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Washer overflow

Asked Oct 4, 2005, 02:46 PM — 3 Answers
Hi! My washing machine is overflowing from it's drain during the drain/rinse cycle. It also back flows thought the pipe and will partially fill the kitchen sink that is connected to the same drain line. The drain is 2" steel, and the house is about 50 old, a single story concrete slab and connected to city sewage. No problems anywhere else in the house. I'm going to dump a drain cleaner in tonight and see if that helps. I tired running my 1/4 snake down it but because of the layout it is difficult to get it to feed and I've pretty much destroyed it. If the chemical clog buster doesn't solve the problem is a professional plumber my only choice?

Thanks!

Alan

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speedball1's Avatar
speedball1 Posts: 27,850, Reputation: 9560
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#2

Oct 5, 2005, 07:54 AM


Hi Alan,

"If the chemical clog buster doesn't solve the problem is a professional plumber my only choice?"

I'm no fan of pouring harsh chemicals down your drainage systen. Especially if you have a septic tank. Besides, they only work in TV commercials.
Your 1/4" snake is only effective on small drain pipes.
Rent a sewer machine and snake from the kitchen roof vent. Put out enough cable to reach the base of the stack and about 25' more. Cycle the washer to both test and flush any debris that may remain. Good luck, Tom
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Stamperman's Avatar
Stamperman Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
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#3

Oct 5, 2005, 01:24 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by speedball1
Hi Alan,

"If the chemical clog buster doesn't solve the problem is a professional plumber my only choice?"

I'm no fan of pouring harsh chemicals down your drainage systen. Especially if you have a septic tank. Besides, they only work in TV commercials.
Your 1/4" snake is only effective on small drain pipes.
Rent a sewer machine and snake from the kitchen roof vent. Put out enough cable to reach the base of the stack and about 25' more. Cycle the washer to both test and flush any debris that may remain. Good luck, Tom
Unfortunatly the vent for this drain T's off the main vent line, going from the roof would bypass the side of the house with a problem. If I took out my water heater I could probably get the piping apart to run a snake down it, but that's even doubtful. I may just cust a section out of the vent, run the snake and then seal it with compression fittings.
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speedball1's Avatar
speedball1 Posts: 27,850, Reputation: 9560
Senior Plumbing Expert
  
#4

Oct 5, 2005, 02:08 PM


Hi Alan,
What material is the trap and stand pipe made of? Cast iron? Plastic? Galvanized?
If you have a washer stand pipe and you can get to the trap You can cut the trap and standpipe out between the trap and the drain. Then send a snake ,(not a dinky 1/4" snake) down the washer drain. Put out plenty of cable ro make sure you get the clog. You may then couple the trap and standpipe back to the drain. Good luck, Tom
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