Dirty water coming up through a basement floor drain is one of the worst surprises a homeowner gets. It’s also one of the most common calls we hear. The causes are fairly predictable, and some are much easier to fix than others.
A clogged main sewer line
Grease, wipes and paper build up until the line can’t keep up. When it fills, the lowest drain in the house is where the water goes, and that’s usually the one in the basement. A visit for sewer rodding clears most of these.
Roots
Roots get into small cracks and joints, then thicken into a mat that traps everything that comes down. If your house has a big tree out front, this is high on the list. We explain the fix on the tree root removal page.
A broken or sunken pipe
Old clay and cast iron can crack, sag or collapse. A backup that keeps returning soon after cleaning often points here, and the answer is sewer line repair, not another round of rodding.
Heavy rain
In a lot of Chicago the sewers carry storm water and household waste together. In a big storm the main can fill and push water back toward houses. If your backups only show up after heavy rain, that’s the clue. An overhead sewer conversion is the longer-term fix for homes this keeps happening to.
A pump that quit
Basement bathrooms and laundry rooms often drain into a pit with an ejector pump. If it fails, water collects in the basement. See our sump and ejector pump repair page.
A full catch basin outside
A yard drain packed with silt can overflow toward the house. Catch basin cleaning takes care of that one.
A clog right at the drain
Sometimes the trouble is local: hair, lint or debris sitting in the floor drain trap itself. Drain cleaning handles these, and they’re the simple ones.
Figuring out which one you have
Watch what else is going on. If only the floor drain backs up, the clog may be local. If the toilet gurgles and other drains slow down at the same time, suspect the main line. If it only happens after rain, think about the public sewer or a pump.
A backup that comes back means the first fix didn’t reach the cause. A camera shows what it is, and it saves you from paying for the same visit twice.
What to do right now
Stop running water. Keep kids and pets away from the standing water. Then call (773) 588-1200. We answer the emergency line around the clock. For safety steps while you wait, read our post on what to do when sewage backs up in your basement.