Why Your Basement Floor Drain Keeps Backing Up (Cleveland Homes)
Serving Cleveland's west side & west suburbs · 24/7 emergency drain service · Call (216) 203-6563
Why Your Basement Floor Drain Keeps Backing Up (Cleveland Homes)
Basement floor drain backing up when you do laundry or after rain? The real causes in older Cleveland homes — roots, scale, grease — and how to fix them.
A basement floor drain backs up when the main sewer line is restricted — usually by tree roots, cast iron scale, grease or a sag in the pipe. Clearing the line fixes it now; a camera inspection shows how to keep it from coming back.
The basement floor drain is the lowest drain in your home — so when the main line has a problem, that's where it shows up first. If yours keeps backing up, here's what's usually going on.
When it backs up tells you a lot
- When the washing machine drains: The main line is partly blocked. Laundry sends a big rush of water that the line can't carry.
- After heavy rain: Rainwater is getting into the sewer system, or the city sewer is surcharging. More on that in preventing sewer backups.
- Randomly, getting worse over time: A growing blockage — roots, scale or grease.
The real causes in west side homes
Tree roots
Many homes in Lakewood, Parma, Rocky River and Cleveland's west side neighborhoods have clay tile sewer lines. The joints let fine roots in, and roots love the water and nutrients inside. They grow into a net that catches everything.
Cast iron scale
Older cast iron drains corrode from the inside, building up rough scale that narrows the pipe and snags paper. Read about cast iron pipe buildup.
Grease and soap
Kitchen grease and laundry soap combine into a waxy coating that keeps getting thicker.
Laundry lint and wipes
"Flushable" wipes don't break down. Lint from the washer builds up in the line, too.
Sags or broken pipe
Older lines settle. A low spot (belly) holds water and debris; a cracked or offset joint catches everything.
How to fix it for good
- Clear the line. Snaking opens it up fast; hydro jetting scours the pipe walls for a longer-lasting result.
- See what's in there. A camera inspection shows roots, breaks or bellies. Our $199 sewer camera inspection includes a full report and video so you can see it yourself.
- Plan the right fix. Most lines just need regular maintenance. Broken sections may need sewer line repair.
If it's backing up right now
Stop using water — no laundry, showers or flushing — and call us at (216) 203-6563. We clear basement drains across Cleveland's west side every day.
Should you install a cleanout?
Many older west side homes don't have an accessible cleanout on the main line, which means every cleaning has to go through a floor drain or toilet. Adding a proper cleanout gives us direct access to the main sewer line. That makes future cleanings faster and more thorough, and lets us run a camera from the right spot. If your home has needed more than one main line cleaning, a cleanout is worth asking about.
When to call a plumber
Call ExpertPipe Rooter at (216) 203-6563 if:
- Water rises in the floor drain when laundry drains
- The floor drain backs up after heavy rain
- Backups are happening more often
- You see sewage or smell sewer gas in the basement
We serve Cleveland's west side and western suburbs, including Lakewood, Parma, Westlake, Rocky River and North Olmsted.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my basement drain back up when I do laundry?
A washing machine sends a large volume of water at once. If the main line is partly blocked, that water can't get past the restriction and comes up through the lowest drain — the floor drain.
Can I snake a basement floor drain myself?
Small rental snakes can open a local clog, but main line clogs from roots or scale need a powered cable machine or hydro jetting to clear properly.
Is a basement drain backup covered by the city?
In most Cleveland-area cities the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the main. A camera inspection shows where the problem is.
Keep reading
Related guides
How to Prevent Sewer Backups and Basement Flooding in Cleveland
Keep your sewer lateral clean, know its condition with a camera inspection, consider a backwater valve, keep downspouts out of the sewer, test the sump pump and limit water use during heavy storms.
Read the guide →6 Signs You Need Professional Drain Cleaning (Don't Ignore a Slow Drain)
Call for drain cleaning when a slow drain keeps coming back, several drains are slow at once, drains gurgle, the basement floor drain backs up, you smell sewage, or toilets clog with normal use.
Read the guide →Why Old Cleveland Drains Clog: Cast Iron Scale and Pipe Buildup
Cast iron drains in older west side homes corrode from the inside, building rough scale that narrows the pipe and catches debris.
Read the guide →Talk to a local plumber
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