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akizzo04 · Dec 7, 2008, 12:36 PM

Here lately, there has been water overflowing out of the drain for the laundry washer. I did a test run with a small load and the soap seems to be coming out of the drain that is in the wall. I thought there might be a clog, but I ran a water hose and ran water in the drain for about 15 minutes and no back flow was noticed. I did not use but a 1/4 of a cup of dry detergent. How can I fix this problem? I am so tired of cleaning up water after doing a load of laundry. Please help.

Thanks

massplumber2008 · Dec 7, 2008, 01:46 PM

Hey Akizzo 04...

Previously... you did not have issues with this drain.. right? You did not just install a new washing machine did you?

I have seen this where a garden hose runs full bore for 20 minutes and there is no back up... then I use the machine and BAM! Water backflows out the drain.

Finally figured out that garden hoses do not discharge water at even half the volume that a washing machine discharge hose does.

Most likely a small clog has developed downstream of the trap and the drain line needs to be snaked. You can rent an electric snake machine at any tool rental store and you will also need to purchase safety goggles and a pair of leather gloves if planning on clearing the drain line yourself.

You can snake this from the washing machine vent at the roof if you have a roof with very little pitch, OR, you could try to snake the drain through a cleanout at the washing machine p-trap or in the basement, OR you could install a cleanout in the drain line and snake the drain from that point.

Let me know what you think...

MARK

akizzo04 · Dec 7, 2008, 05:04 PM

massplumber2008,

Thanks for your quick reply. It is the same washing machine that we first put in. it has given me this problem only once before, but I thought it was my fault for using too much soap. You stated I could possibly snake it from the roof or p-trap. Where would these be located and what would they look like? First home and I am learning on the fly. Again, thanks for your help!

Thanks

massplumber2008 · Dec 7, 2008, 05:11 PM

The roof may or may not have a VENT PIPE sticking out in the laundry area of the house. If so, you may be able to snake the drain from up on the roof. Here, send the snake down the drain past washing machine and then a minimum of 15-20 feet more snake after that. You may need to go further depending on how long your house is. You would snake the drian with a small head first and then go back in with a larger head, but not too large as it could bind in the drain and cause even more issues for you.

The ptrap is located right at the washing machine... see picture. It may or may not be exposed. If exposed it should have a small cleanout on the bottom of the trap... you could try to snake the drain from here, but I don't advise it as the cleanout will be so small that you probably can't get a good size snake head into the drain.

Best bet if you can't get to the roof vent is to cut a cleanout into the vent in the attic or to cut a cleanout into the drain pipe just below the ptrap of washing machine or at the washer drain pipe in the basement. The idea is to install a full size cleanout so you can get a decent size snake head down drain to clear of any blockage.

Let me know what you want to do... ;)

MARK