View Full Version : Help basement drain backing up sewage
jordan_5
Nov 10, 2011, 04:18 PM
Hi my name is jordan I just bought a house and three days into owning the house I have noticed my basement drain backing up and over flowing onto the floor in times of heavy water usage . At the start there was just what looked like toilet paper. I tried just plugging the hole which worked for a day but then I had brown stuff come out of my basement shower after seeing this I took the cap off the floor drain and sewage started coming up the drain. Any ideas on how to fix this besides just getting a snake or is that what I need ? It should be noted that the water does drain fine in times of slow water usage ( flushing the toilet). Any thoughts and or answers would be gratly appreciated.
ma0641
Nov 10, 2011, 05:29 PM
YUK. Yes, you have a partial blockage somewhere after the floor drain. Get a power auger and run it out as far as possible. I'd also pour some bleach on the floor after the blockage has been cleared.
ballengerb1
Nov 10, 2011, 05:44 PM
I am sure we can help you but 3 days after closing is still a perfect time to go after the previous owner. He had to know about this and failure to disclose a known defect is not allowed with a home sale. If the clog backs into the basement then the line is blocked between that floor drain and downstream out to the street. Look closely into the drain and see if there isn't a square nut up along one side, if so that's a trap bypass for rodding.