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#1
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How to cover a basement drain
Hi all,
A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? |
#2
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 8:57*am, Borrall Wonnell wrote:
Hi all, A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. *The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. *How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. *Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? I'd probably do you second solution. |
#3
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How to cover a basement drain
Borrall Wonnell wrote:
Hi all, A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? Build a cover. Cut a circle of 3/4" ply. Taper the edges to match the slope. Drill a couple hole through it where the taper begins into the concrete, and install pins to keep it in position. |
#4
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 10:23*am, "Bob F" wrote:
Borrall Wonnell wrote: Hi all, A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. *The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. *How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. *Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? Build a cover. Cut a circle of 3/4" ply. Taper the edges to match the slope. Drill a couple hole through it where the taper begins into the concrete, and install pins to keep it in position. Filling with concrete is better, though be careful not to slope things upward. With plywood, you would have to take all kinds of measures to ensure the wood doesn't touch the concrete, and doesn't get wet (doable, but the concrete idea is better). |
#5
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 1:32*pm, "dadiOH" wrote:
Borrall Wonnell wrote: Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? So water would run to it? Heh...true, but (a) the rest of the basement floor isn't sloped toward the drain and (b) a slight dip in the floor would have sufficed for water to 'run'. No need for the concrete to have a 45 degree slope! |
#6
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How to cover a basement drain
Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? Are you sure this isn't a built in swimming pool? |
#7
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 12:10*pm, Borrall Wonnell wrote:
On Oct 25, 1:32*pm, "dadiOH" wrote: Borrall Wonnell wrote: Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? So water would run to it? Heh...true, but (a) the rest of the basement floor isn't sloped toward the drain and (b) a slight dip in the floor would have sufficed for water to 'run'. *No need for the concrete to have a 45 degree slope! If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? |
#8
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How to cover a basement drain
John wrote:
On Oct 25, 10:23 am, "Bob F" wrote: Borrall Wonnell wrote: Hi all, A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? Build a cover. Cut a circle of 3/4" ply. Taper the edges to match the slope. Drill a couple hole through it where the taper begins into the concrete, and install pins to keep it in position. Filling with concrete is better, though be careful not to slope things upward. With plywood, you would have to take all kinds of measures to ensure the wood doesn't touch the concrete, and doesn't get wet (doable, but the concrete idea is better). Or, Paint it (or not) and replace it if needed in 20 years. |
#9
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How to cover a basement drain
Borrall Wonnell wrote:
Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? 1. Put dog in center of depression. 2. Hose him down. |
#10
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 6:50*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). |
#11
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 25, 7:57*am, Borrall Wonnell wrote:
Hi all, A basement floor drain is 6" across but sits 8" below the surface of the concrete floor. *The concrete floor slopes down to the drain (like a funnel), the entire thing is about 36" in diameter. *How can I cover this up so that it is still accessible, while allowing enough strength for a person to stand on it. I'm considering pouring new concrete to reduce the diameter from 36" to something a bit more manageable. *Use sonotube, wood framing, or ABS pipe as support and to keep new concrete from plugging the drain. Alternately, adjust floor drain to (nearly) the height of the concrete floor and fill the area with concrete. Does this seem like a sensible approach? Anyone want to hazard a guess as to why the builder would go through the effort of sloping a 36" drain? Call city hall and ask if they have any retired manhole covers. If so, pick one up and install over the opening with whatever concrete mods are needed to make it tidy. Joe |
#12
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How to cover a basement drain
On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell
wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50Â*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic |
#13
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 26, 2:56*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50*pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. * From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. *It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic "I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain." Then there are a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of houses you couldn't imagine living in. I'd like a show of hands: Whose house has a floor drain (right hands) and whose doesn't (left hands)? |
#14
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How to cover a basement drain
DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Oct 26, 2:56 pm, Vic Smith wrote: On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic "I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain." Then there are a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of houses you couldn't imagine living in. I'd like a show of hands: Whose house has a floor drain (right hands) and whose doesn't (left hands)? Mine has one, but it's only use is for convenient water disposal when defrosting the freezer, etc. |
#15
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How to cover a basement drain
On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:04:31 -0700, "Bob F"
wrote: DerbyDad03 wrote: On Oct 26, 2:56 pm, Vic Smith wrote: On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic "I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain." Then there are a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of houses you couldn't imagine living in. I'd like a show of hands: Whose house has a floor drain (right hands) and whose doesn't (left hands)? Mine has one, but it's only use is for convenient water disposal when defrosting the freezer, etc. Never seen a house without one, but it might be code here. Chicago area. I've had a leaking foundation, which I got fixed, and a few inches of water in the basement when a so-called "100 year rain" also knocked out power to my pumps. Both times the drain was very useful. Other than that I've used them to drain hot water heaters and boilers. I never look at a basement as something I'd finish except maybe one room. Others go the full nine yards around here and never have a problem. Just a personal habit. I'm in such a room now, finished by the previous owner. Takes about 1/3 of the basement. Tiled floor and dark 1/4" paneling on studs. No insulation. Acoustic tiles ceiling. Not bad really. But if I ever get to it I'll tear everything but the floor tiles out and paint it all white. And junk the bar, which just gets in the way. I see a basement as mostly shop/storage and a place to get away. Handy, but I always figure it's ripe for flooding. Maybe that comes mostly from TV reports of all the basement furnishings on the street after a big rain that fills the storm sewers. The few inches of water I had down there wasn't a big deal because except for a few cardboard boxes of junk nothing was lost. Now I've got about $400 worth of plastic containers for my wife to keep her "stuff" in. Most of it is clothes, curtains, drapes, and the kids old toys and school stuff. You know - the stuff a woman can let go of. All my stuff is man stuff. Wipe it down and it's good as new (-: --Vic |
#16
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 27, 4:18*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:04:31 -0700, "Bob F" wrote: DerbyDad03 wrote: On Oct 26, 2:56 pm, Vic Smith wrote: On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic "I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain." Then there are a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of houses you couldn't imagine living in. I'd like a show of hands: Whose house has a floor drain (right hands) and whose doesn't (left hands)? Mine has one, but it's only use is for convenient water disposal when defrosting the freezer, etc. Never seen a house without one, but it might be code here. Chicago area. I've had a leaking foundation, which I got fixed, and a few inches of water in the basement when a so-called *"100 year rain" also knocked out power to my pumps. Both times the drain was very useful. Other than that I've used them to drain hot water heaters and boilers. I never look at a basement as something I'd finish except maybe one room. *Others go the full nine yards around here and never have a problem. Just a personal habit. I'm in such a room now, finished by the previous owner. Takes about 1/3 of the basement. Tiled floor and dark 1/4" paneling on studs. *No insulation. Acoustic tiles ceiling. *Not bad really. But if I ever get to it I'll tear everything but the floor tiles out and paint it all white. *And junk the bar, which just gets in the way. I see a basement as mostly shop/storage and a place to get away. Handy, but I always figure it's ripe for flooding. Maybe that comes mostly from TV reports of all the basement furnishings on the street after a big rain that fills the storm sewers. The few inches of water I had down there wasn't a big deal because except for a few cardboard boxes of junk nothing was lost. Now I've got about $400 worth of plastic containers for my wife to keep her "stuff" in. Most of it is clothes, curtains, drapes, and the kids old toys and school stuff. *You know - the stuff a woman can let go of. All my stuff is man stuff. Wipe it down and it's good as new (-: --Vic- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - How do you keep the traps from drying out if they don't get used? |
#17
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How to cover a basement drain
On Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:22:45 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote: How do you keep the traps from drying out if they don't get used? I've read about pouring a pitcher of water down there once in a while, or mineral oil if you're going to cover it. But I've never had a problem with odors from floor drains. I just looked and sniffed. The drain pipe is full of spider webs, but I saw water down below. It's at least half a year since anything went down the drain. Think I poured maybe a pint of water from a bowl in there when I rodded the laundry tub drain, which was full of caked lint. If it ever dries up where I get an odor I'll just pour some water down there. --Vic |
#18
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How to cover a basement drain
On 10/26/2010 7:04 PM, Bob F wrote:
DerbyDad03 wrote: On Oct 26, 2:56 pm, Vic wrote: On Tue, 26 Oct 2010 10:37:15 -0700 (PDT), Borrall Wonnell wrote: On Oct 25, 6:50 pm, wrote: If the rest of the basement isn't even sloped towards this drain, why do you need to keep it accessible? Does it (or will it ever) serve any purpose at all? Apparently I can swim in it and/or wash my dog. From a local building code perspective, it has to be accessible. It will also be convenient for the annual 'drain-the-water-tank' maintenance, but generally it will be unused. Most water leaks end up in the basement, even if they don't start there. Besides sticking a hose in it to drain the hot water tank or boiler. I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain. I think the answer in this case will be to pour new concrete to fill the area in, then use it as if it was a normal floor (with an access hatch cut for the drain). I would extend the current drain with PVC before pouring in the concrete, then fit the drain plate in before it sets. But I don't know your intent. My drain is in the unfinished sink/washer area of the basement. --Vic "I can't imagine not having a basement floor drain." Then there are a lot (and I mean *a lot*) of houses you couldn't imagine living in. I'd like a show of hands: Whose house has a floor drain (right hands) and whose doesn't (left hands)? Mine has one, but it's only use is for convenient water disposal when defrosting the freezer, etc. Frowns. My basement USED TO have drains. The grilles and collectors are still there, but the pipes have rusted or tea-kettled shut, and nothing drains. Had the roto-something guy out with his biggest auger, and he threw his hands up after an hour. The wall standpipe the washer used to drain into is evidently tied into same system, because when I tested it when I moved in, an hour later the basement was flooded around nearest floor drain. Sink hung on wall near washer just drained into floor drain below, so I can't even use it. Thankfully, my basement and sump pit are bone dry. There are actual cobwebs in sump pit, and a patched hole next to it, where it apparently used to tie into the same drains. I've been procrastinating a cure. Not anxious to bust up the floor, so considering using an angle grinder to remove the washer standpipe where it goes into the poured wall, and then mudding over that hole and the floor drains with sakcrete. Then, buy one of those box things with a pump in it, drain the sink and washer into the box, and feed from there into the collector that leads out to the septic tank, where the washer and all the various condensate hoses are now shoe-horned. Not sure where basement and foundation drains used to drain TO- either a daylight drain where the driveway cut was filled in, for the abandoned single-car garage bay in the basement, or to a drywell that I think was where the 32-year-old addition/2-car garage now is. Working backward from where original well was, and where septic is, that is about the only place a drywell could have been. Any of the above sounds like a major PITA, so I will likely just leave it for the next owner to deal with. -- aem sends... |
#19
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How to cover a basement drain
On Oct 26, 4:07*pm, Joe wrote:
On Oct 25, 7:57*am, Borrall Wonnell Call city hall and ask if they have any retired manhole covers. If so, pick one up and install over the opening with whatever concrete mods are needed to make it tidy. Now THAT (manhole cover) is an excellent idea! Quick update: I carefully chiselled away the concrete surrounding/ covering the ABS drain plate (I thought it was about 5", but turns out to be closer to 8" after I removed the concrete). Had to drill the two philips screws that were holding the plate in place (slots were filled wtih concrete). Turns out that the plate was covering a bowl-shaped fixture with a 2" drain in the middle (and a floating plastic ball to prevent back flow). Most of the bowl was full of hardened concrete...with enough room for water to pass down the drain. What an ugly piece of work. Ultimately I ditched the concrete idea and scribed some lumber to follow the curve of the 36" depression. Seems to work so far... |
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