A floor drain is an outlet for water; it is necessary in rooms where water generally flows on the floor (for example, a bathroom or laundry room). The main purpose of basement floor drains is to drain the water around them.
A floor drain is mostly round in shape, but it can also be designed as a square or a rectangle. A basement drain needs to have a strainer on top to prevent objects other than water (like hair) to fall into the drain. When filled with dirt, it can lead to the clogging of pipes and the floor drain backing up.
There are various types of basement floor drains:
- Box-shaped drains: These are rectangular in shape and are usually made up of concrete.
- Baseboard drains: It is a permanent fixture that consists of a drain pipe epoxied on the floor. This drain has a small opening on the top to collect the water.
- Foundation drains: These systems consist of pipes that are installed under the foundation to collect water and transfer it away from the home.
- French drains: This drainage system basically consists of a ditch in the ground and houses a perforated pipe that is covered in a fabric that is water-permeable.
Why Do We Need To Change The Floor Drain?
Floor drains need to be changed especially when they are leaking. Any kind of water leak can cause damage to the structure of the building.
Pipes function well for a certain period of time but extending their use beyond a point can lead to cracks in the pipes. Slime can accumulate over time due to running water or foreign objects being trapped in pipes.
How Often Should Basement Floor Drains Be Cleaned?
It is ideal to clean floor drains at least twice a year. Floor drains must be checked for trapped hair or any other items like fur if you have pets.
In order to avoid developing a clogged basement floor drain, you can use a solution of baking soda and vinegar or alternate products which are available at your local supermarket.
Things To Consider While Replacing A Floor Drain In Basement
The Shape Of The Drain
Floor drains are either square in shape or round. The type you select will depend mainly on the shape of the hole in the drain.
You can also choose the shape of the drain based on the aesthetics of the room. Modern floor drains are designed in such a way that they allow water to flow through easily, trap debris and make cleaning easy.
Drain Hole’s Size
The size of a drain hole varies between 4 to 12 inches. The first thing to do is to measure the size of the hole.
It is recommended to choose a drain with a sieve that has an adequate number of holes that are small in size. This way all the floating debris is captured when the water passes through it.
Type Of Edges Of The Drain
A floor drain with a flat cut has flat edges. These flat edges make the floor drain installation easier and do not necessarily require a professional’s assistance. Such drains just need to be inserted in the correct position and fixed in place using an adhesive like cement.
On the other hand, a floor drain with a collar has edges that are curved and need to be installed by cutting the marble or the material of the floor. Such drains are more durable when inserted into the floor.
Insect Trap
This is basically a structure with three layers: a drain jail, an inner, and an outer cup. Each of these cups holds some amount of water. This layer of water is what acts as a barrier and prevents insects like cockroaches from crawling onto your floor from the drain.
Material Of The Drain
Drains that are inserted on the floor are usually manufactured using steel. In basement bathrooms, where there is always some contact with water from condensation, the drain is made from stainless steel to prevent rusting and corrosion.