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    normrefct's Avatar
    normrefct Posts: 30, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Feb 21, 2006, 10:23 AM
    Laundry Sink Drains Slowly
    Hi. Great Forum with great answers!

    Our laundry sink is in the basement and has a 1 1/2" pvc pipe set up to drain the washer to the point where it is under the laundry sink.

    The laundry sink also drains out into the "V" pipe and fills up as the washer drains its water out.

    Problem: Sink is not draining fast enough to keep up with washer draining out thus overflowing onto basement floor.

    The pvc pipes leading to the wall are not clogged, but the basement drain leads out through the garage into the main draining pipe for the house.

    Could the water in that pipe have frozen? Is that pipe clogged or is there an air venting problem? Thank you.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #2

    Feb 21, 2006, 11:01 AM
    The repair for this problem's a simple one. Snake out the utility sink/washer line from the sink/washers roof vent. A washer discharge has lint, fiber and grease from the soap to build up inside the drain pipes and must be cleaned out every once in a while to keep it clear. Good luck. Tom
    normrefct's Avatar
    normrefct Posts: 30, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #3

    Feb 21, 2006, 12:57 PM
    Thanks Tom. I've never snaked before. Can you explain what the proper snake to purchase is and how to do it. Thanks again very much for your response. You are very helpful.

    Norm
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #4

    Feb 21, 2006, 03:29 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by normrefct
    Thanks Tom. I've never snaked before. Can you explain what the proper snake to purchase is and how to do it. Thanks again very much for your response. You are very helpful.

    Norm
    You'll have to have a larger machine then they sell in the hardware stores.
    Rent a Ridgid-K50 sewer machine or equivalent . Locate the vent that vents the washer,(Tip: This might be the kitchen sink vent) It will be on the roof above the washer. Ask for instructions on how to run the sewer machine when you rent it. You should now know how to take the lengths of cable and couple them together. Depending on the height or the roof to the base of the vent couple enough cable to feed through the machine down the vent to the base. Start the machine and put it in gear, Each time you let back on the lever and disengage the clutch you may shove another foot or so of the cable forward. Put out about 20 foot and pull it back out. Cycle the washer to test for drainage. If it still backs up go back and this time put out 25 feet.
    More questions? I'm as close as a click. Tom
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