I have a floor drain next to my furnace in an unfinished part of the basement where most water will drain to. I had some water come in the finished part of the basement from an exterior source and had to tear up the wood laminate flooring. To my surprise, I found a second floor drain in a separate room. Th drain was filled with sediment and I figured it was a relic and unused.

But when my washer started it's drain cycle, I noticed a small amount of water coming in horizontally from a pipe that met this new-found drain, and then immediately draining back out. IS this some type of overflow drain? If so, when it kicks in, does that mean I have some blockage elsewhere?


Secondly, is it OK to cover this drain and cut off any air venting? Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks!

It sounds like you have a second floor drain in your basement, Nothing more.

when my washer started it's drain cycle, I noticed a small amount of water coming in horizontally from a pipe that met this new-found drain, and then immediately draining back out. This tells me that you have a partial blockage downstream of the floor draon. Sounds like you're a candidate for "Flood Guards" (see image) Check them out at; PlumbingSupply.com - Flood Guards For Floor Drains - check valves to prevent flooding (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/floodguard.html)


is it OK to cover this drain and cut off any air venting? By "cover" do you mean floor it over or cement it in?>

I was just confused as the water drains the same way it came in. I thought this might be some kind of vent or overflow for the other drain?

I was looking for some guidance there. As you can imagine there is a substantial dip around where the drain exists. There would be a large hump in the flooring around this area. I wasn't sure if the fact that the water enters and exits the drain basin from the same pipe made any difference in that regard. What would you recommend?

I was just confused as the water drains the same way it came in. I thought this might be some kind of vent or overflow for the other drain?
No! This is simply a second floor drain.
I wasn't sure if the fact that the water enters and exits the drain basin from the same pipe made any difference in that regard.
Again, you drain a fixture and the water drains past the floor drain, runs into a minor blockage and backs up a bit into the floor drain. Then, not being a complete blockage the water drains away. That's what's happening here.

What would you recommend?
If were me I'd snake out the floor drain that's backing up. The blockage can only grow worse.
If you've had backup out of your floor drains in the past I would install the Flood Guards.
Good luck, Tom