Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

Just moved in to a newly renovated house. All sorts of surprises!

The house has sat a few months before we moved in....

We did a load of wash last night and after it was done, we came in to
find some debris and wet spots around a floor drain that was near the
washer.

I then went ahead and partially filled the laundry tub (which the washer
drains in to) and then let out the plug....you could slowly see the
water come up the floor drain and out on to the floor.
Again, some more debris came with it.

I'm assuming we've got a clog in there. Is there something a DIY'er can
do? or do I have to pay the $'s for a plumber?
Hopefully we don't have roots in there, but I don't have enough
experience to say.

Thanks!
sb

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

Steve Brady wrote:

Just moved in to a newly renovated house. All sorts of surprises!

The house has sat a few months before we moved in....

We did a load of wash last night and after it was done, we came in to
find some debris and wet spots around a floor drain that was near the
washer.

I then went ahead and partially filled the laundry tub (which the washer
drains in to) and then let out the plug....you could slowly see the
water come up the floor drain and out on to the floor.
Again, some more debris came with it.

I'm assuming we've got a clog in there. Is there something a DIY'er can
do? or do I have to pay the $'s for a plumber?
Hopefully we don't have roots in there, but I don't have enough
experience to say.

Thanks!
sb

The floor drain will (should) have a P-trap connected directly
to it (buried). The trap may be clogged with lint, etc.
If there is a cover on the drain, get that off and see
if a hand snake will go thru (or coat hanger hook).

Beyond that, an electric drain cleaning snake will be needed.
You can rent them or hire out.

Jim

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

Try something simple first. Connect a hose to the faucet, wrap a rag around
the end and shove into the floor drain. Turn on and hopefully blast problem
away. Also you could fill tub and drain at the same time.

"Steve Brady" wrote in message
.. .
Just moved in to a newly renovated house. All sorts of surprises!

The house has sat a few months before we moved in....

We did a load of wash last night and after it was done, we came in to find
some debris and wet spots around a floor drain that was near the washer.

I then went ahead and partially filled the laundry tub (which the washer
drains in to) and then let out the plug....you could slowly see the water
come up the floor drain and out on to the floor.
Again, some more debris came with it.

I'm assuming we've got a clog in there. Is there something a DIY'er can
do? or do I have to pay the $'s for a plumber?
Hopefully we don't have roots in there, but I don't have enough experience
to say.

Thanks!
sb

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

On Fri, 05 May 2006 10:48:01 -0400, Steve Brady
wrote:

Just moved in to a newly renovated house. All sorts of surprises!

The house has sat a few months before we moved in....

We did a load of wash last night and after it was done, we came in to
find some debris and wet spots around a floor drain that was near the
washer.

I then went ahead and partially filled the laundry tub (which the washer
drains in to) and then let out the plug....you could slowly see the
water come up the floor drain and out on to the floor.
Again, some more debris came with it.

I'm assuming we've got a clog in there. Is there something a DIY'er can
do? or do I have to pay the $'s for a plumber?
Hopefully we don't have roots in there, but I don't have enough
experience to say.

Thanks!
sb


imho, you are correct, there might be a restriction causing a slow
drain rate and water taking the path of least restriction.

I would have a simple check up from a plumber. Also, when you said it
was remodeled, were there any open permits? Or any permits used?

Just asking,

tom @ www.FreelancingProjects.com

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

a home sitting vacant can have the line sludge up. its best to get it
snaked, so you know if there are any big troubles... like tree roots

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

you can play with plungers and snakes and drano, but let the sewer guys
know what you've done.
since it's a new home, why not have the sewer cleaning company snake
out all mains including any outdoor downspouts and your basement
problem. listen to his report on your main sewer line. an experienced
plumber can give you the confidence you need to call him back in the
future when he shows up on the scheduled day and gives you a report of
the results. be home with your directions and questions.

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

Well, I borrowed one of those handheld snakes and it was too small and
too short to do anything (only 10ft long).

So I went and rented an electric snake....cool thing.
Although I could only use 40ft of it's 50ft length (was kinked), I was
able to relieve some of the jam in the laundry room drain.

I then ran the washing machine (on it's high water level) and I filled
the laundry tub too. I set both to drain at the same time and I watched
the water level in the floor drain.

The water was about 14inches down but didn't move when I had both the
tub and washer draining in to it.
I also took a bucket of water and dumped it directly in to the drain and
the level stayed the same!

So, I'm looking at all this as a good thing. BUT, should I be looking
at a backflow plug/valve?
The house isn't new, but is new to us (it's actually 30yrs old) and the
house inspector said all our downspouts go in to underground drains that
go to the street. I was up on the roof yesterday and cleaned the eaves
and they were full....
Do the downspout drains attach to the basement drain in the house? I'd
hope not, as I'm sure enough crud has gone down the eaves that it could
block up again.

Anyhow, we can at least do the wash without wearing rubber boots!

Steve Brady wrote:
Just moved in to a newly renovated house. All sorts of surprises!

The house has sat a few months before we moved in....

We did a load of wash last night and after it was done, we came in to
find some debris and wet spots around a floor drain that was near the
washer.

I then went ahead and partially filled the laundry tub (which the washer
drains in to) and then let out the plug....you could slowly see the
water come up the floor drain and out on to the floor.
Again, some more debris came with it.

I'm assuming we've got a clog in there. Is there something a DIY'er can
do? or do I have to pay the $'s for a plumber?
Hopefully we don't have roots in there, but I don't have enough
experience to say.

Thanks!
sb

Washer drain cycle pushing water up floor drain in basement
 

On Sun, 07 May 2006 09:26:35 -0400, sb wrote:


So, I'm looking at all this as a good thing. BUT, should I be looking
at a backflow plug/valve?
While you are sorting out the ultimate fix, get hold of the pressure
test plug that plumbers use when they test such things as a shower's
ability to hold water. I got mine at Home Depot. for a few bucks.
They come in various pipe sizes. Remove the drain cover, insert the
plug and tighten the wing nut. Works great.
/s/ Packer Backer