View Full Version : Washing Machine drain pipe
tamwhite
Jan 4, 2009, 12:56 PM
How to stop the washing machine drain pipe from over flowing when the water is spinning out.
Thanks
Milo Dolezal
Jan 4, 2009, 02:24 PM
You have one of two things happening:
1. Clogged drain
2. Undersized pipes
Or combination of the two above...
Solution: if drains are clogged you will have to have them snaked. If the pipe is undersized, you can install 2" stand pipe about 36" tall.
nczernikow
Jan 4, 2009, 07:57 PM
I am having the same problem with my washer drain. The pipe is old cast iron 1 1/2". There is a p-trap and then about a foot of horizontal pipe that meets a "T" south to the sewer and north vents through the roof. I have heared about a "vertical surge pipe" but I don't know how they work. I would love to find out how to install a vertical surge pipe if it will fix the problem. Has anyone ever heard of this or know how to do it?
mygirlsdad77
Jan 4, 2009, 08:26 PM
Milo said it. If this problem has just occured(been fine for years). Then you will have to snake washer drain. If you have just purchased a new washer(they put out a lot more water during drain cycle) then undersized piping will need to be corrected.
Same answer to you ncz. Older washer drains(galv above floor, and ci below floor) tend to plug up over years of use, due to lint. And it was common back in the days of cast iron for a laundy to tie into a kitchen sink drain. So now you have food waste, and washing machine waste clogging the drain. Only real way to solve this is to auger the drain.
nczernikow
Jan 5, 2009, 09:02 AM
Thanks Mygirlsdad77. Unfortunately we have already snaked the drain and even ran a waterhose full throttle down the drain. There appears to be no clog just too small a drain pipe. My question is how to remedy the size of the drain pipe. I had this issue in another home and hired a plumber to fix it (very expensive). I would like to maybe add an aditional vent or maybe a wash tub for the washer to drain into. Any idea if either will work? If so which one to try first?
I have attached a picture of a possible solition, but I don't quite get the picture. Can anyone explain how this works?
mygirlsdad77
Jan 5, 2009, 05:03 PM
Adding a wash tub would be a very good way to remedy the problem. I don't think that adding a vent will cure the problem if drain is undersized. But it would be best to add a vent and a washtub.