If you have a basement, it probably has a floor drain in it. A floor drain is necessary so water can drain out of the basement in case it backs up or water seeps in from the rain. Just like any drain in your house, the floor drain can get clogged. Here are signs of problems with floor drains and how plumbers deal with them.
The Floor Drain Emits Foul Odors
The drain in your basement floor should always have water in it. That's because the drain has a P-trap just like the drains underneath your bathroom and kitchen sink. The P-trap holds water and creates a plug that keeps sewer gases from wafting up the drain. If the water evaporates from the drain, sewer gases will infiltrate your basement and fill it with sewer odors.
The fix for this problem is simple since all you have to do is pour water down the drain so the trap fills up again. This also gives you the chance to test the drain to make sure water drains properly and that there are no signs of clogging that need the attention of a plumber.
The Floor Drain Gurgles Or Is Slow
If the floor drain is slow to empty or you hear gurgling noises, that could mean there is a clog building. You might try pouring hot water down the drain and using a plunger to break up the clog. Since the drain is on the floor of your basement, it can get clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris.
If you have a drain snake, you might use it to see if you can pull debris out of the drain and get it to empty faster. If the drain is still slow, call a plumber for assistance.
The Floor Drain Overflows
When the floor drain is completely clogged off, water can back up the drain. Depending on where the clog is located, sewage might even back up on the basement floor. This is a problem you want to avoid at all costs, and that's one reason you should try to clear a clog when you first notice signs of a slow drain.
Plumbers clear clogs with drain augers or hydro jets. Your plumber will select the best equipment for the job and get the drain cleared as quickly as possible so you don't have to live in fear of sewage and water spilling on the basement floor.
If you rarely go down in your basement, you may want to go down every few months and check the floor drain. Look for water rings on the floor that signal the drain has been overflowing. Call a plumber if necessary rather than wait until the drain clogs off.
For more information on plumbing, contact a company like Countryside.