Sir, my 2nd floor tenant just got a new washer. In the basement is a hookup for both apts. And this is the first tenant to use the 2nd floor hookup since I've owned the unit. The drain runs parallel to the wall and there is about 8 to 10 ft. Between the two washer drains on the line. When the new (brand new) washer drains, it overflows back to the 1st floors drain and water comes out of both drain pipes. The 1st floor washer is at the end of the line, so the water is really backing up. I have taken a rope and drilled a hole into the wood beam above the end of the drain to raise it. Thinking it would help the water flow the correct way. It didn't work. I am curious about the compression fitting you had suggested in an earlier answer. However, the picture was not available. Could you please resubmit or email me the picture, directions on how to properly adjust my line. Any help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hi Kelhnvr and Welcome to The Plumbing Page. At AskMeHelpDesk.com. A few questions and off we go. Hoe old is the building? Has there been any backups of any sort in the past? How many units in the building? You have two washer hookups for one unit? That's odd! Are the basement hookups in use or just setting there not being used? Have you had the line snaked in the basement to remove a possible partial blockage?

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I have taken a rope and drilled a hole into the wood beam above the end of the drain to raise it. Thinking it would help the water flow the correct way

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Are you saying you gave the drain back pitch in hopes the water would not drain into the two washer hookups? I'm concerned that you have a partial blockage downstream from the basement washers. But if you have a older building with undersized drainage my solution would be different. Not to worry! Your problem's fixable. I just have to know what I'm working with first. Back to you, Tom

Sounds like he has a new washer on the second floor that is piped from the first floor washing machine drain and when the 2nd floor uses the washing machine it backs up and out the first floor and maybe even the second floor drain(s). He wants to know if the compression fitting to close off the drain pipe will work here.

Obviously the drain line is partially or completely clogged PAST the first floor drain and the drain line needs to be snaked to resolve the issue. You can try the compression fitting Tom talked about in an earlier post... see images (either one will work)... but I doubt it will help much in this case. The compression fitting is an 1.5" x 1.25" trap adapter (I have posted an image of an 1.5" trap adapter) and the black clamp is a fernco 1.5" trap adapter) and the black clamp is a fernco 1.5" fernco clamp.

I am curious as to how the first floor washer is vented and if the second floor washer drain is vented... let us know OK?

Finally, if I had a washing machine on the second floor (or even on the first floor) I would definitely consider installing floodstop automatic shutoffs and a washing machine pan... can prevent catastrophe from happening when you least expect it! Glad to discuss more if you want.

Please answer Tom's questions so he can present his ideas here, OK?

Good luck!

Mark

Hey Mark, Top advice for Kelhnvr. Once I get my answers I'll have a solution for him. But I have to know more about those basement washers. Regards, Tom

Also, tell us what size and material is this washer drain... Milo

Kelhnvr,
Please respond to the questions and receive your solution. I have to know if the basement washer setups are in use or not. Tom

Both washers will be used. The 1st floor washer has been in use for a number of years with no problem. The home is over 100 yrs old with 2 units. The basement has a shared laundry area, so both tenants will have their washer dryers hooked up in the basement. The drains are each 1.5" and i dont know what you mean by "vented". Sorry I don't know all the terminology. However, I have taken a few photos that I will add for you to view in hopes that it helps.
I have also thought that a clog may be the culprit so I tried to open the nearest drain and ran into a problem. I have also added a photo of this. The threaded area you see did not come loose, the round area directly under it started spinning and began to back out. But not the whole way out and now it will not screw back in even as I put my weight on it. If only id of known how much of a headache a washing machine could be. How do I get the bolt out to snake this drain. Do I need to cut it. I have tried to heat it already but no luck with it. Thanks again guys

Those pictures just generate more questions. The way you tell it you have two tenets with three washers. One up and two down so all three stations are in use. Correct. Before we go any farther, both Mark and I agree that you have a partial blockage that must be dealt with. Your cleanout is a galvanized plug screwed into a galvanized female adapter which is in a cast iron hub with a lead and okum caulked joint. This will take two pipe wrenches. One to turn the plug and the other to hold the fitting from turning. Load the threads up with WD-40 and put some muscle into it. Clear that line first and then we'll began to make your washer stations a closed system. Are those chrome 1 1/2" "P" traps and raisers. You do realize that you will have to install washer hose check valves, (see image)in the two basement washers to keep the 2nd. Floor washer from backing up in the basement washers. This would be so simple if it wasn't for that 2nd. Floor washer. But clear the line first before we go on. Good luck, Tom

Tom, as I stated, there is only 2 units. and both units are in the laundry facility in the basement. I have 2 tenants and Both have laundry hookups in the basement. No washing machines are anywere else in this unit.
I will open the clean out asap. And get back to you.. thanks again

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tom, as I stated, there is only 2 units. and both units are in the laundry facility in the basement.

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That's not what you said in your first post

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this is the first tenant to use the 2nd floor hookup since I've owned the unit.

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Now I'm confused! I thought the problem was when the second washer drained it backed up in the basement washers.

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When the new (brand new) washer drains, it overflows back to the 1st floors drain and water comes out of both drain pipes.]

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Let's start over. If there's no second floor washer station then this will be a easy fix. Please rephrase
Your complaint. Back to you, Tom

Ahhh... now I get it! Kelhvnr said, "In the basement is a hookup for both apts." Here, as occurs on occasion in an online chat environment, we are getting hung up on terminology!

Clearly, the washer drains are as shown in the pictures and they are, as stated,"The drain runs parallel to the wall and there is about 8 to 10 ft. between the two washer drains on the line."

As we suggested, Tom they just need to remove that cleanout and snake the drain. We can discuss VENTING after they clean the drain line.

For best results once you get the plug out, snake the drain and then use hot water to flush the drain as you send the snake back and forth a few times... ;)

Good luck!

Mark

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Kelhvnr said, "In the basement is a hookup for both apts.

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He also said,

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This is the first tenant to use the 2nd floor hookup since I've owned the unit.

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along with

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When the new (brand new) washer drains, it overflows back to the 1st floors drain and water comes out of both drain pipes.

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This clearly indicates a 2nd. Floor washer hookup. And now he didn't mean what he posted? I thought his complaint was when the 2nd. Floor washer drained it backed up out of the basement washers. Now I'm not sure what his complaint is. Is it that one basement washer backs up in the other? Who knows? Tom

The key word it turns out is 2nd floor HOOKUP, Tom... ;)

I'm guessing he is all set from here!

That's what I thought the key word was. What did you take it to mean? I don't know Mark, Now I'm not even sure just what his original complaint was. I never did give him a solution. Regards, Tom