[douglasmooney]

When washing m/c empties water comes up from sink drain.
40mm trap fitted.
Sink drains OK when filled.(without m/c)
I think that trap is too close to sink.(about 50mm)
Will separate m/c waste upstand be required?

[massplumber2008]

First tell us if this is a new issue or an old issue? New plumbing or old plumbing... what has changed? If anything?

[speedball1]

The 40 mm trap (1 1/2") is "fitted" to what? The washer or the sink? Is this the washer trap that's too close to the sink" This would be 50mm, ( 2") too close to what?

Will separate m/c waste upstand be required?

Please explain, "upstand". Are you referring to a stand pipe? And if it's not separate then what is it? Details! We need more details! Cheers, Tom

[douglasmooney]

The 40 mm trap (1 1/2") is "fitted" to what? The washer or the sink? Is this the washer trap that's too close to the sink" This would be 50mm, ( 2") too close to what?
Please explain, "upstand". Are you referring to a stand pipe? And if it's not separate then what is it? Details!! We need more details!! Cheers, Tom

I believe this to be old issue i.e. nothing changed.
Washing m/c "T" about 50mm from sink washer.
Was referring to standpipe connected independently to waste.
Thanks.

[massplumber2008]

Hmmm.. must be an 1.5 inch drain pipe... yes? I think it is not abnormal for water to back up into sink drain if only 1.5 inch pipe picks up both sink and "washing m/c".

One way to improve this would be to increase drain line to 2" pipe. You can try to move the pipe farther away... but will not make much of a difference. If you are going to mess with any of the pipes... can you increase pipe size..

Otherwise drain line may be clogged slightly... but lets work on my questions first..

Get back to us.

[douglasmooney]

Correct, it is 1.5 inch drain pipe but unable to increase to 2 inch as it is boxed in.
Very limited access.
Have snaked pipe to 2 metres and water runs freely from sink.
Unfortunately no overflow from stainless steel sink so water spills over sink when washing m/c empties.
House occupied by 80 year old blind man who has already injured legs slipping on wet floor.
Thanks for help

[massplumber2008]

Water running into drain from sink not the issue... not enough volume to be an issue.

OK... hate to keep asking YOU questions, but... are you saying that water overflowed the sink itself OR the standpipe.. Also, how tall is that standpipe?

Sounds like drain needs to be snaked with a power snake at this point. Have you cleared the trap out by removing plug at trap? Is this PVC pipe... ABS.. Or galvanized pipe?? Let me know.

[massplumber2008]

So this is not something that has been overflowing sink until now... yes?

I think you need to get a powewrsnake and snake that drain line... I am assuming galvaized pipe into cast iron pipe underground... so hoping there is a cleanout at about 1 foot off floor... or maybe there is access to drain via a vent.. or may have to cut one in.

I know that is not what you wanted to hear... sorry. Let us know what you find.

[cbrowand]

Water is coming up the drain into my laundry tubs and nothing is turned on and the washing machine is not in use the water is dirty grey

[massplumber2008]

Cbrowand... We need more info. Are you on septic or city sewer? Single family home... two family home? AND is water turned on anywhere in home when water is coming up out of laundry tubs? Answer this ans we will get back to you.

[massplumber2008]

OK... cbrowand.. got your PM. Sounds like you have a clogged drain pipe there... probably goes down into concrete floor..

Need to find a cleanout somewhere before/after the sink drain OR need to try to snake from the ptrap of sink... or better yet cut in a dandy cleanout at the vent above the sink and snake down through that... lots of ideas to try... but if you are finding food particles in your laundry tub definetely clogged pipe.

What kind of drain pipe... galvanized? PVC? ABS? Copper?. let me know. Can you find any cleanouts? Can you access the vent from the laundry tub?

Get back to me... let me know what you find.

[cbrowand]

Exactly where do I snake -- the kitchen sink pipe or the laundry tub pipe. And what pipe do I snake. The laundry tub does set on a cement basement floor. Also where do you think the clog could be. Thanks You are a big help. Is this the job for a homeowner or is it for a plumber. Being a holiday weekend prices are terrible for a plumber.Again thanks

[massplumber2008]

Hey... well I think the blockage is past the laundry tub so want to find a cleanout that will allow you to snake close to that. There is usually a cleanout just as a drain pipe enters into a concrete floor.. so chase the drain from laundry tub over to the pipe it attaches to.. look from there. Also, may find cleanout under the laundry tub.

Do you own a snake... and still did not tell me if this is PVC pipe/copper/galvanized?? How old is home... answer those questions and I can help you better.

[cbrowand]

Thanks for quick response. I am not sure about the pipe type. I know it is not copper. The house was built in 1958. L I do have a snake. Some pipe connections are hard to take apart as they are so old and they are rusted together and I do not want to break. Thanks again for your helpful information.

[massplumber2008]

Hmmm cbrowand... Sounds like a silver colored galanized pipe... and/or cast iron pipes... hard to work on.

If you have sawzall... I mean you had a snake.. ;) So you got to have a sawzall... yes? If you do you could cut a cleanout in almost anywhere after laundry tub connects into drain line... only takes a sawzall, 2 rubber mission type clamps (or husky clamps) and same size pipe.

If not prepared to do that.. then may be time to call in a plumber. He can cut in cleanout (or even access pipes another way), clear line this time, and you can clear... NEXT TIME!. Goodness forbid.

One last thought... wondering if there was a cleanout under your kitchen sink... if your snake is long may actually be able to access clog that way... remember snake can go up the kitchen sink vent as often as it goes down the kitchen sink drain.

ANyway... keep us posted.

[douglasmooney]

So this is not something that has been overflowing sink until now...yes?

I think you need to get a powewrsnake and snake that drain line...I am assuming galvaized pipe into cast iron pipe underground...so hoping there is a cleanout at about 1 foot off floor...or maybe there is access to drain via a vent ..or may have to cut one in.

I know that is not what you wanted to hear...sorry. Let us know what you find.

Power snake solved problem. Thanks for advice.:)

[massplumber2008]

Glad to help Douglas. Take care.

If I helped please RATE THIS ANSWER.. thank you