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Maki Sewer and Drain service van equipped for floor drain cleaning in the Twin Cities metro
Floor Drain Cleaning

Floor Drain Cleaning for Basement Backups

When water comes up out of a basement floor drain, the floor drain may be the problem — or it may simply be where a main-line backup shows itself. We figure out which line is actually clogged before recommending the cleanout method.

Drain techs in every corner of the metro. Enter your city or ZIP to verify service:

What this service solves

A floor drain can clog on its own when sediment, laundry lint, and debris settle into the trap or branch line. But a floor drain can also back up because the main sewer line is blocked downstream. Since the basement floor drain is often the lowest opening in the system, water or sewage may show up there first.

That distinction matters. Cleaning the floor drain does nothing if the real blockage is in the main sewer line. We read the pattern — whether it backs up on its own, when the washer runs, or when several fixtures drain — and clean the line that is actually causing the problem.

Signs you should call

  • Water or sewage rises out of the basement floor drain
  • It backs up when the washing machine drains
  • Several fixtures upstairs are slow at the same time
  • It surfaces during heavy rain or snowmelt
  • A sewer smell lingers around the drain

How the service call works

  1. Determine whether the backup is the floor drain itself or the main line
  2. Clear the floor drain trap and branch line if that is the source
  3. Cable or jet the main line when the backup is downstream
  4. Run water and watch the drain under load
  5. Recommend a camera inspection if roots or infiltration are likely
Common questions

Floor Drain Cleaning FAQ

Why is water coming up from my basement floor drain?

Either the floor drain line is clogged, or the main sewer line downstream is blocked and backing up into the lowest opening. We check which it is before cleaning.

Does a floor drain backup mean a main line problem?

Often, yes — especially if it backs up when you run the washer or several fixtures. We test to confirm.

Can heavy rain cause a floor drain backup?

It can, if there is inflow and infiltration into the system. A camera inspection helps identify where water is getting in.

Ready to get your line flowing again?

Tell us what is going on and we will follow up fast — usually same day.

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