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freightman · Mar 22, 2008, 11:11 AM

I have 4 basement drains and I am thinking about sealing them off to avoid flooding. I am having my basement refinished (drywall, new bathroom carpet). Should I seal (concrete) all but one drain and install a plug in the last drain? What about the toilet-can it be plugged? Thanks

ballengerb1 · Mar 22, 2008, 11:50 AM

These are floor drains, correct? If so you can't seal them without installing at least one stand pipe somewhere. With the drains blocked your basement can become a concrete boat when the water table raises during rain, it can apply pressure to the underside of the cement floor and I've seen several that actually exploded from the pressure. One stand pipe as tall as the highest water level ever reached will allow the pressure to become stable.

freightman · Mar 22, 2008, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

These are floor drains, correct? If so you can't seal them without installing at least one stand pipe somewhere. With the drains blocked your basement can become a concrete boat when the water table raises during rain, it can apply pressure to the underside of the cement floor and I've seen several that actually exploded from the pressure. One stand pipe as tall as the highest water level ever reached will allow the pressure to become stable.

Yes, these are floor drains. What is a stand pipe-not familiar with them? Will it prevent flooding?

ballengerb1 · Mar 22, 2008, 02:32 PM

A stand pipe in this case is a PVC or cast iron fit fitted water tight into one of the floor drains. Generally about 36 to 48" tall. When there is waterpressue under your slab the water will rise in the pipe and not in your basement, it prevents flooding. If you had a 48" stand pipe and saw water 1" from the top it tells you how deep the water would have been in your basement if it flooded. Do you have a sump pump or do these drain lines connect to the city sewer.

speedball1 · Mar 22, 2008, 02:56 PM

What is a stand pipe-not familiar with them? Will it prevent flooding?

Bob gave you a explanation of ma stand pipe. If you have anything besides gray water and sewage tied into your drainage system then perhaps you're over loading the system. If you have a raising ground water problem then look into installing a sump pump. Sealing off the system and forcing the backup to build up pressure isn't the smartest thing you can do. Don't attempt to contain the water, get rid of ground water in one of two ways. Passive with a french drain or mechanical with a sump pump. Good luck, Tom

hkstroud · Mar 22, 2008, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by freightman

I am thinking about sealing them off to avoid flooding.

Are you worried about flooding or sewer backup? Have you had any problems in the past with either?

freightman · Mar 23, 2008, 07:44 AM

My basement got flooded in 2004, but that was after 9 inches of rain. I just want to prevent any water coming up from the drains since I'm refinishing my basement. Lived at this residence for 12 years and had water once. I did remove the downspouts (4) from out of the ground-does that help also? Putting down carpet also-should I put carpet over the drains? Do plugs work in the drains?

ballengerb1 · Mar 23, 2008, 08:15 AM

There is no 100% guarantee against basements flooding, plugging drains will not stop the water. I think I asked you but do you have a sump pump and if so is there a back up pump. Are you on city water or private well?

hkstroud · Mar 23, 2008, 08:42 AM

If during the flooding you got water coming up out of the floor drains and removing the down spouts from their pipping caused a change, that would indicate that your floor drains are piped to daylight. It would also indicate the floor drains are also tied to the gutter down spout drainage. That is not a good idea. Unfortunately removing the down spouts from the system means that unless you took some other action, all of the rain water from your roof is going into the ground around you house which is not a good thing.

If this is the situation I would agree with blocking you floor drains. They provide no advantage during a flooding situation. Unfortunately during a situation such as a bursted water pipe or flooding due to a plumbing problem or water coming in around the foundation or footers they will not be there either.

Floor drains provide no benefit,with respect to hydrostatic water under the basement floor.

speedball1 · Mar 23, 2008, 09:18 AM

Let me make a suggestion concerning sealing off the floor drains. Click on;
Flood guards for floor drains - check valve to prevent flooding from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY to find backflow preventers,(see image) for floor drains. That way you could still have the use of them and still be protected from flooding. Have a happy Easter, Tom