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kenick49 · Mar 26, 2012, 11:57 AM

I live in a 3 story townhouse apartment. The basement is finished and we use it as both a laundry room and a bedroom. The rooms are simply separated by furniture.
The issue is that the floor drain overflows EVERY wash. It has been this way the entire 18 months that we have lived here. We have bought a snake and tried it many times. It worked for just the next load of laundry, with only less water overflowing than before. We have tried several different brands of drain cleaner, including high priced, smelly sulfur ones, etc. Nothing seems to work. I have no clue where the vent for the drain is. The apartment is a brick building and I can't seem to find where the vent could be. We asked the landlord for help when we first found the problem only a week or so after moving in. He suggested we get a snake, that is all. We most definitely cannot afford to have a plumber take a look at it, especially if it never seems they do the job right.
The water overflow has caused several problems. It has gone into the bedroom area and caused carpeting and furniture to get wet and soggy and gross! Also, in the laundry room, the water has soaked dry clothes and other things about the room. Another worry is that the water goes under the electric dryer, which could cause electric shock or even a fire!
Any help is much appreciated!!

speedball1 · Mar 26, 2012, 12:26 PM

Originally Posted by ;

We have tried several different brands of drain cleaner, including high priced, smelly sulfur ones, etc. Nothing seems to work

I am no fan of putting harsh chemicals in your drainage, Besides , they only seem to work in TV commercials.
But worry no more! I have the answer to your floor drain backups, They're called Flood Guards for floor drains,(see image) They stop a backup before it gets on your floor check them out at, PlumbingSupply.com - Flood Guards For Floor Drains - check valves to prevent flooding Good luck, Tom

massplumber2008 · Mar 26, 2012, 12:31 PM

You can certainly try the floodguard, but I'm thinking that will only cause the water to flow up and out of the washing machine drain, so you really need to get the drain snaked properly AND IT IS THE HOMEOWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY... NOT YOURS! Not that you want to threaten your landlord, but if you remind him that damage is occurring and will most likely result in mold/mildew issues if this isn't dealt with sooner than later he'll probably step up and get this fixed.

I'd have the owner look for the washing machine drain VENT and snake down this vent to 10 feet or so past the floor drain to clear the blockage.

Good day!

Mark

speedball1 · Mar 26, 2012, 12:46 PM

You can certainly try the floodguard, but I'm thinking that will only cause the water to flow up and out of the washing machine drain,

Hey Mark,
You're talking about overflowing a 3 foot raiser on a partial clog. Note that it only backs p when the washer discharges. Who knows? The extra omph and force of the washer discharge might even jet the clog away. Regards, Tom

massplumber2008 · Mar 26, 2012, 01:31 PM

If his drains are anything like the drain pipes in my area, a partial clog will most certainly be a complete clog soon enough! The landlord should deal with this and be done with it! As I said, the floodguard is a cheap fix... may resolve the issue, for sure.

If not, snake the drain via the washing machine vent to be finished with this once and for all!

Thanks, Tom!

speedball1 · Mar 26, 2012, 01:40 PM

I totally agree. The best way would be to locate and remove the clog. I gave him the easiest way out. Regards, Tom

kenick49 · Mar 26, 2012, 01:55 PM

Thank you for all of your suggestions. Might I add that the washing machine drain flows very clearly into the floor drain. Our current solution to keeping the water away from our belongings... we simply stop the washer and plunge the drain, that takes A lot of work and takes a bit of time. Then we continue with the wash(plunging at the next drain cycle as well). Anyone know where the vent may be? Ive seen on other sites that its usually on the roof. IS that true?

speedball1 · Mar 26, 2012, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by ;

Anyone know where the vent may be? Ive seen on other sites that its usually on the roof. IS that true?

Partly! I'll put up a washer hookup.( see image) the pipe on the right is the vent. It can,
1. Run straight out the roof.
2. Revent back into a existing dry vent **OR**
3. If AAV's (Air Admittance vent) are allowed you can terminate with a mechanical vent.

ballengerb1 · Mar 26, 2012, 04:20 PM

Why isn't your landlord handling this? Several have pointed out that plumbing backups are not the responsibility of the tenant. You aren't a plumber so we are glad you came here for advice and the advice has been great if you owned this place, but you don't, right?

kenick49 · Mar 26, 2012, 04:29 PM

Thank you all for the help. We had a lack of help with the landlord, but after this much hassle I believe we will be making sure he finds a solution.