Basement Floor Drain

[D45]

Just curious, but should water be standing in this floor drain?

The side angled hole I am able to pour water through and it clears our fine.....

But should the other area have standing water in it? Just for reference it was completely dry. I poured water in this area to see how, and if, it would drain

I did not see any drain holes, other than the side one.

 

[DGersic]

I have that same drain in my basement.

There is a trap under it. There should be water in the trap.

The side hole is, I believe, a cleanout and should be plugged. Mine, the plug is rust welded in place and cannot be removed without violence.

 

[JRC3]

Yes there should be water. Sometimes they dry up and produce smell and it's time to refill it. Sometimes cooking oil or antifreeze can be used to fill the trap to prevent evaporation.

Ever walk into a public restroom that stinks every time you've been to it...A dry trap in the floor drain is the typical reason.

 

[D45]

Where is the bottom hole then? I wondering if mine is rusted closed?

What kind of plug should be in the side hole? Rubber stopper or is it threaded?

Is the drain tied into the sump hole or?

 

[Chaznsc]

Could look something like this…..

 

[DGersic]

Where is the bottom hole then? I wondering if mine is rusted closed?

What kind of plug should be in the side hole? Rubber stopper or is it threaded?

Is the drain tied into the sump hole or?

The side gets a pipe threaded plug.

Mine is tied in to the drains for the kitchen sink (floor above) and the laundry / utility sink.

 

[DGersic]

Floor Drain Basics

One of the most common defects that I find in old Minneapolis and Saint Paul houses is missing cleanout plugs in floor drains - especially during Truth In Sale of Housing Evaluations. Missing cleanout plugs can allow hazardous sewer gas in to the home, and often indicate a clogged floor drain.

structuretech.com

 

[flat350]

You can see the threads for a plug in the side hole in the first pic.

 

[D45]

Well I think the bottom of the drain is open to flow water......it's either rusted shut or plugged

I poked around with a screwdriver and it's all solid

 

[DGersic]

Well I think the bottom of the drain is open to flow water......it's either rusted shut or plugged

I poked around with a screwdriver and it's all solid

Trap is plugged, and cleanout plug was removed to be used as a drain, as shown in the link I posted?

If so, good luck clearing the plug.

 

[Fav Onefour]

The link @DGersic , provided is my reality. I have quite a few drains in that style. Most of them were plugged when I took ownership. One thing I do not see is a ball. It probably had one and maybe still does.

I bet the plug isn't too bad. @D45 , It's possible that you are even hitting the ball with your screwdriver test. Try a thin screwdriver and sneak along the side of the trap. If there is a ball stuck, it may take some finesse to wiggle it loose without puncturing. The ball would be plastic about like a whiffle ball hardness.
To be honest, the corrosion is pretty decent on the drain in the pictures. I have been able to put in plastic threaded plugs with drains that still look that good.
Try cleaning out the trap good. You can clean out the threads and use a plastic threaded plug on the side hole. Depending on how well the threads clean, you may opt to wrap the plug with good teflon tape.

 

[D45]

I have a wire wheel that will fit inside the side threaded area, it will help clean the threads up

I'll wait till the water evaporates out to inspect further

 

[DGersic]

Just get a turkey baster and empty it. There’s only a couple of cups of water in the trap.