I am in desperate need of some good advice and direction.

My wife and I purchased a house recently and the previous home owner is deceased. We have our washer and dryer in the basement and that is our main issue.
The drain goes under the basement floor and it actually has a few drain holes throughout the basement. Every time my wife washes clothes the water backs up and comes up out of the drain holes into our basement. Sometimes she can wash 1 load.. sometimes 3 or 4 before it backs up.

How can I find out where the drain is stopped?

There is a possibility the drain was covered on the other end when we had our driveway installed but I can't be sure. How can I find out where the drain ends if it's covered up?

Is your home on a septic tank or city sewer? Cheers, Tom

90% sure city sewer.

What I mean is we have a septic tank but... this area was converted over to city sewer a few years ago.. however, the neighbors tell me my kitchen is still on the septic tank because the work never got finished.

Every time my wife washes clothes the water backs up and comes up out of the drain holes into our basement. Sometimes she can wash 1 load.. sometimes 3 or 4 before it backs up. 90% sure city sewer.
You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. Rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there. Good luck, Tom

You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there. good luck, Tom

Sorry.. Im not expert by any means.. but wouldn't my toilets back up if that was the problem? Again.. just asking.. because the basement drain seems to be the only issue


Something to add... if it rains it backs up faster like 1 load washed but we can get away with 2 loads if it hasn't rained

Im not expert by any means.. but wouldn't my toilets back up if that was the problem? Not unless your toilets are lower then the floor drain. Showers,tubs and floor drains are the closest to the floor and will back up first if all are on the same level.

something to add... if it rains it backs up faster like 1 load washed but we can get away with 2 loads if it hasn't rained Sure sounds like a loaded septic tank but there is another explanation, If you have a partial clog and the rain water runoff's connected to the sewer line then that would explain why it backs up more durning wet weather.
Let me repeat my advice.
You have a partial blockage in your sewer line that needs to be snaked out. Rent a sewer machine, (see image) and locate either the house cleanout or a cleanout tee located on a vertical stack. Snake the line from there. Good luck, Tom