Question about basement drains

RaptrFlite

Hi there!

I have tracked down a sewer gas smell in our basement to a 2nd drain
in the floor of our unfinished basement. I filled it with water until I could
see water sitting in the pipe and the smell was gone. But then a flush of the toilet upstairs sucked all the water out and, of course, the smell came
back. There is another drain in the floor about 10 feet from that one
that never has a sewer smell and seems to hold the water. Can I put a
one-way cap on the smelly drain that will allow water to flow down in
the event of a flood, but will not allow the gas to come up? Or do I have
a problem there that I need to correct?

Thanks for the help!
Mike

majakdragon

This would be an air tight check valve. Appears this drain is not connected to a vent pipe. May be more cost effective to connect to a vent than add a check valve. Both would probably require concrete demolition. Unless you are gone for long periods of time, I would get a test plug for this drain and remove it if the basement starts taking on water.

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RaptrFlite

Yikes... concrete demolition! two words a homeowner almost NEVER wants
to hear together! (Unless it's followed by "and then begin construction of man-cave"

I'll look into just plugging it up. I fear that the've connected this drain downstream of the trap and that may be the problem.

Thanks for the help...
Mike

II Weeks

sounds like your existing vent may be clogged. Theres no other reason for the trap in the basement to drain.

check your vent line. snow, ice, birds nest ( who knows ) outside or just clogged somewhere down the line. Check your clean outs with a snake.