What kind of drain do I need for my basement?

3. Floor Drains. Floor drains are most often installed during original construction, often in the utility area, to drain away excess water in the basement. The concrete floor around the drain gently slopes towards it, encouraging water to collect there and drain out.

Why is a condensate pump line into a drain a problem?

why would a condensate pump line into a drain be a problem when the pump has a check valve which allows no back leakage of gas or water and if the drain ever clogged, it would back up either way anyhow Interesting question Anon.

Where to put a submersible sump pump in a basement?

A submersible sump pump is placed in a collection pit located below floor level. Most pits are approximately two feet wide and one-and-a-half feet deep, although pits up to three feet deep can be installed if groundwater is a problem in your area.

Is the air conditioner drain above the ground?

Yes. We actually poured water in the pan and it flowed into the hole just fine. You can also tell that the pan is at a higher point inside the house than where the drain on the outside is. The primary drain flowing outside is about 12″ from the ground and the primary drain at the air handler is about 3 feet above the ground.

When to use a condensate pump in a basement?

If you have a drain near by (floor drain or washing machine riser), you can use that instead but make sure you include an air gap. Condensate pumps should be a last resort as they can fail. About the only spot I would use them in a basement where you need to pump up hill.

Can a floor drain be installed in a basement?

Con: Difficult to install an effective floor drain in existing basements. Unlike in new construction, in which a concrete contractor would simply design the floor with a gentle slope toward the drain, existing basement floors are typically made to be level—in other words, water will not naturally run toward the drain.

What to do if you have a sewer smell in your basement?

If you detect sewer smell in the basement, chances are that your P-trap is dry and needs refreshing. To solve your basement floor drain problem, you can buy Mr.Clean or another effective cleaning solution that gives off a nice scent. If you don’t have Mr.Clean at home, you can pour a few gallons of water to clean the drains.

What does it mean when your basement is full of water?

It typically means the house drain under your basement floor is full of water. That can mean a rainstorm has surcharged the drain system, or even the public sewer system. If there hasn’t been a recent heavy rain, then there is probably a main line clog.

What causes a sewer line to back up in the basement?

Backed up sewer line in basement problems are much more complicated to diagnose than one may think. First of all, the point of the back up frequently is not related to the point of the clog or pipe defect. Water under pressure, such as from a sewer back up, seeks the easiest and lowest point to escape.

Why is water coming into my basement?

The biggest reason for water seeping through the basement floor is that the soil around the house has too much water in it. This can happen during long periods of rain when the ground becomes oversaturated with water. This water in the soil creates pressure on your basement wall and floor.

How do you clean a basement floor drain?

Here are a few basement plumbing tips when it comes to floor drains: Clean your drains regularly. Clear them of visible debris and use an old toothbrush to scrub away substances and any dirt you see off the edges. To further clean your drain, pour a bucket of boiling water down and wait 15 minutes.

Why is my floor drain backing up?

The reason that your floor drain backs up or has standing water in it is because it is the lowest opening in the house for the waste piping system. Water coming up out of the floor drain is the result when one of the pipes under the basement floor and beyond are obstructed.

What is a basement drain?

A basement drain diverts the water away from areas where it can cause damage to walls, carpets, or other belongings. The groundwater drains by gravity into a sump pit, and is discharged out of the house by a sump pump.