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Deanibot · Jul 21, 2009, 05:55 AM

Ok, so I just got a new house and the guy who renovated it was one of those "mr. fix-it" type people who knows the concept of what needs to be done, but never does the job right. So he decided he could do everything himself.

Here's the problem: when I flush my toilet, drain my tub, run my dishwasher or drain any significant amount of water, it backs up my washer standpipe. I confirmed this the other day by getting my friend to flush some toilet paper to see what happened, and it shot my washer drain out of the standpipe and sprayed my basement with water and little bits of toilet paper, :( ew.

My stand pipe is 2" throughout and 3' high with an s-trap in it. This leads to another 3' horizontal section with a 90 then another 3' horizontal section, which is leveled and is in a corner of the basement.

I thought about using a compression fitting and changing the s to a p-trap, but I am worried about the sewage backup happening again, help! Lol thanks in advance guys.

-Dean

speedball1 · Jul 21, 2009, 06:04 AM

I thought about using a compression fitting and changing the s to a p-trap,

You do know that if you install a "P" trap that you will have to vent it don't you?
Sounds like you have a partial blockage downstream from the washer. City sewer or septic tank? Can you locate your house clean out? If so, open it up and cycle the washer. Dpoes the pipe fill up? Let me know. Tom

Deanibot · Jul 21, 2009, 06:12 AM

It is city sewer and the plumbing is brand new, the whole house was gutted and re-done, so I doubt that the pipe itself is plugged. I run the washer and is comes out right away, and if I flush my toilet it comes up the standpipe at a very fast rate.

If I go with a p trap, how would I vent to make it work properly?

Deanibot · Jul 21, 2009, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by Deanibot

if i flush my toilet it comes up the standpipe at a very fast rate

I should have said that I have to flush it 2 times in a row to get this to happen. Also, when running my dishwasher, it only backs up once in a while.

speedball1 · Jul 21, 2009, 06:31 AM

Originally Posted by Deanibot

It is city sewer and the plumbing is brand new, the whole house was gutted and re-done, so i doubt that the pipe itself is plugged. i run the washer and is comes out right away, and if i flush my toilet it comes up the standpipe at a very fast rate.

if i go with a p trap, how would i vent to make it work properly?

I doubt that the sewer to the street was replaced and that's what I'm asking you to check. If there were a partial clog between the house and the street that would give you the symtems you describe. If all the pipes are clear the only thing remaining is a faulty plumbing design.
A question comes to mind. Did a licensed plumber do the repipe job? Was the job inspected and passed? Since "S" traps are outlawed in every plumbing code how did it get past the inspector? Kind of makes the "faulty plumbing design" more believable doesn't it?
You ask how to vent the washer. Here's a rough drawing. (open up attachment) or you could install a air admittance valve on the "S" trap,(see image) good luck, Tom

Deanibot · Jul 21, 2009, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by speedball1

I doubt that the sewer to the street was replaced and that's what I'm asking you to check........ Did a licensed plumber do the repipe job? Was the job inspected and passed? Since "S" traps are outlawed in every plumbing code how did it get past the inspector?

I was not clear on which pipe we were talking about, but now that I do I will have to check the pipe you you mentioned.

As for a licensed plumber, I highly doubt that the previous owner had any licence for doing this. The plumbing for this entire setup is completely free-standing and not mounted in any way, too.

Thanks for the advice, I will check for blockage, and possibly may need to change my stack and trap.