How to Install a Basement Floor Drain

UN basement floor drain diverts standing water to avoid potential floods in basements. Because basements lie underground, they can often experience large amounts of standing water. A floor drain will minimize the damage that this water can cause.

When installing a basement floor drain, you need to give its location some careful consideration. You must also make sure that you have all of the right tools and accessories to complete the job correctly. Although installing a basement floor drain may seem like a simple project, it does involve cutting through concrete, which will make it a time-consuming and labor-intensive job.

Étape 1 – Plan the Basement Floor Drain

First you need to plan the location of your basement floor drain. The ideal location will be in the lowest area of your floor because water will generally collect in the lowest area.

Also consider any equipment in your basement. For instance, if you have installed your water heater in the basement, you will often need the floor drain close by.

Étape 2 – Find the Plumbing Pipes

Your basement should already have some plumbing pipes. Try to find these and work out how you are going to break into the plumbing lines. If there are no plumbing lines in your basement, you will need to find a way of dealing with the wastewater.

Étape 3 – Drill the Basement Floor Drain

Use the hollow drill hole cutter and your power drill to cut a hole where you want to install your basement floor drain. You should be using the right diameter of hole cutter to suit the PVC pipes and drain cover that you have purchased. Drill to a depth below the concrete floor where the pipes will fit without danger.

Étape 4 – Cut the Floor

Now you should use the circular saw to cut a trench along the floor of your basement where you will lay the PVC plumbing pipes. When cutting the trenches, ensure that you are not in danger of cutting through any electrical cables or pipes.

Étape 5 – Connect to the Sewer

Connect the drain pipes into the sewer pipes. If you don’t have sewer pipes in your basement, you may be able to install a well which is below the level of your basement. This would be a very costly project but would provide the required effects.

Étape 6 – Bury the Pipe

Before burying the pipes, you should check that they don’t leak. Pour some water down the drain and check for any obvious signs of leaks. Once you are happy with your job, you can get to work burying the pipes. Start by covering them with sand; then fill in the rest of the trench with concrete.