Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    aluminex's Avatar
    aluminex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 15, 2008, 09:28 AM
    I am in desperate need of assistance. Basement drain backing up.
    I am in desperate need of some good advice and direction.

    My wife and I purchased a house recently and the previous home owner is deceased. We have our washer and dryer in the basement and that is our main issue.
    The drain goes under the basement floor and it actually has a few drain holes throughout the basement. Every time my wife washes clothes the water backs up and comes up out of the drain holes into our basement. Sometimes she can wash 1 load.. sometimes 3 or 4 before it backs up.

    How can I find out where the drain is stopped?

    There is a possibility the drain was covered on the other end when we had our driveway installed but I can't be sure. How can I find out where the drain ends if it's covered up?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Nov 15, 2008, 09:38 AM
    Is your home on a septic tank or city sewer? Cheers, Tom
    aluminex's Avatar
    aluminex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Nov 15, 2008, 09:42 AM
    90% sure city sewer.

    What I mean is we have a septic tank but... this area was converted over to city sewer a few years ago.. however, the neighbors tell me my kitchen is still on the septic tank because the work never got finished.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Nov 15, 2008, 09:58 AM
    Every time my wife washes clothes the water backs up and comes up out of the drain holes into our basement. Sometimes she can wash 1 load.. sometimes 3 or 4 before it backs up. 90% sure city sewer.
    You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. Rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there. Good luck, Tom
    aluminex's Avatar
    aluminex Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Nov 15, 2008, 02:27 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there. good luck, Tom
    Sorry.. Im not expert by any means.. but wouldn't my toilets back up if that was the problem? Again.. just asking.. because the basement drain seems to be the only issue


    Something to add... if it rains it backs up faster like 1 load washed but we can get away with 2 loads if it hasn't rained
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #6

    Nov 16, 2008, 10:43 AM
    Im not expert by any means.. but wouldn't my toilets back up if that was the problem?
    Not unless your toilets are lower then the floor drain. Showers,tubs and floor drains are the closest to the floor and will back up first if all are on the same level.
    something to add... if it rains it backs up faster like 1 load washed but we can get away with 2 loads if it hasn't rained
    Sure sounds like a loaded septic tank but there is another explanation, If you have a partial clog and the rain water runoff's connected to the sewer line then that would explain why it backs up more durning wet weather.
    Let me repeat my advice.
    You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. Rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there.
    Good luck, Tom
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Basement drain backing up into laundry room [ 2 Answers ]

Hello, Every time I empty the kitchen sink the water backs up through the basement floor drain into my laundry room. This does not occur when we flush the toilet or shower, only when we use the kitchen sink. We had a plumber come snake our system but he did not snake through the floor drain, he...

Basement floor drain backing up [ 6 Answers ]

All... I purchased my two family flat about three years ago and at that time had no plumbing issues. About six months back I bought a new clothes washer and all of the sudden the drain couldn't handle the water coming from the washer. Since the connection was basically a direct connection (flex...

Basement Floor Drain Backing up [ 1 Answers ]

My basement floor drain is backed up and there is an awful sewer smell. I've done some research on this forum and it appears the drain needs to be snaked. Now, should I buy a manual snake from the local hardware store or should I rent the electric version? I'm leaning toward buying the manual...

Basement drain backing up [ 7 Answers ]

Hello, my name is April. I recently purchased my house almost 2 years ago,(house is over 50 years old, I think) I learn 3 days into moving into my house that the basement flooded. It was due to a heavy rain fall but shortly after that the drains would back up in the basement, like the laundry...

Help Me Please! Basement drain is backing up [ 1 Answers ]

Please help. I purchased my home about 3 1/2 years ago. The home was built approximately in 1950. My basement has two drains both have overflowed once each. The first time we called in Roto Rooter and he had used the snake to clean out one of the pipes and put a cap on it (the other cap was...

View more questions Search