Do I need a plumber?

Question

I was hoping to fix this issue myself but I don't know where to start. Pictured is my basement drain overflowing with water - it only happens when the washer machine is draining into the sink. I have no problem when I run the water in the sink by itself. I've owned my place and washer (new) for about a year and a half without an issue. I have no idea what the solution is. Any help would be appreciated.

Steve Vaughan · Answer

Every homeowner should at  least have an $8 15ft hand snake and a $3 zip-it.  Try those, then call a plumber if you can't clear it.

Victor N. · Answer

@Matt Rasich When washing machines drain, they discharge a lot of water at high speed all at once and since you have no problem when you run the water yourself directly into the sink, then your problem might be poor venting which does not allow the water from the washing machine to drain faster.

Also, it looks like the drain lines under the sink are 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 ( probably 1 1/2 but I cant tell for sure) which is small for a washing machine .

They sell under sink mount vents at the big box store which might help with drainage speed but I would recommend you talk to a licensed plumber to take care of it the right way.

Don Meinke · Answer

IF you can clean it and it improves,,,good deal.  LONG term solution is as mentioned,,,crack the floor in a controlled manner with a saw track first, go back as far as the main line.  Replace it with 2" at least and put in a seperate washer drain from sink drain.  Also install a new style plastic floor drain in bigger size.(Thats easy to clean).  You have build up on your horizontal run as well as where it drops into the main.  Cast or iron just seems to grow shut.  Plastic on the correct slope doesnt seem to do that.

When your back filling the excavated dirt block up the length of the pipe with concrete rubble or bricks etc to make sure it doesnt settle in a bow and the dirt settles.  In this line dont dig UNDER the pipe any more than you HAVE to.  If your connection to the main is too small use a plastic saddle made for this use!!  Smear some sack crete over and your done.

Its not as big of job as you are imagining and the improvement is worth the effort.

Scott Weaner · Answer

I would probably try to fix it myself. Then, when I fail like I inevitably do with these problems, I call my plumber!

Jacob Pereira · Answer

Depends. What's your time worth to you? Like most people have said, a motorized drain snake can most likely take care of it, but also maybe not. A rental from Home Depot is probably less than $50, but you'll also have to drive out there and back, and then a second time to return it. Provided that's the problem, you'll be all in for a few hours and about $50 in gas and rental fees.

It also might be something else, in which case you'll still have spent the time and money, and have eliminated one possibility, but still not have a solution. Then you can either spend more time on diagnosis, or just hire the plumber. That's time that could be spent analyzing deals, spending quality time with your family, or snorting blow in the Applebee's bathroom.

Personally, I'd try to fix it myself, but mostly for the experience and education (and I enjoy that kind of stuff), not because it's necessarily the best financial choice.

Tanya F. · Answer

Is there a lint trap filtering the water that's coming out of your washer?

If not, it's almost certainly a partial clog in the drain line. It's probably either in the trap or at the junction where the pipe downstream from the trap joins to a bigger pipe. Also check the vent, as others have suggested.

We had a plumber come and redo the drain line between the laundry tub and the big cast iron drain pipe. There was a lot of lint in there.  Probably could have done it ourselves if it were to happen now, but this was years ago.

Matthew Paul · Answer

Check the vent

Victor N. · Answer

Also, I forgot to add that your floor drain line might be a little bit clogged. A roto rooter can take care of cleaning it for you!

Do I need a plumber?

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