Few things are as frustrating as clogged floor drains. They cause flooding with water that is foul and filthy. It can get bad enough that the space becomes unusable. The objects in the vicinity may also suffer from water damage. Homeowners often get desperate to solve the problem, but this situation often persists without outside help.
This is because what’s happening to the floor drain is only a symptom. The real cause can be found much deeper inside the plumbing system. No matter how much you try to clean the area around the drain, you will not find relief as you need a more comprehensive approach.
Why Is My Floor Drain Backing Up?
Contents
Below are some of the common causes of for clogged floor drains:
Clogged Drain Lines
There are drain lines all around the home that connect the drains to the sewers. If these get clogged up with trash, hair, oil clumps, or other objects, then water will not to able to flow as it should to the sewer. Liquid will simply build up along the lines until they reach the lowest drain the house. This is typically the basement floor drain or a ground-level drain in the bathroom. At first, you might see the water draining slower than usual when you take a shower. After a while, it will refuse to drain at all. The backup will only get worse. When you notice this issue, be sure to call Robinson Plumbing right away.
Sewer Line Clogs
Sometimes the problem goes a bit deeper, and one has to reach the sewer level to resolve the issue. Clogs can happen anywhere, including the sewer lines. The same mechanism applies except that the distance from the cause to the effect is greater. Wastewater will simply not be able to flow as it should down the line, so it will instead find the path of least resistance. This tends to be the nearest release point in the area which is usually a floor drain in a home. Sewer line clogs are typically of a bigger magnitude than drain line clogs. These are hard to reach and require special plumbing tools for removal.
Sewer Line Damage
Clogs are not the only things that can cause a drain backup. It may be that the sewer line has sustained damage over time or through a high-impact incident. For example, surrounding trees might have massive roots that have broken through the sewer line. They can impede or block the flow of wastewater. It could also be the development of holes or cracks along the line. The structure might have also collapsed or sagged due to weakness. Sewer line damage is especially difficult to fix and can cost a larger amount of money compared to clogs.
City Sewer Problem
In rare cases, the problem isn’t with the home itself or the immediate connections to the sewers. It might be further along the system, such as the city sewer. This will probably affect more than one household and force the local government to take action. When this occurs, there are few things that homeowners can do but to wait for the city to come up with a solution. In the meantime, people can activate the backwater valve in their floor drain if they have one. This is not part of the plumbing code, so not every house will have this feature.
How To Prevent Floor Drain Backups
Backups are disruptive and you should avoid them as much as possible. However, not everything is within our control, but we can reduce the risk. Anything that can cause clogs should not be permitted to get into the plumbing system. Placing strainers on every drain and clean them regularly. Regular cleaning by a professional plumber is also a good idea. If backups do happen, then call expert plumbers right away for reliable solutions.
Call Robinson Plumbing For All Of Your Plumbing Needs
For reliable plumbing services, contact Robinson Plumbing, one of the Lehigh Valley’s most trusted plumbing companies.
Our plumbing services range from water leak detection and repairs, clogged drains, to the installation of water-efficient plumbing fixtures. For any plumbing repairs, we always offer a wide range of solutions whenever possible. This way, you can choose the option that works best for your budget and family.
We are proud to offer the best and most affordable plumbing services in the area. All of our plumbers have the proper licenses and experience to ensure your satisfaction. All of our work is guaranteed. Call Robinson Plumbing today to schedule a free estimate.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!