Why Is My Floor Drain Backing Up?
Water damage can be devastating in the home, and plumbing problems are one of the leading causes.
There are all kinds of plumbing issues that a homeowner can experience. Many of these may not seem like a big deal, but plumbing issues don’t resolve themselves. Leaving them unattended will only lead to further problems.
If your floor drain is backing up, for example, you’ll want to deal with it as soon as you can. It can be an urgent issue that if left unattended can cause severe water damage, so you’ll want to contact a company that offers emergency plumbing in Scarborough.
Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of a clogged floor drain. Keep reading for more.
Clogged Drain Lines
Plumbing systems can be pretty complicated, especially in large homes. There are plenty of pipes underground that collect together and once clogged, can cause your floor drain to back up.
Your floor drain is usually in a low point in your home, so this is where any wastewater will start to come up if it can’t flow out of your home to the main drain and sewer line. Water will continue to build up and back up out of your floor drain for as long as it’s clogged.
If a home doesn’t have a floor drain, the water will still flow to the lowest fixtures. These are often ground-level showers, sinks, or bathtubs.
Sewer Line Clogs
While a clogged drain line in a branch of your system can be bad enough, the problem may be even more profound in main drain. Once this is clogged, no wastewater can flow from your home at all!
Similarly to drain lines, the water will continue to back up if it can’t get through a clog. It will eventually flow up and out of the floor drain and/or fixtures located on the lowest level of your home.
Sewer Line Damage
While clogs are the most common issue, your floor drain may be backing up for another reason. It can happen if a branch or the main line is damaged in any way, as this can interrupt the flow. Some common causes of damage are:
- Collapsed pipes
- The sewer line has sagged, bellied
- Tree roots have infiltrated the sewer line through a crack or joint
Similarly to clogs, these issues can cause blockages that prevent wastewater from flowing correctly. It will then back up out of your floor drain.
It’s worth noting that sewer line damage is a far more significant issue than a clog. As such, it will take more work to fix.
Avoiding Floor Drain Backups
It’s important to take care of your plumbing system to prevent such issues. Regular maintenance is ideal, as a professional plumber can inspect your system for signs of any issues. They will be able to spot potential plumbing problems before they develop and deal with them before you end up with a major issue.
Emergency Plumbing in Scarborough
Taking care of your plumbing system will help prevent clogged drains and other issues. You should have maintenance carried out by a professional plumber in Toronto regularly.
If your floor drain is backing up, you’ll want a professional to deal with it immediately. Trouble Shooters Plumbing & Drains offers emergency plumbing in Scarborough 24/7. Call us at 416-291-9444 for an immediate response from a local plumber, or you can schedule a service online.
