My basement floor drain (from the hole in the floor to the main drain, about 15 ft.) is slow & sometimes clogged. When the clothes washer drains, water comes up on the floor, & slowly seeps down.
I had a problem a few years ago with tree roots & big flood damage, had the old tile drain replaced under the lawn with a new PVC type, & is working good, but this clog is coming from the floor drain to the main, tried a couple different types of augers, (one 3 ft. section broke off when I tried to hard with a drill, and is still down there), and have tried the pressure hose bladders.
Am I supposed to see water all the time when I look down the floor drain? It sits still about an inch below the pipe.
Even tried chemicals last year. Any ideas? Thanks Bob

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Originally Posted by floored

My basement floor drain (from the hole in the floor to the main drain, about 15 ft.) is slow & sometimes clogged. When the clothes washer drains, water comes up on the floor, & slowly seeps down.
I had a problem a few years ago with tree roots & big flood damage, had the old tile drain replaced under the lawn with a new PVC type, & is working good, but this clog is coming from the floor drain to the main, tried a couple different types of augers, (one 3 ft. section broke off when I tried to hard with a drill, and is still down there), and have tried the pressure hose bladders.
Am I supposed to see water all the time when I look down the floor drain? It sits still about an inch below the pipe.
Even tried chemicals last year. Any ideas? Thanks Bob

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Hey Bob,
Before you do anything run down to the local Rent All store and rent a power snake. Get one with removable tips and ask for a retrieval tip to be included. (see image)
After you retrieve the broken cable snake the line and flush it out after your done. You will see water in the floor drains trap. Good luck, Tom

Thanks Speedball, sounds good, have rented out the snake many times before the main was replaced, am going to see if they have the slimmer snake to fit down there, the large one didn't go as I remember.
There are no traps in the floor, is there supposed to be sitting water an inch below the floor when it is clear? The drains to this one are the dishwasher, sink, & washer, and they are all clear.

"There are no traps in the floor, is there supposed to be sitting water an inch below the floor when it is clear?"

All floor drains have a built in trap, (see image) the water you see is most likely the trap seal. Get that broken cable out of there before you do anything. Good luck, Tom