A few weeks ago I posted about a problem with bubbles and soap going
into a tiolet when the washing machine runs. I tried snaking it every
which way, etc.

I had read about suds zones which gave me an idea. I switched back to
Arm-n-Hammer detergent (instead of Tide) and the problem is
non-existent.

Hope this helps someone (given this is common problem discussed in this
group.)

It's good to hear follow-up.
So many interesting problems seem to evaporate.

TB

wrote in news:1103313396.606198.76060
@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com:

It's good to hear follow-up.
So many interesting problems seem to evaporate.

Which could be a good thing if it's a water problem. g


--
Wayne in Phoenix

*If there's a nit to pick, some nitwit will pick it.
*A mind is a terrible thing to lose.

wrote in message
ups.com...
A few weeks ago I posted about a problem with bubbles and soap going
into a tiolet when the washing machine runs. I tried snaking it every
which way, etc.

I had read about suds zones which gave me an idea. I switched back to
Arm-n-Hammer detergent (instead of Tide) and the problem is
non-existent.

Hope this helps someone (given this is common problem discussed in this
group.)


The problem is not your soap. Your sewer venting is a problem. There
should be no effect on the toilet from a washing machine discharge.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.

No the sewer venting is not a problem. Please read up on this type of
problem before posting your opinion as fact. Try reading up on a "suds
control zone."

Excessive suds cause exactly this problem. Sorry dude.

wrote in message
oups.com...
No the sewer venting is not a problem. Please read up on this type of
problem before posting your opinion as fact. Try reading up on a "suds
control zone."

Excessive suds cause exactly this problem. Sorry dude.


OK I did a little reading,

===========begin quote===========================
Code Questions
Question: We have noticed that some plumbing codes have suds zone
requirements while others do not. Which code is correct?

Julius replies: The plumbing code with the suds zone has the older code
requirements. The plumbing codes that have more recently evaluated the suds
zone requirements have eliminated the code section. Hence, suds zones are
not effective.

There have been a lot of studies done on sudsing in a drainage stack in tall
buildings. Suds are caused by a combination of turbulent action, air and
high sudsing detergents. If you eliminate one, you have eliminated the
development of suds in the stack. If you study the design layout recommended
for a suds pressure zone, the layout does nothing to eliminate any of these
three items.

The suds zone concept was based on delaying the suds entering the drainage
stack. There was nothing in the suds zone to eliminate sudsing. Once the
suds zone filled with suds, the suds then entered the drainage stack.

The current theory of suds prevention is the use of low sudsing detergents
and smooth pattern fittings. One of the problems, however, is we have no
control over the types of detergents sold on the retail level. Hence, the
sizing of the drainage stack and the proper use of fittings is very
important.

Another means of reducing the creation of suds is by having a drainage stack
discharge into a larger diameter building drain. In other words, a 3-inch
stack discharging into a 4-inch building drain.

===========end quote====================

Seems to me it might be more accurate to state that since the plumbing is
flawed (my point) using a low sudsing detergent is necessary (your point).

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.

The point is: My plumbing is not "flawed," it was done per code when
it was built. This suds problem occurred recently. While I thought
the problem was a drain or vent blockage - it turns out that we
recently switched to "Tide with fabric softner" about the time this
problem started happening.

So I have two choices, rip up everthing including the concrete floor
and replumb the drain waste lines -or- change detergents and have no
problems.

A no brainer if you ask me.

The purpose of my original post was to inform people that they should
try different soaps when trying to diagnose this problem. This is a
problem that comes up freuqntly on this board - and the answer is
always "your vent is clogged, a bird or animal probably died in it."

wrote in message
oups.com...
The point is: My plumbing is not "flawed," it was done per code when
it was built.


I disagree. The reason I say this is that a few soap bubbles are causing
the drains in your home not to function as desired. While I may very well
have solved the issue the same way you did, the fact that problem came up is
indicative of a poorly designed waste system.

This suds problem occurred recently. While I thought
the problem was a drain or vent blockage - it turns out that we
recently switched to "Tide with fabric softner" about the time this
problem started happening.

So I have two choices, rip up everthing including the concrete floor
and replumb the drain waste lines -or- change detergents and have no
problems.

A no brainer if you ask me.

The purpose of my original post was to inform people that they should
try different soaps when trying to diagnose this problem. This is a
problem that comes up freuqntly on this board - and the answer is
always "your vent is clogged, a bird or animal probably died in it."


OK, so to an extent I agree with you. I will however point out that others
read this newsgroup to learn. Assume for instance that a person was going
to remodel and would be exposing the wall or otherwise had access to the
waste pipes that was convenient. Rather than allowing the condition to
exist the homeowner might consider adding better venting to allow the soap
bubbles to make their merry way into the sewer without making the trip via
their toilet.

Others might be building their dream house and might want to consider the
building code as only a minimum standard not an optimal one. For these
instances, they might very well consider your story when deciding that
taking a little more time to design the waste system or perhaps spring for a
few more feet of vent pipe.

I also think that if brand X soap does a better job of cleaning clothes than
brand Y, (I offer no opinion about the effectiveness of any particular
soap.) then that might also be a factor in consideration when faced with
soap in the toilet.

--

Roger Shoaf

About the time I had mastered getting the toothpaste back in the tube, then
they come up with this striped stuff.