What Is a Partial Basement Drain?

Partial basement drains are basement floor drains in a partial, rather than a full, basement. A partial basement is any basement that covers less than the area of the main floors of the house. A crawl space or slab under part of the home is also considered a partial basement.

Purpose of Floor Drains

A partial basement drain helps drain water away from the home when water seeps into the basement, whether from seepage through the walls during heavy rain, overburdened sump pumps, or air conditioner discharge.

Flooding

A good floor drain and drainage system can help prevent and mitigate flooding. It should be part of a complete plan for dealing with excess water, including proper lot drainage and grading to direct excess water away from the home. Well-placed eaves troughs and downspouts will also help avoid water in the basement.

Warning

Floor drains may not get much use, so homeowners should take care that they don't fill with sediment, dust or bacteria that could cause drain clogs and render drains unable to do their jobs. As George Clow writes in "Practical Up to Date Plumbing," homeowners should realize that the basement drain needs to be just as clean as a bathroom, for sanitary reasons such as preventing bacteria growth and avoiding sewer backups.

References

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation: Avoiding Basement Flooding
• Chest of Books: Cellar Or Basement Drains