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Wash machine drain backing up
Posted on 9/19/22 at 1:41 pm
Posted on 9/19/22 at 1:41 pm
My wash machine drain line will back up when I run a smaller load where the clothes don't saturate most of the water in the tub. Larger loads don't tend to overflow it. I've checked the p-trap and it's clear. I have a cleanout right above the drain inside the house but as usual, it's old cast iron and the cap won't come off without inevitably breaking it. I know newer machines have very strong pumps and the drain pipe rises to about 4ft but it still will back out. I'm guessing i have years of crap obstructing the line but before i get a plumber, has anyone else dealt with this and has some insight on what they found?
ETA: i'm finding this is more of a common problem as i read and watch youtube videos. Some people have attached/retrofitted anywhere from 2-4in PVC above the p-trap to let the water have somewhere to sit until it drains. It's an option but i still wonder if i have a clog because this wasn't always happening.
ETA: i'm finding this is more of a common problem as i read and watch youtube videos. Some people have attached/retrofitted anywhere from 2-4in PVC above the p-trap to let the water have somewhere to sit until it drains. It's an option but i still wonder if i have a clog because this wasn't always happening.
This post was edited on 9/19/22 at 2:03 pm
3
Posted on 9/19/22 at 1:56 pm to cberni1
When the drain pipe fills up, does it then drain off quickly or drains off very slowly? Having the same issue, but mine drains off very rapidly after filling up. I think my issue is high flow on drain pump—I have a Bosch front loader. Plus, I snaked everything and got no obstructions. About to partially obstruct drain hose to slow it down. They claim that won’t hurt the pump.
Posted on 9/19/22 at 2:02 pm to SurfOrYak
Same situation as you. It overflows very quickly which to me points more toward the pump shoving more water than the drain line can handle at one time more so than an obstruction. I agree that i think the pump could likely be the cause of this. I'm worried about putting an obstruction in the pipe to stop overlfowing as i think like you that it could break the pump.
Posted on 9/19/22 at 2:40 pm to cberni1
quote:
it's old cast iron
My house was built in 1974. I had the same problem and had to replace my rusted out 2" cast iron washing machine and kitchen sink drain lines. Busting up the slab was a mess. I would try one of those jetters from amazon you attach to a pressure washer first.
For several years before I replaced the cast iron pipes. I used a fernco reducer and hose clamps to prevent the stand pipe from overflowing. The washing machine pipe backup was forced into the kitchen sink.
I hope your cast iron pipes aren't toast
Posted on 9/19/22 at 3:33 pm to weadjust
quote:this is my next plan to see if it stops this.
I used a fernco reducer and hose clamps to prevent the stand pipe from overflowing
quote:Thankfully, this hasn't occurred but i don't have a dishwasher so i hand wash and when i'm running hte water in the sink, the drain will back up if i'm running a load of clothes at the same time because it doesn't have anywhere to go. I'm sure i have some blockages along with small stand pipe.
he washing machine pipe backup was forced into the kitchen sink.
We'll see how this 3in-1.5in reducer set up works.
Posted on 9/19/22 at 4:02 pm to cberni1
If you go the fernco option. Once you prevent the stand pipe from overflowing the water has to go somewhere. Based on your description your blockage is down stream from the washer and kitchen sink. So you will probably get a few inches of water backing up in the kitchen sink when the washer drains. Keep an eye on your p trap and plumbing under the sink the first few times it happens.
I bought this pressure washer pipe jetter attachment from amazon that worked pretty good on 2' cast iron pipes. Cleans out the whole pipe instead of punching a hole like a drain snake.
Amazon
I bought this pressure washer pipe jetter attachment from amazon that worked pretty good on 2' cast iron pipes. Cleans out the whole pipe instead of punching a hole like a drain snake.
Amazon
Posted on 9/19/22 at 7:13 pm to cberni1
Call Rotorooter. Have them clean out the vent drain on the roof.
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