Floor Drain Maintenance Tips

In the family of indoor plumbing, people often overlook floor drains. But floor drains can become clogged just like any other drain. In fact, they become clogged more often than many types of drains because they’re on the floor where dirt and debris collect. That debris often finds its way inside the drain. In fact, lots of people sweep their floors and sweep the dirt right into the floor drain. Please don’t do that!

Since they are often ignored, most homeowners don’t think about floor drain maintenance until it’s too late. Many issues with floor drains can be avoided with some pre-planning and simple care. Following these easy basement and commercial floor drain maintenance tasks will ensure that your floor drains will do their job when you need them to.

What Is a Floor Drain?

The humble floor drain captures overflow from sinks, toilets, tubs, rain, and more, then directs it safely to a sewer or municipal storm drain so that the floor stays dry and rooms don't flood.

Floor drains are installed in any place where fast, efficient water drainage is needed. They resemble the drains you see in bathtubs and showers since they’re flush with the surface. It’s common to see floor drains in:

• Basement floors
• Garages
• Laundry rooms
• Older bathroom floors
• Patios and driveways
  
  

Our Best Basement Floor Drain Maintenance Tips

Want to stop your basement floor drain from being clogged? Follow these maintenance tips.

Fill Traps Often

If you have floor drains in your home or business and you smell foul odors coming from them, it’s because the traps have dried out. You see, floor drains have one of those U-shaped P-trap pipes just like your bathroom sink drain. That U-shaped pipe is designed to hold water, which stands in the pipe and prevents sewer gases from coming up through the drain.

If you smell sewer gas, here’s what to do: 

1. Grab a bucket of water and start pouring it into the floor drain.
2. Ideally, pour at least five gallons of water into the drain.
3. The water will fill the trap, forming a barrier between your home and your sewer system.

This will not only seal off sewer gases, but it will also let you see if the drain is working properly. If it’s clogged, it won’t be able to do its job when called upon.

We also recommend using a drain maintenance and clog prevention treatment like Roto-Rooter Pipe Shield once a month.

Clear Clogs Immediately

Many different types of debris collect on your floor, from pet hair to dust bunnies. All of it runs the risk of potentially clogging a floor drain. The first sign of a drain clogging is if it is draining slowly. If you catch the clog early on, clean it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of flooding. Follow these steps:

1. Typically, a few strong pumps with a plunger can clear that minor clog.
2. If not, try pouring a solution of baking soda and vinegar down the drain.
3. Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out stubborn debris.
4. If you have a drain auger, feed the cable into the drain until you meet resistance, then turn the cable and try to reel back whatever is clogging the drain.
   
   

Make Cleaning Your Floor Drain a Routine

At least once each quarter, check your drains for debris and clear them. You can do this by:

• Removing the drain cover and clearing away any visible debris or hair.
• Pouring a kettle of hot (not boiling) water down the drain to loosen buildup.
• Using a safe, liquid drain cleaner.
• Using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to help break down grime and neutralize odors.
• Scrubbing the drain cover with soap and a brush before replacing it.

If your drains haven't been cleaned in a while, have a professional plumber from your local Roto-Rooter do the job for you.

Our Final Commercial Floor Drain Maintenance Tip — Regular Professional Inspections and Cleaning

If sewer gas is a problem and your floor drains don’t get much water flowing into them, be sure to refill the traps about once a month. And at least twice a year, you should really give that drain a workout. If it appears to be clogged or slow, take steps to remove the clog. Use a crank snake and see if you can reach the clog.

But because floor drains are often connected by long pipes, the hand auger may not reach all the way through the pipe. It’s a good idea to call a sewer and drain cleaning company like Roto-Rooter to clean it out professionally. Schedule professional drain cleanings annually to prevent clogs and keep your drains running.

FAQs About Floor Drain Maintenance

How often should floor drains be cleaned?

You should clean your floor drain at least once a year to prevent the buildup of debris, soap scum, and other materials. In high-use areas, like basements or laundry rooms, cleaning every six months is a good practice.

Is it necessary to clean a basement floor drain?

Yes, basement floor drains collect water from appliances, sump pumps, or even heavy rainfall, so they can get clogged with dirt and debris over time.

What’s the best way to clean a floor drain?

Start by removing the drain cover and clearing visible debris. Then, flush the drain with hot water and a mild cleaning solution. For stubborn clogs, you may need to use a plumber’s snake or a professional drain cleaning service.

How often should water be added to a floor drain?

If a floor drain isn’t used often, the trap can dry out and allow sewer gases into your home. Add a few cups of water along with a little mineral oil every month to keep the trap sealed and slow evaporation.