We have a sewer smell in our washing machine it begins while filling up and gets stronger as cycles are gone through. The house is 3 years old and has done this since new but has gotten worse. The clothes do NOT smell and clothes come out clean. Yes there is a p trap. It does this with all cold and or all hot and mixed temp water. The washer sits almost directly over our main sewer line to the street. It is located on the 1st floor of a 2 story house(no basement). Our house sits on a slight up side to the street.
Any help would be appreciated.

Hey Liz,
Is the washer trap and standpipe vented? Do you bleach your whites? I assume the smell's comi8ng from the open washer as nit's filling. Now we have to figure out if it's bacteria in the washer or in the supplies. Shut the water off and take the washer hoses off. Smell the screens. Any odor there? Now stick your head in the washer and smell. Come back and tell me what you find out. Regards, Tom

Hey Liz,
Is the washer trap and standpipe vented? Do you bleach your whites? I assume the smell's comi8ng from the open washer as nit's filling. now we have to figure out if it's bacteria in the washer or in the supplies. Shut the water off and take the washer hoses off. Smell the screens. Any odor there? Now stick your head in the washer and smell. Come back and tell me what you find out. Regards, Tom

I have pics of open wall at construction. P trap (black) goes to stand pipe (black)this stand pipe goes up through attic(I think pics are at floor level didn't think to take attic pic but will look in attic today) as far as I can see no separate vent(white?) at the washer just p trap to stand pipe. I will go and run the test you mention thank you so much

You should have a set up like this if you're vented, (see images) Let me know, Tom

Hey Liz,
Is the washer trap and standpipe vented? Do you bleach your whites? I assume the smell's comi8ng from the open washer as nit's filling. now we have to figure out if it's bacteria in the washer or in the supplies. Shut the water off and take the washer hoses off. Smell the screens. Any odor there? Now stick your head in the washer and smell. Come back and tell me what you find out. Regards, Tom

Aloha Tom
The p trap goes into the black pipe (stack?) this stack pipe has a 2nd floor bath(directly above 1st floor washer) that runs into it and then the stack goes straight up into attic and through roof (black all the way up and out.)
Took hoses both cold/hot off from wall(didn't pull out washer will if need to smell other end)the wall end of hoses smelt clean no screens on that end.. Took drain hose out of drain in wall and no smell. No smell of the sewer smell in tub of washer with it off and empty .
It's really strong as the tub fills you are right about that.Again thanks for any help
Liz


Aloha Tom
The p trap goes into the black pipe (stack?) this stack pipe has a 2nd floor bath(directly above 1st floor washer) that runs into it and then the stack goes straight up into attic and thru roof (black all the way up and out.)
Took hoses both cold/hot off from wall(didn't pull out washer will if need to smell other end)the wall end of hoses smelt clean no screens on that end.. Took drain hose out of drain in wall and no smell. No smell of the sewer smell in tub of washer with it off and empty .
It's really strong as the tub fills you are right about that.Again thanks for any help
Liz

OH and I don't bleach I use spray n wash on collars

Try this. Dump 1/2 gallon of bleach into the tub. Let it set for a few hours and then cycle then washer. Then cycle it again and let me know about the smell. Good luck, Tom

Thank you SOOOOO much! I am one of those overkill types. I poured clorox into the drain hose,used a turkey baster and put clorox in wall drain, put 1/2 bottle in washer and ran soak cycle. Then ran rinse a few times . NO SMELL...
You have No idea . Here in Hawaii we don't have crafts people like you in the trades I have been running in circles and my builder would not help.
Mahalo if you visit Hawaii anytime in the future my husband and I will make you dinner.
Liz

Thanks Liz! Just glad you got fixed up. Then it was ,indeed, bacteria that invaded your washer. My roomie, Teresa Marie, used to own a condo in Hawaii some years back and we may just take you up on your invitation. Aloha from Florida! Tom

I lost e mail for a while bad storms last week or so be glad you are not here now. I added you to contacts if that helps you reach us if you decide to come to Hawaii.
Thanks again still no smell can't believe it wasn't sewer gas but VERY happy:)