Check out some similar questions!

pleasehelp251 · Feb 6, 2011, 07:59 PM

I have a washer that on occasion will not drain properly. The washer works fine but when it needs to drain the water is blocked and begins to leak out at the hose and pipe connection. The installation of the drain was not done professionally so it is probably not deep enough below the frost line. I had put foam insulation wrapped in heavy duty plastic sheeting on the part that comes out of the house before it goes under ground and has helped in the past, but this year with all the ice and snow it froze anyway. Is there any way to unclog the frozen part? I did not know if there was something like a salt mixture, antifreeze, or anything else that could be added that would work like a drano type application. This is also on a system that is associated with a septic system. It is not hooked up directly with the system, but has it's own leeching system. The pipes are plastic not metal so I don't want to do something that will cause more damage.

ma0641 · Feb 7, 2011, 05:02 PM

It is probably freezing before it gets into the ground. Try pouring hot water on the exposed piping and then hot water down the washer drain pipe. Might consider a small heat tape on the exposed piping but be careful with plastic. PVC or CPVC?

pleasehelp251 · Feb 7, 2011, 06:14 PM

Thank you!! I will try that and let you know how it comes out.

ballengerb1 · Feb 7, 2011, 08:15 PM

Where do you live? This is not how a drain line is supposed to exit the home. Did it happen last winter too? Its likely freezing but it could just be clogged. There should be a clean out within 18" of the foundation, inside or out. Have you tried to rod it?

pleasehelp251 · Feb 7, 2011, 08:52 PM

ballengerb1,

The house is very old and in Massachusetts. The washer and dryer are in an alcove in kitchen and there is an 1.5" wide pvc pipe that goes from the washer to the out side where it comes out straight for about 3" and then goes straight down into the ground and extends about 50yrds into the yard. The part that is from the house to the ground is about 2' in length. It was just an exposed pvc pipe and for quite a few years if it got really cold it would freeze until we had a few days of warmer weather. I decided to wrap the pipe in that foam pipe insulation and then cover with heavy black plastic sheeting to keep foam from getting wet and damaged. It solved the problem for many years, either that or it did not get cold enough to freeze, but this year it is frozen again. I am trying hot water on pipe that is still covered with what I put on it and then trying to see if hot water from washer would also melt ice. I have only tried this once and will try again tomorrow. Unless you have a different solution. I just didn't know if there is something I could put in the water that would melt the ice better or if I should see a professional. Thank you for the time to help me as it is something that is highly annoying and inconvenient.

ballengerb1 · Feb 8, 2011, 02:51 PM

So this pipe does not connect to city sewer or to a septic tank, right?

pleasehelp251 · Feb 8, 2011, 06:36 PM

No it goes to it's own "leaching" field. I have been pouring hot water onto the outside pipe and trying to get as much of the hot water through the pipe but nothing seems to be changing. I am going to try to snake the pipe tomorrow to see if I can determine where the blockage is. If it is further down the pipe than what is exposed, at least I can stop pouring water on the wrong spot. What if I was to lay some calcium chloride and water over where the pipe begins under ground and see if I can't get the ground to thaw some so that if I can get hot water there it may melt the ice in the pipe. I tried to download a picture I took but it won't allow me.

ballengerb1 · Feb 8, 2011, 08:24 PM

Leach field, unusual unless in farming area. What have your nighttime temps been lately?

hkstroud · Feb 8, 2011, 09:18 PM

Would not suggest trying to snake the line. No snake is going to penetrate the ice. A spear head might bore into the ice a little ways but will probably break off. If it doesn't break the spear head will eventually bore through the side of the pipe.
The most logical reason for this to occur is that the ground is frozen down to the depth of the pipe. If that is true, clearing the pipe will not help. The water still has no where to go.

If you can't wait for warmer weather to do laundry, I suggest cutting the pipe above ground, put in a tee and run piping to acceptable location. When warmer weather comes (if it ever does) cut the above ground pipe and cap off the tee. Save pipe for next winter.