How To Unclog A Basement Floor Drain (With A Garden Hose!)
Have you noticed a periodic backup of water around your floor drain? It’s probably partially blocked. Unfortunately, it’s not going to get better.
It needs to be cleared out. But if you’re someone who enjoys do-it-yourself plumbing, here’s how to unclog basement floor drains using a simple garden hose!
Let’s get started.
What is a Floor Drain?
A floor drain is a drain pipe located on the floor of a residential or commercial structure and connected to a sewer line. Its function is to prevent flooding by allowing excess water on the floor to flow out of the building.
For example, because a water heater’s tank holds many gallons of water, it is almost always located next to a floor drain. So, if the tank bursts, the water will go down the drain, minimizing any flooding and or water damage to the home.
Types of Floor Drains
There are 2 different types of floor drains; wastewater and groundwater.
Wastewater floor drains, because they are attached to the sewer line, need to be trapped and vented. This is to prevent harmful sewer gasses from entering the home. Usually, wastewater floor drains are inside the home. A basement floor drain is one example of a wastewater floor drain.
Groundwater floor drains are for situations in which a sewer line is not present. However, they can require more maintenance due to the amount of debris that can get into them. A French drain is a type of groundwater floor drain.
How to Unclog Basement Floor Drain
For floor drains like those in basements, a garden hose can often do the same job as an auger in clearing out a blockage. Here’s how to do it:
- Remove the strainer (grate) or lid from the basement floor drain
- Attach the hose to a nearby faucet (perhaps your laundry’s utility sink). Sometimes a “threaded adapter” is needed to connect a garden hose with a sink or bathroom faucet.
- Push the hose into the drain and pack rags around it (to prevent water from back-flowing and gasses from coming into the home).
- Have someone help you by turning on (at full force) the water, and then turning it off. Do this repeatedly to create quick bursts (or surges) of water into drain until the blockage is cleared.
If That’s Not Working…
Try the following if the surge of water you’re creating does not have enough pressure to clear the clog. The problem could be that the rags are not sealing the hole enough to create a lot of water pressure against the clog. So, you need to buy a better “seal.”
Go to a plumbing supply store, and ask for an inexpensive rubber device called a drain cleaning water bladder. It resembles a hose nozzle and often has a hose attachment. When the water is turned on, the device will expand against the drainpipe so that the full force of water is directed into the drain.
CAUTION: Never leave the hose in any drain. If water pressure should drop suddenly and drastically (rare, but possible), sewage could be drawn back into the fresh-water system.
Final Thoughts
Who knew a garden hose could be so handy and versatile? Now that you know how to unclog basement floor drains — with a little help from a friend and some rags — you should be able to save money and keep a flooded basement from creating water damage to your home.
Keep in mind, if the hose doesn’t work, you can try a manual or power auger. And if that still fails to clear the blockage, a trusted plumber is just a phone call away.
Related Resources
- Why did my basement floor drain backup?
- How to minimize flood damage
- Where is my main water shutoff valve?
- Downspout cleanouts: a step-by-step guide
- Sewer lines: the essential homeowner’s guide
- Camera line inspection? What’s wrong with your sewer pipe?
- What causes a broken sewer line?
- Where is my sewer line cleanout?
- How to loosen a stuck cleanout plug
- Water damage services
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help unclogging your floor drains.
1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
