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.

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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.

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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

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is it OK to cover this drain and cut off any air venting?

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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?

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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?

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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.

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What would you recommend?

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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