Ask Me Help Desk - New washing machine causing sewer back up?

Just under a month ago, my Mom and step-father gifted us with a new washer and dryer. The washer we had was approximately 13-14 years old, and while working mostly fine, I think was probably on it's last legs.

While using the old washer, we would (for the last several months) have to shut it off for a bit during the draining portions of the cycle, as the drain in our basement floor (the washer is located on the main floor) would burble and back up if we did not shut if off in time. After it rested a bit, we would resume the cycle and water wouldn't back up.

Since using the new washer, the problem has increased to where water is now leaking out of the pipe against the wall in the basement. My husband thought he heard something, but couldn't actually see anything until Friday when he pulled a bunch of stuff out of the tiny closet the pipes are in and discovered wet everything ---- carpet, pillows that were there, boxes, etc. :( Now we are afraid to run the washer (a serious problem with 3 children in the family), and don't know what to do. Yes, the obvious solution would be to call a plumber, but we don't have the money for a major repair, and I just know that the labor would be hideous on this job due to the location of the pipes. We want to try all that we can to fix this ourselves.

Our first course of action is to dump root killer down the toilet tonight. There is a large tree growing perhaps 5' away from our sewer, and the branches spread out to where they hang over the sewer, so surely the roots are that direction as well. (Thanks to the squirrel that planted a nut there years and years ago; we should have removed it when it was still a stick!). We are going to try running small laundry loads in warm water (this was mentioned in an article my husband found online, something about cold water running like maple syrup through pipes in the winter?). My other option at this point is to stand at the washer and turn it off periodically during the draining portions of the cycle. :(

We have had the drain augered a couple of times since we moved in, once when I dumped potato peels down the disposal and another time). Feminine products aren't flushed, but we do use flushable wipes several times a day. Could those be causing a problem? Is there another course of action to take besides what I've mentioned above? I just don't know what to do here, and frankly both my husband and I feel like breaking into tears (or lots of cursing) about this. It's just "one more thing" we don't need, you know?

Our house was built in 1928, and the pipes are cast iron, at least the ones we have not had replaced over the 11 years we've lived here.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice,

Tami

Good morning Tami,

"While using the old washer, we would (for the last several months) have to shut it off for a bit during the draining portions of the cycle, as the drain in our basement floor (the washer is located on the main floor) would burble and back up if we did not shut if off in time. After it rested a bit, we would resume the cycle and water wouldn't back up. Since using the new washer, the problem has increased to where water is now leaking out of the pipe against the wall in the basement "

You have just described a partial blockage. With the new washer, the pump is stronger, so you get more water faster but the clog remains backing up more water. The first thing you must do is determine exactly just where the clog is, in you house drain or the sewer line to the (1) street or (2) a septic tank. (Pick one and let me know what it is).
Most plumbers in those years left a cleanout next to the house,( It's code now). This cleanout will be found within 18" of the house foundation and brought up to grade. Locate it and open it up. Now cycle the washer and look in the cleanout. If there's water coming out the open clean out the problem's outside the house in the sewer line. If it backs up in the house but the cleanout's clear then you must snake from a roof vent. Locate where the blockage is and I can walk you through the repair if you wish.
Good luck, Tom

Thank you very much for your help Tom. We'll do as you described and I'll let you know what the results are.

We have a problem. Apparently the hex nut that is on top of the sewer clean out is stripped. We've had no luck getting it open. My husband just applied some Liquid Wrench to it, but I don't know how that will work. Any hints/tips on that one?

Thanks.

My husband thinks that a pipe is broken/cracked; he is convinced of it. I tried to do a small load of wash and the water was immediately leaking. He won't let me dump any clog remover down the pipe because it runs through his office. Is there a way to tell if a pipe is cracked if you can't see it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapriSun

We have a problem. Apparently the hex nut that is on top of the sewer clean out is stripped. We've had no luck getting it open. My husband just applied some Liquid Wrench to it, but I don't know how that will work. Any hints/tips on that one?

Thanks.

It is metal? Work it over good with a hammer. You don't want to smash it or bend it, but just flex it enough to break the corrosion. You might try heating it with a torch too, and then quenching it with water. You can also use a chisel or punch near the edge to drive it in the direction it should turn.

Hi Capri,

The clean out cover is made of brass. When it gets stubborn and refuses to budge I take a hammer and chisel and use it like a impact driver. Make a notch in the cover with the chisel for purchase and see if you can beat it out counterclockwise. As a last resort I take my hammer and beat on the middle until it breaks and take it out in pieces. You can always replace it with a replacement cover.. good luck, Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapriSun

Just under a month ago, my Mom and step-father gifted us with a new washer and dryer. The washer we had was approximately 13-14 years old, and while working mostly fine, I think was probably on it's last legs.

While using the old washer, we would (for the last several months) have to shut it off for a bit during the draining portions of the cycle, as the drain in our basement floor (the washer is located on the main floor) would burble and back up if we did not shut if off in time. After it rested a bit, we would resume the cycle and water wouldn't back up.

Since using the new washer, the problem has increased to where water is now leaking out of the pipe against the wall in the basement. My husband thought he heard something, but couldn't actually see anything until Friday when he pulled a bunch of stuff out of the tiny closet the pipes are in and discovered wet everything ---- carpet, pillows that were there, boxes, etc. :( Now we are afraid to run the washer (a serious problem with 3 children in the family), and don't know what to do. Yes, the obvious solution would be to call a plumber, but we don't have the money for a major repair, and I just know that the labor would be hideous on this job due to the location of the pipes. We want to try all that we can to fix this ourselves.

Our first course of action is to dump root killer down the toilet tonight. There is a large tree growing perhaps 5' away from our sewer, and the branches spread out to where they hang over the sewer, so surely the roots are that direction as well. (Thanks to the squirrel that planted a nut there years and years ago; we should have removed it when it was still a stick!). We are going to try running small laundry loads in warm water (this was mentioned in an article my husband found online, something about cold water running like maple syrup through pipes in the winter?). My other option at this point is to stand at the washer and turn it off periodically during the draining portions of the cycle. :(

We have had the drain augered a couple of times since we moved in, once when I dumped potato peels down the disposal and another time). Feminine products aren't flushed, but we do use flushable wipes several times a day. Could those be causing a problem? Is there another course of action to take besides what I've mentioned above? I just don't know what to do here, and frankly both my husband and I feel like breaking into tears (or lots of cursing) about this. It's just "one more thing" we don't need, you know?

Our house was built in 1928, and the pipes are cast iron, at least the ones we have not had replaced over the 11 years we've lived here.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice,

Tami

Your drain pipe for the washer is too small.Try drilling a hole through the floor and install a pvc 2inch pipe for a new drain.Have pipe come from upper floor down to basement ,then install a trap and put new pvc drain through your basement wall to outside . BURY DRAIN PIPE AND AT IT'S END WEAR WATER WILL EMPTY OUT DIG A PIT AND FILL WITH GRAVEL .If you live in the country,if in city have pipe empty into the sewer .
Main problem is your current pipes are not big enough to handle the rapid unloading of the washer it pumps out water faster than pipes can carry it away.

Flushing anything down the toilet that was not meant to be flushed will end up causing more problems then they are worth. Those wipes do not disintegrate like toilet tissue does. As a matter of fact, if you were to put one in a bucket of water, it would actually be some time before it fell apart enough to be considered "flushable". Get the entire line snaked out and check the clean out. And don't flush any more wipes.