I just replaced the laundry sink in my 1940s home. In process I noted what I assumed was a vent pipe (approx. 2" diameter) coming out of basement floor at 45 degree and then turning and going straight up. A joint on this pipe was corroded and came apart; it appeared to be pretty blocked on the interior. I tried to fix it with rubber sleeve with metal clamps. When I ran fist load of laundry, the water emptied from washer into laundry tub but then started coming out of the broken joint, eventually running into nearby floor drain. Any thoughts on why this might be happening and how to fix? Thanks. Tom

Hi Tom:

Sounds like the drain line was corroded and is also clogged! My first thought is that this is more so a DRAIN line from above then a vent from below... but hard for me to say. Look above where the pipe goes vertical... is the kitchen right above this.. If so, you will also need to be adding a mechanical vent to this setup... if not, then may not be a concern here... let me know.

Back at the leaking pipe I would recommend that you take the rubber sleeve with metal clamps apart and then I would use a WET VACUUM to clear the drain of anything that you can see inside the pipe. Then I would run a hose into the pipe and see if it can drain from there.

If still doesn't drain after using the hose you may need to purchase a drain king pressure tool (see pic.). Here, you connect the drain king to a hose and then push it down into the drain line for a foot or more and then turn on the water full pressure... the tool expands against the wall of the pipe and setnds a "jet" of water down the drain line. Run this for a minute at a time and see if the drain clears (be careful of back pressure when releasing the hose pressure).

If that does not unclog this drain you may need to rent a medium electric snake (see pic.). You will need leather gloves and a pair of safety glasses to use this tool safely. Send the cable down the line, run some water down the drain periodically while working the cable and that should fix this all up once and for all.

At the leaking clamp I would recommend that you use the right clamps for the job if you can. Depending on the pipe coming out of the ground you may need shielded clamps (see 1st clamp) or even the 4 band clamps (see 2nd clamp)...but NEVER use fernco clamps (see last pic.) above ground if it can be helped. I would also recommend that you install a clean out at this drain line for future snaking!!

Anyway, that is a start for you. Unclog that drain line, let me know if the kitchen sink is above this or is draining into this drain line, and also let me know what kinds of pipes are in place... cast iron? Galvanized?

I will be back later today... check back for my response.. or maybe Tom or Bob or others will pop in and continue with this thread. Good luck... MARK

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