Why Basement Floor Drains Back Up (and How to Fix It)

April 19, 2025 | Robert Wolfe |

It’s one of the worst surprises a homeowner can walk into — standing water around the floor drain in your basement. Whether it’s a minor puddle or a full-blown sewage backup, the root cause is often deeper in your plumbing system than you think.

At CPR – Complete Pipe Repair, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners in Dayton, Troy, and the Miami Valley eliminate this problem for good. Here’s why it happens and how we fix it.

What Causes a Basement Drain to Back Up?

1. Clogged main sewer line
If your home’s main drain line is blocked with grease, roots, or debris, wastewater has nowhere to go. It often backs up at the lowest point in your system, usually the basement floor drain.

2. Tree root intrusion
Tree roots are a significant issue in older neighborhoods across the Miami Valley. Roots grow into small cracks in your pipes, eventually blocking the flow completely.

3. Broken or collapsed pipes
Aging clay or cast iron sewer lines can crack, shift, or collapse. Once that happens, no amount of plunging or snaking will solve the problem permanently.

4. Heavy rain or sewer overload
If your basement only floods during storms, the issue could be with the city’s sewer system backing up into your line. A backwater valve can help in some cases.

How We Fix It

At CPR, we start with a video pipe inspection to locate the exact cause of the problem. From there, we may recommend:

We’ve restored sewer flow and eliminated basement flooding for homeowners in Dayton, Piqua, and Troy with lasting results.

Don’t Wait for Another Backup

Each time your floor drain backs up, it risks your home and health. Bacteria, mold, and property damage are just a few consequences. The good news? We can fix the issue without tearing up your basement or yard.

Call CPR today at (937) 703-1811 to schedule an inspection or service.

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