If you have ever lived in a house with a basement, you would know the fantasy. Basements are different from the whole house. And they react to everything differently too. You might have noticed your basement is a little colder than the rest of the house.
And you also might see your basement walls molded at some points. This could happen when you have sewerage issues in your house.
Basements might not be that common in houses these days, but there are still many houses, built with old structures, and they have basements. And when you have a basement, it means there is a basement drain, which is responsible to stream all the dirty water out of the house safely.
The purpose of basement drains:
If there is a basement in your house, you would know what the basement drain looks like. Basements always have floor drains, cemented ones. The ones you mostly see in public restrooms, or your shower area, if there is no bathtub. So, the purpose behind this kind of basement drains is to drain out all the excess water that is been overflowing from your toilet, laundry, or kitchen sink.
That means the water is being used all around your house. Whenever there is excess water, it moves down and the basement drains safely throw it out to the main sewage line, without making any disaster.
But, for this purpose, it is very important to install the basement drain carefully, because mostly faulty installation could cause damage. And even if it is installed fine, then there are also chances of the basement drain clogged with mud. And when that happens, you can suffer from a lot of trouble and it will seem like being impossible to stay in the house, with the smell, sewage, and flooded water.
This is why it is very important to clean your basement drain from time to time.
Why do dirt and mud appear in drain pipes?
Dirt and mud appearing in drain pipes could cause the whole house to suffer. Because the basement drain is linked with the drain pipes of the rest of the house. But, why do even the basement drain clogged with dirt and mud? Let’s take a look at the most common reasons behind dirt and mud appearing in drain pipes.
• Old sewage system:
Just like any other thing, your drainage system also gets old. Once you have installed the whole sewage system, that doesn’t mean you are done for life. Instead, you need to keep a check on the issues that might be pointing toward a fault in a drainage system. Because drain pipes get old and get more prone to damage.
And if you don’t change them, or repair them on time, they are unable to do their work. Because a crack could let all the dirt and debris in. And when that keeps happening, you would end up with a clogged drain.
• Tree-roots intrusion:
If there is any historical tree around your house, which has been there for ages. Then be careful about your drainage system. Because that tree’s roots would go long way under your house and look for more places to spread.
And once they find a crack in your drain pipe, they will make their way inside the pipe. And once the roots are in, they grow fast due to the nutrient-rich soil. And you know the result.
• Thunderstorm:
If there is a thunderstorm or just monsoon season at its peak. Your basement drain will have to drain a lot of water, and that’s not the water alone. Some leaves, dirt, debris, and other material would also come with rain water, causing your basement drain to get blocked.
Common signs that your basement drain is clogged with dirt or mud?
If you want to be acknowledged before getting into big trouble, then you should keep watch on these signs which show that your basement drain is clogged:
• Standing water:
This makes it very obvious that your basement floor drain is clogged. But it will happen when the problem is exceeded to be solved at home. And standing water in the basement could make your house flood because none of your wastewater is getting drained.
• Bad odor around the house:
If your basement drain is clogged, then you will be able to smell bad odors all around the house. Because the basement is under your house, and if the basement drain is blocked, then it means that the wastewater of the whole house is not getting drained out. Instead, it is trapped somewhere inside your house, causing a bad odor, and making you suffocate.
• A rise in water level:
If you see your flush water going up and down, then this fluctuating rise means, something is wrong with your drainage.
• Gurgling toilet:
If your toilet makes a gurgling sound while flushing, then you have drain issues. Just like if your shower drain takes more time than normal to drain excess water.
How do you unclog a drain that has dirt or mud in it?
When your basement drain becomes clogged with dirt or mud, it can be stressful, especially when you’re unsure how to address the issue. Taking action quickly is essential to avoid water damage and costly repairs. For those who prefer a hands-on approach, here are practical DIY methods to help clean a clogged basement drain.
Start with Basic Cleaning Tools
Begin by gathering some simple items you might already have at home:
Plunger: Often used for toilets, a plunger can help create enough suction to dislodge the blockage in a basement drain.
Bucket and Gloves: Essential for removing any debris manually if necessary.
Flashlight: To properly inspect the drain.
Steps to Try:
Remove the drain cover and use the flashlight to check for visible debris.
Use gloved hands or a tool to extract any loose dirt or mud.
Place the plunger over the drain and create a tight seal. Push and pull in steady motions to build up pressure and potentially move the clog.
Run a small amount of water to test if the blockage has cleared.
Vinegar and Baking Soda Solution
A natural solution that can break down minor clogs involves using household items like baking soda and vinegar.
Instructions:
Pour about half a cup of baking soda directly into the drain.
Follow with one cup of white vinegar. You’ll notice fizzing as the chemical reaction takes place.
Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes to loosen the buildup.
Flush the drain with boiling water to clear the debris.
This method is eco-friendly and often effective for small to medium blockages.
Use a Drain Snake
For more stubborn clogs, a drain snake (or plumber’s auger) can be your best tool. These are readily available at hardware stores and come in various lengths.
How to Use a Drain Snake?
Insert the snake into the drain and slowly rotate the handle to push the snake further.
When you feel resistance, continue turning to break up or hook the clog.
Pull the snake back out, removing any dislodged material.
Run water to ensure the clog is cleared.
Real Experiences
To give context, here is brief story from homeowners in Toronto who faced similar issues:
A Toronto resident noticed water pooling in his basement after a heavy storm. He used a plunger and combined it with a baking soda and vinegar treatment. The clog, which was mostly dirt and plant debris, cleared after a couple of tries, saving him from calling a professional.
Precautions and Final Tips
Protect Your Eyes and Skin: Always wear gloves and, if using harsh chemicals (though not recommended here), eye protection.
Avoid Pushing Too Hard: If your efforts aren’t yielding results, stop to prevent damage to the pipes.
Schedule an Inspection: If clogs persist, it might indicate a bigger problem that needs expert attention.
DIY methods can often solve simple drainage problems and delay more expensive repairs. However, knowing when to call a professional is just as important for protecting your home and peace of mind.
For further assistance, Drain Express provides expert service throughout Toronto, specializing in stubborn drain issues and full inspections to keep your home safe and dry.
Protect Your Eyes and Skin: Always wear gloves and, if using harsh chemicals (though not recommended here), eye protection.
Avoid Pushing Too Hard: If your efforts aren’t yielding results, stop to prevent damage to the pipes.
Schedule an Inspection: If clogs persist, it might indicate a bigger problem that needs expert attention.
DIY methods can often solve simple drainage problems and delay more expensive repairs. However, knowing when to call a professional is just as important for protecting your home and peace of mind.
For further assistance, Drain Express provides expert service throughout Toronto, specializing in stubborn drain issues and full inspections to keep your home safe and dry.
Why it’s important to work with a professional basement drain clogged specialist?
It is always better for you to call the professionals, instead of getting your hands on it. Because, you might have never experienced a such problem before, and you don’t know how to handle the problem according to its severity.
And above all, if you don’t know what you are doing, then you will end up damaging your pipes, increasing the cost and frustration. So, when you see symptoms, don’t hesitate to call Drain Express.
Drain Express:
Drain Express is a trusted company for over 20 years. We have been providing plumbing services for a long time now. We have a team of specialists, who know how to do their job. They can work efficiently with all sorts of plumbing issues. We have the latest tech and we will use whatever services will be required to inspect and resolve your plumbing issue.
We provide rooter service, hydro jetting, snaking, and video inspection, whenever whatever is necessary. So, if you think that you are unable to sort out the issue, and you don’t even know where is the problem, then don’t worry, we have train professionals and tech for that purpose.
We are always here to resolve your issues. You can seek help from us anytime you need it. When your basement drain clogged with dirt or mud, all you need to do is give us a call, and we will be at your assistance, even if it is day or night. Because we offer our services 24/7.
Contact Drain Express:
If you need us at any time, be aware that we have all kinds of services that can solve your problem, whatever the nature of your problem.
Contact Details
Email: info@drainexpress.ca
Phone:
+1 416 752 5959
Our Location
300 New Toronto St #14,
Etobicoke, ON, M8V 2E8
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