Hard to say without knowing the specifics (how cold does it get, how big is the pipe, how steep is the drain) - but I can see 2 scenarios - 1) the salt in the water will help prevent freezing - and it won't be a problem 2) the slow flow of water will act like water dripping off a roof and forming an icicle type thing which will gradually increase in size. We have an outside drain that drains down a hill and I dump occasionally during the winter - some water change water - which I think helps keep it open - but that is a large volume of water at one time. one would hope that the design of a floor Drain would be not to freeze in the winter?
The salt content of the water and the higher TDS of the RO brine might keep the drain from eventually becoming blocked.
PPS - there are at least a couple threads on here - and elsewhere - that suggest saltwater (especially in those concentrations) will be no issue for a septic system - when you consider how much other water is going to go through the system. Then there is rain, etc. I might talk to a septic contractor in your area. As someone else said in another thread - water softener drainage goes into a septic system with no problem
What if I collect the waste water in a holding tank like 20 or 30 gallons and when full pump it all through the drain in one go instead of having it constantly going into the drain at a low flow rate?
Thanks. I just don't feel comfortable putting saltwater into my septic system and want to avoid it if I can. I have a floor drain which would be an ideal solution. I just need to solve the freezing in winter problem.
Well - another solution to prevent freezing is one of those cables that keep the pipe warm making sure that it stays warm. But - just a recommendation from someone who has an outside drain, since you have a relatively uncommon situation - and no one here can see your layout, etc. I would suggest that you talk to someone in your area - because - if the drain freezes, it can be a very costly fix.
And PS - I meant - you need to make sure the cable stays warm - and I was recommending talking to a professional in your area that specializes in those drains. They may be able to totally ease your fears.
I believe you have a 4 inch pipe. There is a chance that at least some water will freeze in the pipe and build up over the winter to block the pipe. Saltwater will freeze. You can look it up and compare it to your average nightly lows in the winter. It be better to collect the water and dump larger volumes. If you can, measure the amount of hold up in the pipe now to see how well the pipe is pitched. Pour a gallon of water down the drain and measure the amount that comes out. Also how ling does it take. A slow drain will ensure freezing.
Yes, you're definitely right I need to talk to a professional. I'm having second thoughts now that the pipe I thought was my basement floor drain exit is actually my floor drain exit. I put a garden hose down the drain and turned it on full blast for 10 minutes. Although water never came back up the drain I didn't notice ANY considerable increase in the water coming out of the exit pipe. Thanks for the advice!
Maybe this will help: https://www.a1tank.net/where-do-basement-floor-drains-go/
I will take a page out of what I do for a living and what we use to prevent drains from freezing in walk in freezers, you may need to install some heat tape to the drain with a controller to turn on and off based on Ambient temp.
Yes it could be or maybe the floor drain is a component of a larger system of foundation drains that all drain to the same exit. I have never used the floor drain in my basement since it has never flooded. Actually I keep the opening sealed with painters tape just to keep any bugs from getting in through it. Probably not helpful but this is what the drain looks like and the exit I thought was the exit for the floor drain. I did notice that a trickle of water was coming out of the exit pipe even before I put the hose down it. The trickle basically stayed the same before during and after I turned the hose on. The exit is in just about the exact spot I would expect it to be if it was connected to the floor drain. Same side of the house and just about the right elevation. Could be a coincidence though.
I can't imagine that a gallon of saltwater a day or 30 gallons at once in a month would impact the trees or downstream neighbors anymore so than the salt that's put on the roads in winter does. But I could be wrong. I plan to have a plumber take a look.
