Our new washer was backing up in our older (1920) house's drain, I checked online and found this site and figured out how to create a water tight seal that works great, but now I guess it's not draining fast enough and I just realized the machine has been cycling for 2 hours. So not good. This is a rental that is for sale, so I'm really limited on options here. We had a plumber come clear the lines but he could only go so far. It appears a house addition years ago buried the clean out opening for the sewer pipe, so we can't go any farther then what he could reach from the roof. Water runs fine in all other drains, and a hose on full doesn't back up in the drain. What can I do? Drain it into the back yard?

Thanks, Amy

speedball1

If the drain line were completely blocked and not allowing the discharge to pass the pump would continue to pump against the blockage. This is not the fault of the washer or the sealed hook up, but the problem lies with the clogged drain line.
Whoa!! If the plumber took enough cable up to the he should be able to reach the street frrom there. What excuse did he give for not being able to clear the line? That line must be snaked and cleared, draining the washer out in the yard is not a option. Good luck Tom

Synthea

It can't be completely blocked, because a hose down the same drain runs fine.

His hand snake was pretty short and he said his power one was too big for the line on the roof I guess? It was free for me, he's a friend of the landlord.

Could it be there's no air release? I don't know the proper term for it, but I saw it mentioned on this site.

Thanks for the response!

speedball1

You made it a closed system because it was backing up outta the stand pipe. And now you say the line's clear? Let's check the washer. Pull the hose and hook it over a large pail, (Set the pail up a little higher the the rim of the washer) Now put the fill on small and cycle the washer. Does it work OK now. Let me know..
So he never got out to the blockage. As a rule you don't take a hand snake up on the roof. Most service trucks carry two power snakes. A ridged K-60 for the larger pipes and a K -30 for sink and lavatory vents and drains. Did your plumber work out of his house or does he work for a plumbing company? Let me know what your washer did. Ps, What's this "Air release" that you speak of.? please explain. Regards, Tom