Workshop
Ask a question

The Bunnings Workshop community can help with your home improvement projects.

How to permanently block a floor drain?

PeterE
Growing in Experience

How to permanently block a floor drain?

1.png

 

I need to permanently block off this laundry floor drain, which last week filled my house with storm water.
My plumber suggested inserting a dmv in pipe plug into the 50mm drain. However the metal grate opening is approx 42mm diameter and the dmv plug is rigid, so it wont fit.

I am thinking of gluing a rubber plug to the metal grate. What solution would you use?

Noyade
Home Improvement Guru

Re: How to permanently block a floor drain?

G'day @PeterE 

 

"What solution would you use?"

 

For me - I would definitely want to be able to screw and unscrew some form of waterproof lid involving a homemade washer or O-ring.

You mentioned a 42 mm diameter hole?

I tried to draw it out to scale - and an R31 was best fit O-ring wise which has a cross sectional diameter of 3.55mm

 

20251023_173735.jpg

 

Or a custom washer from thin rubber.

 

20251023_145550.jpg

 

The lid would be stainless steel or aluminium cut to fit.

The tricky bit will be the threaded holes for the counter sunk M6 bolts.

It would involve a M6 tap, 5.5mm cobalt drill and possibly a 5mm masonry drill.

Screwing the plate down will create the watertight seal and that molded lip on each corner will prevent 'crushing' the O-ring or washer.

 

All theory of course. 😁

 

Let me know what you think.

Cheers.

 

20251023_144053.jpg

 

 

Noyade
Home Improvement Guru

Re: How to permanently block a floor drain?

Having said all that - I wish my old house actually had floor drains in the laundry and bathrooms. So I'm not sure why you're having these problems @PeterE ?

PeterE
Growing in Experience

Re: How to permanently block a floor drain?

Thank you Noyade for your indepth reply.

Yes, being able to open and close the drain lid would be ideal. I will give some thought as to how I can manufacture the lid. As for the threaded holes, perhaps I could do without those if I can find a suitable masonry screw; although lid depth is only around 3mm.

PeterE
Growing in Experience

Re: How to permanently block a floor drain?

due to an enormous amount of rain in a short period the storm water entered via the laundry drain and flooded my house

it is the first time after living here for 10 years despite numerous Brisbane storms ...... so we now know the laundry drain is connected to the storm water 

Why join the Bunnings Workshop community?

Workshop is a friendly place to learn, get ideas and find inspiration for your home improvement projects