[Albertaguy]

Is it possible that suds or drainage water from another condo unit could backflow into our washing machine? The condo has had plumbing issues since the builder used too small of pipes and the use of too much laundry detergent from the owners causes the sinks to overflow with detergent suds. They have snaked the lines and this problem has not happen for awhile and until recently. We have been noticing suds and waste not known to us on cloths after washing. Is it possible that this could be the result of some other person's water flowing into our machine?

Many thanks for your help.

[ballengerb1]

Totally possible especially if the pipes were undersized. Are you sure of this since I'm sure there must have been an inspection. Call the building department and verify this info. If the pipe was less than 2" your machine and your neighbors machine can cause overflows abd back ups.

[Albertaguy]

Totally possible especially if the pipes were undersized. Are you sure of this since I'm sure there must have been an inspection. Call the building department and verify this info. If the pipe was less than 2" your machine and your neighbors machine can cause overflows abd back ups.

Thanks very much. I had plumbers tell me it is unlikely that a washer would allow backup into a machine, as they have a filter or some mechanism that would prevent this unless there was a lot of pressure coming into the machine to overide the backflow mechanism (valve of some kind). I do believe they put in two pipes rather than a large pipe, and like you I assumed their would be an inspection given it is a 3 year old building.

I appreciate your comments. Many thanks.