Unusual Washer Overflow

speedball1 · Dec 7, 2004, 06:55 PM

If I were a betting man I'd bet that you were on a septic tank system.
Would I win?

JTedder · Dec 8, 2004, 12:12 PM

You are correct sir. Sorry for leaving that out. I think I'm cool on the tank though. All the toliets flush and all of the drains drain. No back up into the tub or shower when the washer drain overflows either. Stumped...

speedball1 · Dec 8, 2004, 11:00 PM

How high is your stand pipe? What size?

JTedder · Dec 9, 2004, 03:18 AM

Its a 2" dia. That's about 3" above the top of the washer. It only has about 30" before the trap though. Then it "Ts" into the main down pipe (where I ran the snake). The fact that I can run 2 rinse cycles back to back without it overflowing if what miffs me. If it was blockage that should cause an overflow I would think.

speedball1 · Dec 9, 2004, 06:44 AM

[The fact that I can run 2 rinse cycles back to back without it overflowing if what miffs me. If it was blockage that should cause an overflow I would think.]
That tells me that the partial clog is out of the house because it takes a third discharge to back it up.
[All the toliets flush and all of the drains drain. No back up into the tub or shower when the washer drain overflows loads of discharge to fill it up enough to over flow.]
In a well designed septic system the discharge from kitchens and laundrys are on a separate line that leads to a grease trap that prevents kitchen debris and laundry grease and fiber from fouling the septic system before sending the liquid on to the tank. If the grease trap needs cleaning, (and they all do from time to time) then the back up wouldn't affect the tub or shower. That would take the mystery out of what's happening. I'm betting on a grease trap that needs cleaning. Do I win again? Cheers, Tom

JTedder · Dec 9, 2004, 02:53 PM

First off: you're awesome for replying to all my posts. Thanks a bunch man.

More info: Let me clarify a bit here. I run 2 rinses (no clothes, no soap) back to back and no overflow. Next day the FIRST load of clothes washed backs up the overflow. I would think a partial clog would drain down over night.
Plumbing info: I've got traps at the sink and at the washer drain pipe. None after that. Washer drain->trap->down tube with a vent->90

speedball1 · Dec 10, 2004, 09:54 AM

I still wonder abouit where the kitchen and the laundry discharge. Do you have a basement or are you on a slab? If you don't get a backup in the lowest spots in the house then the laundry has to be on a separate line.
A partial blockage should drain down over night. I wish I were there but since I'm not I'm as mystified as you are. Any more information? Cheers, Tom

TheDean · Feb 21, 2005, 11:27 PM

When we run the washing machine, the drain backs up and water overflows. It only happens during the cycle where it pumps the water out. I snaked the pipe maybe 20 feet. It didn't seem to run into anything or did it have anything on the end of the snake. I used two bottles of professional strength liquid plumber foaming snake. It still is backing up, any suggestions?
Also (a little more info (I noticed a lot of people don't give enough info at the beginning)) our house is about 50 years old, has a basement (where the washer and drying are), and the drain pipe is 1 1/2" pvc. The drain pipe connects to one of two main drain pipes leading to the ground. Also it shares a main drain with the kitchen sink and dishwasher (which is newly updated.)

speedball1 · Feb 22, 2005, 03:31 PM

Tell me more about the washer vent. Are you saying the washer trap discharges into a vertical pipe the has the lower part as the drain and the upper part as the vent? Is that the layout? Cheers, Tom

Unusual Washer Overflow

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