On Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:46:19 -0700, Nate
wrote:

Hello,

My washer backs-up into my kitchen sink when it drains. What could the
problem be, or is it just an old house?

Hey, the White House is almost 200 years old. Do you think their sink
backs up? Buckingham Palace is a lot older than that.

The sink fills about half-way, but never overflows. The sink drains a
minute or so later and there is a residue with small black chips of
grime and a few minutes of local unpleasent odor. My house was built
in '69. I am nervouse because my neighbor told me the pipe exiting his
house to the back alley had partially collapsed last year and he had
to drill into the cement to fix it. He said the pipe installed by the
builders was not meant to last beyond 30 years or so.

Clogs are a lot more common than collapses. Do you share your drain
with any other apartments, even one in your own home? How long has
this been happening. Do you have lint from your washer entering the
drain? What else might have gone down the drain that shouldn't.
Grease?

Thank You For Your Time,

Nathan