[Michael Phelan]

The drain for my Water Softener, Washer, and basement sink sits behind my washer. It is a 2 inch PVC pipe that comes out of the wall, has a visible trap, and stands vertically about 2 feet. The washer drains into the top and the Softener and sink water enter the pipe through a PVC that joins the standing pipe 1.5 feet below the top.

My problem is that this pipe is draining slow and I can't figure out where the issue is. I have sent my drain snake into the pipe completely, all eight feet, and felt no resistance to issue. When I put water into the pipe, however, it fills to the top before I've poured out even 1/2 a gallon. I just can't figure out how the pipe can seem to be open but run so slowly.

Any suggestions would be wonderful. Thanks in advance! :confused:

[speedball1]

Hi Michael,

Your pipe is not open and a piddly 8' snake ain't going to open it.
You have a partial in the branch line beyond where your snake can reach.
You can try with a longer cable to go down the washer stand pipe but a better shot would be to go rent a sewer machine, go up on the roof and come down the vent stack that vents the washer. Put out enough cable after you hit the bend at the base of the stack to get out into the house main. After you snake out the drain, cycle the washer to flush out the line.
Good luck and Happy New Year, Tom

[tommytman]

I had a similar problem. Got Roto Rooter to run a sewer machine threw it. No more problems... ( ps. I also was able to run 15 feet of a snake in the drain pipe before the roto rooter guy came but it didn't help).