These old-school-type traditional houses all have basements. These days, the basement is not such in trending due to several reasons. But the houses built on old structures have basements.
When some plumbing fixture in your house is clogged, it will simply trouble you alone, not the whole house. But when your basement drain is not working, it can cause chaos because the drainage system of the whole house is linked to the floor drain of the basement, since it is the one that will wash out all the wastewater. And when that system is disrupted, you can imagine the disaster it could bring. How to handle such a problem? Keep reading.
What causes a blocked floor drain in the basement?
When something is wrong with the plumbing in your house, don’t forget to check your basement. Here are some causes of blockage:
Taproots:
If you are facing difficulty with the basement floor drain, then one reason could be the taproots sneaking in the underground pipes in your backyard. The houses built on old structures having a tree around could cause this issue. Because old trees have their roots widespread under the ground.
Waste material:
Simple waste materials like dirt, hair, soap waste could also cause blockage.
Wash basin tub:
Maybe you don’t have a wash basin tub in your house, but if it’s there, so is the trouble. The wash basin tub is to soak the clothes. And it can often back up with debris.
Bad odor:
If your basement floor drain smells bad then it means you have a dry p-trap. If the p-trap is dry, it can cause various gases to fill up which produces bad smells. Putting enough water like 4-5 gallons will soak the p-trap and clear the drain too.
Problems with blocked basement drain:
What if you go down to your basement to find something that you haven’t been able to find everywhere else in the house, but when you step into the basement, you are in ankle-length standing water? Gross, right?
Here is what this standing water can do if not treated immediately:
Cause damage to a house built:
The basement is located under your house and it is supposed to drain away all the used water. Basement drains are built on the floor and they are cemented. This is why it can get easily clogged if not cleaned on regular basis or not installed in the right place. So when this drain is not working, it causes pooling water in the basement, which damages the walls because it is the foundation of the house. Your whole house could get affected by the sewage including all the floors and walls.
Weaken the foundation of the house:
Sewage could make your house weak and prone to damage. If you don’t pay attention to the standing water then it could end up flooding your house. But even if it is not that much water, then still it can cause enough damage if not taken care of on an urgent basis. Since the basement is located at the bottom of the house, it is the reason your house is standing strong. But, with a clogged drain in the basement, this foundation could be weak and make your house fragile to face upcoming disasters.
Cause sickness with the mold build-up:
Continuous standing water in the basement could be the reason for mold building up in your house. And different kinds of mold could be dangerous for health in a different ways. So, if you want to keep yourself and your house healthy, then clear the blocked basement drain now.
DIY tips to unclog the blocked basement drain:
The basement drain is built on the floor. It is different from other drains. If your floor is inclined and the drain is located on the sloppy side, then there are fewer chances of standing water. But if it is the opposite, then you can even face the standing water in the basement without having a clogged drain too. But, when it is clogged, there is still a lot you can do to help.
Not everything needs professional assistance. Many minor issues occur at the house all the time. Rather it is electrical, mechanical, or plumbing. And small problems like clogged drains can be handled carefully on your own. But don’t try any of this if you are not sure of how to do it, otherwise, you will just end up with worse. Here’s how to unclog your blocked basement drain with some DIY hacks:
Point to ponder:
When you find out that your basement floor drain needs cleaning or unclogging, then it is time to do action. Before trying any trick, the first thing you should know is to open the drain cover. You might need a screwdriver and hammer to open the drain. It depends on the build of your drain, either it is just screwed down, or cemented in the floor.
Plunging:
Plunger usually works for clogged drains well. So, if your basement floor drain is acting up, you need to try a plunger. A few pumps with a strong hand over the clogged drain, and will clear all the debris that’s causing the clogging. Plunger usually does the trick. You maybe find it gross working with unclogging the drain by yourself, but it will be worth trying if any of the DIY hacks work. Because it could save you a lot of money that you would have to pay if you call plumbing professionals.
Snaking:
Snaking is also known as cabling. And it is one of the cheapest yet most effective methods to clear the blocked drain, rather it is the kitchen sink or basement floor drain. When you call professionals, they would also prefer snaking if you opt for the cheapest way. But you can try it at home too.
What you need is a long metal wire, that could go down the drain far enough to the blockage. But before inserting the wire down the drain, you need to turn the end of the wire to form a hook, so when you feel the blockage, you could pull back the wire to take out all the debris or anything else that’s causing the blockage.
Baking soda and vinegar:
Baking soda is one of the great saviors when it comes to the little troubles we face in our everyday routine. It solves more problems than you think. And one of the issues that can be resolved with the help of baking soda, is a clogged drain. So if you have baking soda and white vinegar at home, then there is no need to worry about anything.
If the plunger or snaking doesn’t work, it might mean that the blockage is a little too far down. In that case, you can try pouring down some baking soda followed by enough amount of white vinegar. It works like acid and will clear your drain after sitting for some time.
Call the professionals
Sometimes, it’s like we are having a bad time. When that happens, you might face more than one problem at a time. And this means that you will not be able to solve the problems on your own. You are trying hard to work with one of the DIY techniques, but it doesn’t seem to work. If that is the situation t your end, it means the problem is complicated to be solved by DIY hacks. And it is the time when only specialists and professional equipment could help you.
If none of the above hack work, then the situation is out of your hand and you need to seek professional assistance. So don’t wait for things to get worse, and take action immediately.
How much does it cost to unblock the basement drain?
You know how hard is it to handle the plumbing issues because you are now restricted to use water. And there are not many chores at home that can be done without water. So, if your kitchen sink gets clogged, it creates a whole lot of tension. Even if the toilet flush is backing up water, that’s even grosser and shower tub backup water could also give you creeps.
Do you ever imagine what happens if your basement drain gets clogged? Because basement drain blockage could cause another level of stress for you. And if you have ever experienced this trouble ever before, then you would know what I am talking about. So, when you see your basement has standing water, then it is not time for you to freak out because it wouldn’t do much but make you frustrated.
You can try all these DIY hacks mentioned above, as they will save you the money you need to spend to get rid of that standing water. But if none of the above works, or you don’t know how to handle it, then it is time for you to call someone who knows what to do.
And when you call professionals, you should keep in mind the estimate of around $75-$150, so keep that kind of amount ready when you have such an issue. If you keep cleaning your drain on regular basis then it could help save you the cost of unclogging drains frequently.
Getting help from professional plumbers and high-tech tools:
Seeking assistance from professionals is mandatory when you are unable to solve the problem on your own. And that is exactly why there are professional plumbing services because not everything can be handled at home.
Finding the right plumbing services near you is also a task. You should be aware of the reputation and services of the company. Otherwise, you will regret it later, after paying a lot of money. The company you hire must be clear about its services and price packages.
When hiring a professional plumbing company, there are a few things that you need to know:
They have qualified staff:
The first and most important thing about the company is that they must have qualified and experienced staff. Experience matters the most when it comes to any job. If they are qualified to do the job and have experience, then you won’t have to rectify the problem and suggest the solution for them, instead, they will inspect the problem and recommend the cheapest yet effective solution for you.
The company is certified:
The company needs to be authentic because if they are not, it could be dangerous in many ways. You cannot just let anyone enter your house. And if the company is authentic, only then you will be able to get the guaranteed service.
They have professional equipment
The company must have availability of high-tech tools. If they have the latest equipment, then the inspection, identification, and solution will be easier and long-term. Professional high-tech tools help provide services like hydro jetting, video camera inspection, and rooter services. And these services make it easier and quicker to resolve the plumbing problem.
They can be trusted:
The company needs to be authentic and should be trusted. Drain Express is trusted for 20 years and we have our official address and all other details mentioned on our website. So, this is how you know whether the company could be trusted or not.
We work 24 hours a day:
The success of a company is mostly defined by its availability. And Drain Express is available 24/7 for their clients. Plumbing problems could rise at any time, and most of the time, it is the kind of problem that cannot wait. So, you need to get it fixed on an urgent basis. And this is why we provide our services 24 hours a day to make it easier for our clients.
Contact Drain Express:
Now that you know how Drain Express can help you, if you need anything, you can come to us. And we will make it easier for you. Anytime, any day, whenever you need us, we are just a call away.
Drain Express is the right option for you if you are looking for a plumbing company near you. If you need more information about us or want to avail of our services, you can reach us here:
Contact Details
Email: info@drainexpress.ca
Phone:
+1 416 752 5959
Our Location
300 New Toronto St #14,
Etobicoke, ON, M8V 2E8
