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    pageturner's Avatar
    pageturner Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 12, 2008, 07:59 AM
    Backed up washing machine drain
    The washing machine at the house I am moving into is overflowing when it drains. I tried to snake the pipe but it did not do the job. So I went to Home Depot and bought one of those black rubber bladders that goes on the end of a house and you insert into the drain pipe. Figured it would force the blockage out and I would be back in business.I turned on the water and the bladder expanded and the water flowed into the drain pipe. After a while I heard a noice in the kitchen and I find that the water is now overflowing the kitchen sink.
    It took a while for the kitchen sink to drain. What do I do now?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Nov 12, 2008, 10:46 AM
    We usedto call those things sewer bags, (see image).
    .I turned on the water and the bladder expanded and the water flowed into the drain pipe. After a while I heard a noice in the kitchen and I find that the water is now overflowing the kitchen sink.
    Didn't the instructions tell you that in order for a sewer bag to work ALL openings such as vents and branches containing fixture drains MUST be closed off?
    Forget the sewer bag. Get yourself a hand held power snake, (see image)and snak the line from the washer stand pipe or either the washer or the kitchen roof vent. If you go down from the roof vent send the snake all the way to the base and 20 feet more. You may have to rent a larger sewer machine,(see image) if you go on the roof. Good luck and thank you for rating my reply. Tom
    pageturner's Avatar
    pageturner Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 12, 2008, 11:00 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    We usedto call those things sewer bags, (see image).

    Didn't the instructions tell you that in order for a sewer bag to work ALL openings such as vents and branches containing fixture drains MUST be closed off?
    Forget the sewer bag. Get yourself a hand held power snake, (see image)and snak the line from the washer stand pipe or either the washer or the kitchen roof vent. If you go down from the roof vent send the snake all the way to the base and 20 feet more. You may have to rent a larger sewer machine,(see image) if you go on the roof. good luck and thank you for rating my reply. Tom
    Thanks for the reply.
    I did not see anything in the directions about shutting off the openings. I'm not sure how I would have done that. I had no way of knowing what else was on the branch.
    I think I will rent a larger power snake and go through the roof vent. This is a one story house. How many feet of cable will I need?
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    Nov 12, 2008, 11:11 AM
    I think I will rent a larger power snake and go through the roof vent. This is a one story house. How many feet of cable will I need?
    Twoi rolls oughta get it. Down here most of our homes are one story and it's quicker to snake from the roof then to pulol a toilet and go in from there. Figure 28 feet to get to the base and 20 more to get out to the house main. 40 feet should do it. Good luck, Tom
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