We rented a 50' snake and snaked out both main water drains from the outside of the house and that didn't work. Should we be snaking from inside the house or at the washing machine drain itself, even though the water is overflowing somewhere else? Thanks for any help!

Laurie

Since water from washers contains a lot of lint and debris, thses drains are susceptible to clogging even though drain water pressure is high. Can you see any cleanouts in the house? They should look like the main drain but smaller. There is a blockage somewhere after the washer drain and before the main drain and the water backs up into the sink. Try to follow the drain line that connects these 2.

Thank you. Yes, we snaked the only two clean outs we could find, as well as the main drain and it didn't solve the problem yet. I am wondering if we should get on the roof and try through a ventilation pipe next, or try to snake through an inside drain. Kind of stuck now...

PS... I have BioRid purchased from the plumber a while back and am starting to put that in a different drain every night to see if that will help.

Down the vent is fairly common. I think you have a clog in a small diameter pipe, 1.5 or 2". Check for a cleanout under your bathroom or kitchen DWV. Brian

Yes, our pipes are PVC and fairly small. Like others posted here, we have a high powered LG front loader, but have had it for some time without issue. Guess we will try other drains in the house and repost what we discover.

I have opened drains and found all kinds of things, no diamond rings, but money, 9mm round, bobby pins, lots of grease, soap scum, all the good things of life. People stuff the p trap arm into the wall, close a 2" pipe to 1/2" and then call me and say, "I know the plumbing is clear, I just looked in it, what's wrong?" I'd also try lots of very hot water into the farthest drain from the main. Keep us posted, always learning something new! I'm sure Mark could expound on all the treasures he has discovered. Brian