Hi,

I'm wondering how to cover the 4" drain on my basement floor (to reduce smell, backing up) while still allowing the washing machine empty into it?

I have an older home (built in 1950) with a drain on the basement floor that the washing machine (2" PVC pipe), furnace humidifier (small hose), and hot water heater emergency drain (small hose) empty into.

Someone recommended Floor Guard for basement drains in another post (see link below), but I'm wondering if there's a way to have my hoses run into the drain and still keep it covered?

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/plumbi...up-373759.html

Thanks!

Ilford

This might work ProSet Systems Firestopping Penetrations, Specialty Drains and Water Proofing Solutions

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Originally Posted by shader

this might work ProSet Systems Firestopping Penetrations, Specialty Drains and Water Proofing Solutions

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Is it important to have the hose from my washing machine "fit" the top of a drain like this? Or can the hose just sit on top of the drain?

If the hose doesn't fit the top of the drain I imagine water will spill onto the floor.

Thanks,

Ilford

You need to install a trap for washer standpipe. Then use an aav for a vent if you are not able to tie in an actuall vent easily. This will require a water tight seal between the four inch and two inch pipe, which can be made in a number of ways. Can you post a pic of the four inch pipe coming out of the floor? Im no good with diagrams, but I'm sure one of the other pros can give you a drawing of what I'm talking about.

The hose should fit loosely into the washer standpipe. It should not be sealed.

A standpipe is the way to do it properly, but you seem to have all of the hoses/pipe run across the floor to the drain. The trap I suggusted will open with only a trickle of water, however, since the washer expels a great volume of water, yeah, the water would get all over the place unless the pipe is actually inserted into the drain. I don't think that is possible with this trap.

My questions, why does this smell? If the washer is used on a regular basis the trap should remain relativley clean. It does have a trap? Drain cleaners should clean up any crud. Also, why the back ups? When it rains? Drainage problems? Backup when using the washer? maybe drain needs to be rodded-just be careful with 60 yo cast iron pipe. Not sure of any other way to seal off the drain and still have the drain hoses/pipe fit IN the drain other than make a custom cover. Can easily be done with plexiglass.

shader is asking some good questions here.

We need to know if this is an actuall floor drain(if so it should already have a trap) or is it just a four inch pipe sticking out of the floor(maybe was intended as a cleanout, or future bathroom rough in). Im guessing that it is not an actuall floor drain(four inch would be a little overkill). If you could please post a pick of your drain it would really help us help you.

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Originally Posted by shader

A standpipe is the way to do it properly, but you seem to have all of the hoses/pipe run across the floor to the drain. The trap I suggusted will open with only a trickle of water, however, since the washer expells a great volume of water, yeah, the water would get all over the place unless the pipe is actually inserted into the drain. I don't think that is possible with this trap.

My questions, why does this smell? If the washer is used on a regular basis the trap should remain relativley clean. It does have a trap? Drain cleaners should clean up any crud. Also, why the back ups? When it rains? drainage problems? Backup when using the washer?, maybe drain needs to be rodded-just be careful with 60 yo cast iron pipe. Not sure of any other way to seal off the drain and still have the drain hoses/pipe fit IN the drain other than make a custom cover. Can easily be done with plexiglass.

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Thanks for the reply. The drain doesn't smell bad, just enough to make the washing room smell a bit "musty". It's not a big deal, really. The washer is used weekly but for some reason it backs up (drains slowly) and floods the area around the washing machine each time. This is the reason I was looking for a valve to prevent backflow. I've never had problems with backup from rain. There are also a lot of suds created by the washer when it drains but these disappear after a few hours (but messes the floor with lint, etc.).

I guess my best option is to 1) get the drain cleaned (but carefully because it is old), and 2) find (or make) a simple cover that allows my hoses to drain. It seems a backup valve that also allows input hoses will be tricky to find.

Shader was a click and a half ahead of me but he nailed it. If Ilford had gone to the Flood-Guard web site he would have found a 4" Stand Pipe fitting nade for a 4" floor drain,(see image). Regards, Tom

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Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

shader is asking some good questions here.

We need to know if this is an actuall floor drain(if so it should already have a trap) or is it just a four inch pipe sticking out of the floor(maybe was intended as a cleanout, or future bathroom rough in). Im guessing that it is not an actuall floor drain(four inch would be a little overkill). If you could please post a pick of your drain it would really help us help you.

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The drain is original with the 1950 house. It is situated in furnace/laundry room and is simply a 4" uncovered circular hole with a waterline about 6" below the surface. The hole is made of cement to at least the level of the water line, and likely leads to a steel drain pipe (below the foundation?). The opening of the drain is level with the basement floor. There haven't been any issues with the water backing up apart from when the washing machine drains.

I'm just wondering if there's a way to prevent the washing machine from backing up. Please see my other post below for more info. Thanks!

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Originally Posted by speedball1

Shader was a click and a half ahead of me but he nailed it. If Ilford had gone to the Flood-Guard web site he would have found a 4" Stand Pipe fitting nade for a 4" floor drain,(see image). Regards, Tom

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Does this unit also prevent water backup to some degree? If not, I'm wondering if water will still back up. Also, I'm thinking that suds may pour out the top of the stand pipe. Thanks!

Hey tom, good to see you again. Many good points from both speed and mgd77. According to your last post the washer drains slowly and leaves a lot of suds around the washer. The suds and the slow drainign water on the floor most likely account for the musty smell. To me, tom and mdg77 jump in, it sounds like the drain needs to be cleaned. I think putting some type of cover on the drain without cleaning will cause more a problem. It the drain can't drain fast enough, the cover will prevent it overflowing the drain, but it would then back up into the washer, not good. Also, the drain might be clay tile or cast iron. In addition to possible clogging, the drain could be broken somewhere. A camera should check this.

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Originally Posted by speedball1

Shader was a click and a half ahead of me but he nailed it. If Ilford had gone to the Flood-Guard web site he would have found a 4" Stand Pipe fitting nade for a 4" floor drain,(see image). Regards, Tom

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Does this unit also prevent water backup? Do you think it will prevent suds from pouring out the top of the stand pipe? Thanks!

Thanks for your great answers, everyone. You gave the perfect advice!

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Does this unit also prevent water backup? Do you think it will prevent suds from pouring out the top of the stand pipe?

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No! But you can attach a spring loaded check valve,(see image) to the stand pipe fitting and a 2" stand pipes to the check valve. Check them out at;
Matco-Norca525T08 - $54.45 - Matco-Norca - 2" Spring Loaded Threaded Check Valve
Good luck, Tom