Floor Drain Maintenance Tips

Floor drains are vital in preventing water damage, leaking and smells from forming in your house. Doing a little maintenance will ensure that they continue to work properly and you save on any costs for repairs in the future.

Use these tips to keep your floor drains free from clogs and debris and to keep your home dry and odors away.

Understanding Floor Drains

Floor drains are surface drains that eliminate standing water. They are typically found in areas of your home and property where water will build-up (i.e., basements, laundry rooms, garages, older bathrooms, patios, and driveways).

Inside the house, floor drains handle spills and overflow of water from appliances (i.e., washing machines, water heaters, sinks).

Outside, floor drains deal with excess rainwater and melted snow to drain them from the property and avoid flooding.

How Do They Work?

Floor drains are an important part of the home drainage system which drains water to either a sewer or a commercial storm drain. The P-trap is a U-shaped piece of pipe that has water in it, which forms a seal and minimizes sewer gas and odor from entering the home.

If the P-trap is not used regularly (think of a guest bathroom), then eventually large amounts of water will evaporate and produce an opening to which sewer gas can escape. Pouring water into the floor drain occasionally will restore the seal.

Common Floor Drain Problems

Clogs and Debris Buildup

Over time, floor drains can become clogged with dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris—especially if these materials are swept into the drain during cleaning. This buildup restricts water flow and can eventually block the drain entirely.

Sewer Odors and Dry Traps

A sewer gas odor is caused by a P-trap that has failed. A dry trap normally occurs in drains that are not frequently used. For instance, basement or garage drains may not be used frequently.

Slow Draining Water

Slow drainage typically indicates a partial blockage. Dealing with this type of problem early may help prevent a total blockage and flooding, so don’t ignore slow drainage!

Flooding and Water Damage

Poorly maintained floor drains can cause water to back up, leading to flooding in the affected area. Flooded areas can damage floors, walls, and personal belongings which may require costly repairs.

Floor Drain Maintenance Tips

1. Fill Drain Traps Regularly

On average you should fill each floor drain once a month with approximately a gallon of water. This ensures the P-trap is full and that sewer gas does not escape into your home.

To test a floor drain, pour a bucket of water into it. If the water drains easily, your drain is working properly.

2. Clean Drains Quarterly

To prevent a build-up of debris and ultimately a clog, you should clean your floor drains every three months. To clean a drain you remove its cover. Make sure to remove any kind of debris on top of the floor drain.

If you removed what you could but your floor drain is still partially clogged or blocked, a plumber’s snake may be used. If you choose to do this please pay attention, and you can try to use normal household products to clean your floor drains, such as baking soda/vinegar. Do not use chemical drain cleaners. Their focus is to ruin your pipes and they may not interrupt the clog anyway.

3. Address Clogs Immediately

The sooner you treat a clog, the less likely it is to become a larger problem.

• Plunger: A few good pumps can usually remove a minor clog.
• Drain Auger/Snake: A drain auger/snake is a tool that is inserted into the drain. . Insert the cable, a little at a time, into the drain, and twist the cable to grab what is blocking and pull out.
• Homemade Drain Cleaner: Pour half-cup baking soda and half-cup vinegar down the blocked drain. After sitting for 30 minutes, pour boiling water down the drain.

4. Prevent Debris from Entering Drains

Preventing stuff from going down or stuck in your floor drains can minimize the chances of a clog developing. Using a drain cover or strainer will collect dirt, hair, and any other debris that may block the drain. Also, avoid sweeping any debris into the floor drain. 

DIY vs. Professional Maintenance

When to DIY

Any routine maintenance, including filling traps, minor clogs & issues, and quarterly cleanings, can be done with DIY. A plunger, plumber’s snake, and common household items (baking soda & vinegar are good items to have) will easily manage minor clogs.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional if you have a clog or issue that reoccurs, if you have sewer smells, or if you have issues that cannot be addressed with DIY methods. Having a plumber perform drain cleaning once a year is a good preventative measure to ensure your drains are clean and working.

Seasonal Maintenance Checklist

Seasonal maintenance will allow floor drains to function properly through the year.

• Spring: Check and clean drains after a snow melt, or heavy rain.
• Summer: Check outdoor drains after storms.
• Fall: Remove leaves and debris from outdoor drains to avoid clogs.
• Winter: Make sure indoor drains are working to account for any leaks or water heater problems. Make sure outdoor drains are also free of debris, and insulated to avoid freezing. Frozen drains can back water up and flood!

Conclusion

Taking care of your floor drains is an easy way to help reduce clogs, odors, and repair costs from water damage. You can do simple maintenance such as keeping water in your P-trap, cleaning out the debris, and taking care of clogs quickly. This will protect you from future costly damage.