Floor Drains Are a Common Part of Plumbing, So What Is Known About It?

Floor Drains Are a Common Part of Plumbing
When you have plumbing installed in your home or business, it is important to know that all of the water fixtures are connected to an underground drainage system. This ensures that waste water cannot re-enter your living space and is sent to the public sewer for treatment.
Most of us take our floor drains for granted, but they can be one of the most susceptible to clogging or backups. While most clogs can be cleared up by hand using a drain snake or auger, some require professional help.

Generally speaking, there are two types of floor drains: trap and vent. A trap is designed to catch solids while letting liquids run off into the sewer. It is usually a rectangular, round or grid-shaped hole.
The drains sit in the lowest area of a basement and collect standing water that may not naturally drain from the floor, like leaking water heaters or overflowing air conditioner condensate lines. The drain is typically a trench dug at the bottom of the basement floor that sends the water through an underground pipe to a sump pit or the plumbing system.

Some drains have a drain cover or grate that keeps dirt, stray hair and small objects from entering the sewer line and damaging the pump. These grate or cover styles are available in several different sizes and shapes and work with most drainage systems.
A floor drain trap also helps prevent sewer gas from entering your building by preventing odors from escaping to the atmosphere. In addition, it prevents wastewater from re-entering your living space by collecting the water in the trap and allowing it to drain away.