Effective Solutions to Fix Leaky Floor Drains: A Homeowner’s Guide

If there is a bathroom upstairs, but the floor drain is installed loosely, resulting in water leaks, here’s how to repair it:

How to Repair a Leaky Floor Drain Upstairs

The leakage from the floor drain upstairs may be related to loosening of the drainage pipe. During installation, it is essential to ensure the sealing performance. If a leak occurs, remove the original floor drain. First, loosen the surrounding floor tiles, and then redo waterproofing. If you choose not to break the floor and only conduct surface sealing, it may only provide a temporary fix, and the leak could reappear after a short period.

Don’t hesitate to take the trouble; prepare a chisel and chisel out a ring-shaped groove about 3 cm wide and 3 cm deep around the floor drain. Then clean the area thoroughly and mix a cement-based waterproof agent into a paste-like consistency to fill the groove. After that, apply a waterproof agent over the filled area. Use a trowel to smooth and compact the surface, then reinstall the floor drain to ensure a tight seal, which will help prevent future leaks. If you’re still not confident, perform a water retention test after an hour by observing below for any signs of leakage.

For extra safety, you can also replace the drainage pipe with a PVC material, which can address the issue of drainage leaks fundamentally.

What Types of Anti-Odor Floor Drains Can Be Chosen

1. When installing a floor drain, it’s essential to ensure good sealing. There are certain types of anti-odor floor drains available on the market. Some floor drains are designed to achieve this effect, such as those with magnetic flow, which open and close based on gravity. The advantage of this type is that it provides quick drainage and has a smooth inner wall, preventing insects from coming up through the drain. However, over time, it may lose effectiveness and needs replacement after a certain period.

2. You can also choose T-shaped three-proof floor drains, which offer better sealing, quick drainage speed, and effective odor prevention, although they are slightly more expensive.

In summary:When selecting a type of floor drain, it is crucial to ensure proper sealing. If there’s a leak, merely re-sealing may not be ideal. It’s best to chisel out the area around the drain and reapply waterproofing materials.