[Aldeberan5]

OK guys - I've got a doosey. Lets be clear here... my husband doesn't know that I'm writing this. :p But before I go spending $5000 I want another opinion.
Here goes: We live in a 2-story old home (think depression era). We have a washer and dryer in the basement, and added (we had a professional add) a washer and dryer to the upstairs about 10 years ago. During a recent remodel of the basement laundry room, my husband noticed that when the upstairs washer drains, the floor drain backs up. It's not enough to flood the floor, but it does get wet around about 1/2in. Ring around the drain.
Note: both washers empty into the same wall drain (sorry, I'm not too good with the plumbing lingo). Or plumber said that it was 2in. Emptying into 1 1/2 in which seems to be a problem because of how efficiently the new washers drain.
Our plumber told us the only option was to open the floor and re-do the drain system to the tune of $5000.
Our floor drain is pretty gunked up. Would cleaning it out help solve this issue? How do I do this? AND Is there another option? HHEELLPPP!!

[mygirlsdad77]

Most floor drains are two inch, the washer drain may be two inch above the floor, but I'm betting it turns to two where it hooks into floor drain pipe. I would try augering the drain from floor drain, go in far enough to reach a larger pipe, and use the largest cable you can get in through the floor drain. This is definitely worth a try. Good luck. Lee.

[ballengerb1]

MGD, floor drains in my area are 3". I wonder how much variance there is from state to state.

[speedball1]

Our plumber told us the only option was to open the floor and re-do the drain system to the tune of $5000.
Our floor drain is pretty gunked up. Would cleaning it out help solve this issue? How do I do this? AND Is there another option? HHEELLPPP!!

Damm straight you got options! First off, get you a plumber that doesn't vacation in Club Med or Aruba and then snake that floor drain,(see image)Now install Flood Guards in the floor drain, (see image). Check them out at; Flood guards for floor drains - check valve to prevent flooding from FAMOUS PLUMBING SUPPLY. See if that doesn't solve your problem. Good luck, Tom PS. I'll take my five grand in small bills, (hundreds will do just dandy}.

[Aldeberan5]

Tom - I LOVE this site! Quick question, if I install the Floor Guards, is there a possibility that the drain in the wall (the one that's open on the top) will overflow? Thanks for your help!