I only have one floor drain in my basement, and it is near the hot water heater and the sump. I have a septic system also. I noticed some water around the floor drain, about 3' in diameter. I thought that my sump pump had failed, but when I lifted the bulb it worked. There wasn't enough water in the sump to make the pump cycle and yet there was water around the floor drain... why? The floor drain is in line with the drain pipe in the sump and is about 10' away. Are the 2 connected and is there an obstruction between them? I though it was strange because I've seen water coming in the sump since I noticed the water around the floor drain. How could water enter the sump if there is an obstruction in between the floor drain and the sump. I've tried to look for a diagram of basement drain construction because I don't understand them at all, but I cannot locate any on the internet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by markhait

I only have one floor drain in my basement, and it is near the hot water heater and the sump. I have a septic system also. I noticed some water around the floor drain, about 3' in diameter. I thought that my sump pump had failed, but when I lifted the bulb it worked. There wasn't enough water in the sump to make the pump cycle and yet there was water around the floor drain...why? The floor drain is in line with the drain pipe in the sump and is about 10' away. Are the 2 connected and is there an obstruction between them? I though it was strange because I've seen water coming in the sump since I noticed the water around the floor drain. How could water enter the sump if there is an obstruction in between the floor drain and the sump. I've tried to look for a diagram of basement drain construction because I don't understand them at all, but I cannot locate any on the internet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Hey Mark,
If the floor drain backed up and ther's no water in the sump then that would indicate that the floor drain is tied in to the septic system and that the floor drain line is clogged. Why not send a snake down the floor drain to clear it? After it's cleared run water through it and see if it comes out in your sump. My bet is that it won't. What don't you understand about basement drainage? You won't find a diagram anywhere because all drainage layouts are custom built for the job. Regards, tom

What I don't understand is, where does the drain pipe from the sump go? Is there a drain field on the inside of the house under the basement slab? Are these then connected to the outside drain pipes through the footer? I guess, how does water from under the slab get directed to the sump.

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Originally Posted by markhait

What I don't understand is, where does the drain pipe from the sump go? Is there a drain field on the inside of the house under the basement slab? Are these then connected to the outside drain pipes through the footer? I guess, how does water from under the slab get directed to the sump.

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By code we are not allowed to connect rain leaders, condensate lines or sump pumps into the house sewerage system. These are disposed of by outside drain fields. As a rule french drains,( http://www.askthebuilder.com/B70_Fre...n_Design.shtml ) are constructed around the basement and directed inside to the sump where the pump gets it outside in a drainage area. Regards, tom

So if I understand you correctly, they is a drain field under the basement slab and they connect to the sump? The water I saw then is just blocking one or more branches from these fields in the basement? I have a pond and the sump dumps into it.

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Originally Posted by markhait

So if I understand you correctly, they is a drain field under the basement slab and they connect to the sump? The water I saw then is just blocking one or more branches from these fields in the basement? I have a pond and the sump dumps into it.

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You don't have a drainfield under your basement. That I can tell you for sure.
You most likely have a french drain installed around the outside of your house that collects ground water for the sump.
I'm back to my original answer. "If the floor drain backed up and there's no water in the sump then that would indicate that the floor drain is tied in to the septic system and that the floor drain line is clogged. Send a snake down the floor drain to clear it. After it's cleared run water through it and see if it comes out in your sump. My bet is that it won't. Regards, tom

Ok, if the floor drain is tied into the septic is the "water" that backed up actually stuff from the septic or where did it come from? Is it just ground water that forced it way up because it had no where to go.

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Originally Posted by markhait

Ok, if the floor drain is tied into the septic is the "water" that backed up actually stuff from the septic or where did it come from? Is it just ground water that forced it way up because it had no where to go.

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If it were ground water it would come up in the sump and not the floor drain.
What you have out of the floor drain is from your drainage system. Snake out the drain. Tom

What's my drainage system? If its connected to the septic what else is it connected to that would allow "stuff" to back up when its clogged. This is the only floor drain I have in the basement. Thanks for your patience Tom :-)

Your drainage system is the house drain and the sewer. It's connected to everything on your house. Tom

So there is something connected to this floor drain, but it cannot be anything major since there was only a little bit of water. The bathrooms and kitchens must be connected further or there would be a lot more water... right? I have 3 full baths and 2 full kitchens. Is there anyway of knowing what's connected to it or is that not really necessary?

I just looked in the basement and here's the situation. The main drain for the house is suspended just under the 1st floor. The kitchen and the bath in the basement go to a up pump and that connects to this main drain just outside the bathroom and under the floor of the 1st floor. That floor drain must do something strange then. It doesn't look like anything else is connected to it... maybe it just does go to the sump? I'll follow your suggestion and snake this drain and then pour some water in it and then I'll know for sure.
Thanks Tom!