Where Do Basement Floor Drains Go?
There are many places that require basement floor drains. Some of the most common ones are small businesses like auto servicing, manufacturing companies, printers, or dry cleaners.
On the other hand, basement floor drains aren’t a point of interest until an emergency or a sewer back up happens. So… before that happens maybe it’s best to ask yourself, where does my basement floor drain even go?
What most people don’t know is that their home basement floor drains are usually directly tied to the sewer system of the whole house. In some houses, they even run directly into a sump pit from which the water is lifted to the exterior surface with a pump.
How basement floor drains are designed
Basement floors are always installed at the lowest point within the basement floor. Its main purpose is to function as a leaking water outlet from water heaters, HVAC unit condensation, or potential heavy rain seepage. Sometimes the drain can be connected with the sewer system, meaning that it can drain washing machines, basement laundry sinks, or water softeners.
Some houses have a basement floor drain that is only connected to a sump pit because according to local ordinances, it’s not allowed to drain chemicals, salts, or detergents through the water. The basement floor drain can also be connected to a sewer pit that has an ejector pump, in which case it can drain fluid from the sink and washing machines.
Basement floor drains traps
The trap is designed to stop any sewer gas from going back into your home. The trap is similar to those that can be found in bathtubs, sinks, and showers. In most cases, the trap is designed in the form of an extended area that always holds water. When gasses from the sewer start going up towards the house, the water will prevent it from going further.
If you take a look at your basement floor drain, you’ll probably be able to see its grill, which is on the visible end. All the other parts are buried underneath your basement floor aren’t visible from your position.
What happens if the basement floor drain gets clogged?
If your drain gets clogged, you’ll soon start smelling sewer stench and water won’t be able to properly travel through it. In this case, the drain needs to be cleaned as soon as possible using a drain tool. All floor drains have a built-in area through which the trap can be bypassed, and gives you access to insert the tool into the drain.
This separate opening has a plug which also holds gases. After it’s removed, the gases will also come into the house from there. This is why after quickly cleaning the drain you need to replace the plug with a new one, to make sure that it doesn’t let through any gasses.
Overall, basement floor drains have a vital function in your home. Depending on the drain they can lead to different places. If you’re in need of any basement floor drain maintenance or simply just have a few questions, call up the experts at A-1 Tank!