I recently discovered that my mid-century house has vinyl laminate flooring covering what seems to be a floor drain in the basement, right where the water heater and laundry area is. When I step on it, the vinyl dips down, indicating there's likely a drain beneath. I'm worried it might lead to problems if there's a buildup of water, but since I have no DIY skills, I'm not sure what my options are. Is there a way to access the drain without ripping up all the flooring? Also, what kind of contractor should I be looking for to help me with this situation? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
If you want to open it up, you might consider using a hole saw to create an access point. It's not unheard of for people to cover drains when finishing a basement, but it can lead to issues down the road. Another option is a subfloor product that has plywood on one side and rubberized plastic with channels, which allows for drainage without compromising the flooring too much.
Yeah, but make sure you check for any p-trap situations before cutting. You wouldn’t want sewer gas in the house.
There’s probably a warning stating not to install this type of flooring over a drain. Flipped houses often come with these kinds of surprises. Just one of those things to watch out for when buying a flipped home.
Totally get that! It feels like flipped houses are the only option these days, but you never know what you're getting until it's too late.
You could also buy a 6-inch hole saw bit from Amazon if you decide to go that route. They’re pretty handy for these types of jobs.
I’ll keep that in mind, thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks for the tip! I just need a knowledgeable contractor that won’t try to pull a fast one on me.