For some time we've thought we had a leak in our washing machine. No one could figure out what was causing it. Finally it seems that the draining of the machine leads to water and what looks like dirt coming up from the ground somewhere. There is linoleum on the floor and the water is coming up through the cracks along the wall and between the sheets of vinyl.

Nothing else is causing this problem and the main drain was cleared recently. Could it be a broken drain pipe underground? The showers, bathtubs and toilets are working fine but they may connect to the main drain at a later point on the way to the city sewer system. There are no backups into the slop sink near the washer or the kitchen sink, both drain into the same pipe as the washer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

It sure sounds like you have a pipe that's broken under the slab causing water to back up out of it. The problem that you're now faced with is the location of the break. Let me explain. Water, like electricity, will always seek the path of least resistance. What this means is that you may have water coming up in one spot and the leak itself may be a number of feet away. About the only thing you can do is open up the slab and go looking for it. Good luck, Tom

Thanks Tom. Actually I called a drain company that has helped me before. He discovered that the water from the washer and laundry sink wasn't getting to the main drain leading to the street and assumed a clog. He snaked the line, got water going to the main drain, and I was able to run 5 loads without any water coming up through the floor! There is obviously a broken pipe but we're hoping that without the clog, the water will flow to the street instead of coming up through the break in the pipe. Question is... is this just a matter of time before I have the same problem? Should I repair the pipe and go through the expense of ripping up the concrete floor, or wait and see? Appreciate your thoughts.