Hello,

We have a super capacity washing machine and when it goes through the spin cycle the toilet bubbles in. When the cyle is finished the water level is lower than when the wash started. The first flush after the wash is finished is slow, is then it goes back to working great.

Any thoughts, suggestions? We added a vent to the washer but it didn't clear it up and we snaked the drain. What is the code for this type of plumbing?

Thank you!

Hello,

We have a super capacity washing machine and when it goes through the spin cycle the toilet bubbles in. When the cyle is finished the water level is lower than when the wash started. The first flush after the wash is finished is slow, is then it goes back to working great.

Any thoughts, suggestions? We added a vent to the washer but it didn't clear it up and we snaked the drain. What is the code for this type of plumbing?

Thank you!

Good morning Bubbles,

City sewer or septic tank? How old is your house? What type of pipes? Copper? PVC? Galvanized? You have brought your house up to code when you added the vent for the washer. Recently I've been running into complaints that a new washer's backing up but the old washer never gave any problems. I'm not saying this is the case but with the newer more powerful washer pumps sometimes the old 1 1/2" lines won't handle the volume the pump puts out. In the last case I mentioned Maytag came out and replaced the washer with a different model. So the problem isn't always with the drainage system. Answer my questions and we'll began to explore possibilities. Regards, Tom

Lots of good questions: But I think you hit it directly on the head!

Septic, new installation about 20 years ago, waste line is a newer PVC and runs out to the older cast iron system that runs out to the septic. Washer drains into a 1-1/2 PVC (about 48 in above waste line) with a trap. Pitch is good and the entire waste line has been snaked out and there are no blockages. The toilet is about 12 feet horizontally (up pitch) from the washer and is positioned at the end of the waste line. There is a second 1-1/2 vent (up to roof - vent expands to 4 in above ceiling) between toilet and washer inlet. Gurgling appears at beginning of washer dischange and then stops. I believe we did bring it up to code with the second vent (adjacent to washer) - but gurgling still occurs, although not quite as bad.

My analysis (I'm not a plumber): The washer has the power of a Boeing 747 - it is WAY overpowered. I believe the washer dumps so much water, so fast, into the waste line, that it struggles to keep up a good flow down to the pitch. What I was going to try first was to add another stack vent on the other side of the toilet - this would eliminate the toilet being the last feature on the waste line. Also I was wondering if I moved the washer drain T further down the line (8-10 feet down pitch - away from the toilet) if that would change the dynamic.

Suggestions are ALWAYS welcome!

Lots of good questions: But I think you hit it directly on the head!

Septic, new installation about 20 years ago, waste line is a newer PVC and runs out to the older cast iron system that runs out to the septic. Washer drains into a 1-1/2 PVC (about 48 in above waste line) with a trap. Pitch is good and the entire waste line has been snaked out and there are no blockages. The toliet is about 12 feet horizontally (up pitch) from the washer and is positioned at the end of the waste line. There is a second 1-1/2 vent (up to roof - vent expands to 4 in above ceiling) between toliet and washer inlet. Gurgling appears at beginning of washer dischange and then stops. I believe we did bring it up to code with the second vent (adjacent to washer) - but gurgling still occurs, although not quite as bad.

My analysis (I'm not a plumber): The washer has the power of a Boeing 747 - it is WAY overpowered. I believe the washer dumps so much water, so fast, into the waste line, that it struggles to keep up a good flow down to the pitch. What I was going to try first was to add another stack vent on the other side of the toilet - this would eliminate the toilet being the last feature on the waste line. Also I was wondering if I moved the washer drain T further down the line (8-10 feet down pitch - away from the toilet) if that would change the dynamic.

Suggestions are ALWAYS welcome!


Your toilet should be vented by the lavatory vent but since the washer's venting through the toilet that doesn't seem to be the case. The very first thing I would do is add a vent to the toilet. Do that and a lot of your problems should be over, especially those concerning the toilet. If there are problems remaining then we can work on those. Good luck, Tom

Thank you Speedball. We will keep you posted.