Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Home Repair (alt.home.repair) For all homeowners and DIYers with many experienced tradesmen. Solve your toughest home fix-it problems. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#2
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#3
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#4
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#5
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#6
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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. |
#7
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#8
Posted to alt.home.repair
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|