October 26, 2020

Basement Drain Backing Up When Washing Clothes

Basement Drain Backing Up When Washing Clothes (Floor drain back up during laundry). When the wash cycle ends the front-load washing machine contains water. Either the washer has a leak or the floor drain is blocked. We checked the washing machine hoses and water lines and a leak has not been found. I put a garden hose in the floor drain and the water came out without any problem. Even though the water from the garden hose goes down the floor drain, it seems that the floor drain comes back and the water gets drained during the laundry. What are some washing machine drain overflow solutions?

Floor drains back when washing clothes – check hose and floor drain

Washer leaking or floor drain blocked?

Your washing machine exits the pump with positive pressure. If the washing machine pumps water out faster than the blocked floor drain, it will return and may cause flooding. Most likely, pipe blockage or partial blockage is causing the issue.

Quick Check: Inspect all hoses and lines on the washer for leaks, see washer drain when water washer is discharged, determine what causes water leakage / flooding, floor using steps below Eliminate drainage or correct water leakage on washer.

Do you use a rigid hose ?: Testing a garden hose on a suspected blocked floor drain may not be the best approach. A washing machine pumps water at about 17.5 GPM gallons per minute. This is 2 or 3 times the flow of a normal garden hose. If you suspect a washing machine floor drain and use a garden hose to determine if the water from the hose will usually flow into the floor drain, making you think the drain is not closed.

Checking full floor drain

DROG CLOGGED ?: The best way to determine whether the floor drain is blocked is to check the drain drain / drain pipe when the washer is pumping outside or discharging water. If the water overflows, you will know that there is a blockage or partial blockage. This also applies when the washing machine flows through the drain wall where the discharge goes into the hose or if you notice a standpipe overflow.

Check for venting issues

Do you have a sensitive ISSUE ?: Depending on the layout of your home, a drainage issue may cause a “venting” problem. What happens with a venting issue? The washer will flow into the floor drain and will flood even if the drain is cleaned. Check the vent pipe on the roof (if applicable), as it can get blocked and cause NO DRAIN problems. Sometimes the floor drain will not climb but the water will overflow. This makes you think that the floor drain is blocked but actually the vent pipe on the roof or other vent is blocked and causes the issue.

Is water leaking from the washing machine?

Examine all these reasons why water may leak around your washing machine. It should be checked if you are unsure if there is a drain issue or if the washer is leaking water.

Gently slide the washer away from the wall…

Inspect the water hose from the wall to the washer.
Check the drain line to make sure it is safe and in place.
Ensure that the water taps (hot and cold) on the wall do not leak or are coral. (See see picture)
Check all water hoses and drain lines for damage.

Note: If the washer drain pump does not function properly, the washer drain will not drain, even if the drain line is not interrupted. Check that the drain pump is in working order.

Tasting before water – water valves may leak

Washers not leaking? – Check floor drain

If the washing machine sees fine and no leaks, then you must determine whether the floor drain is blocked or partially blocked.

Washer drains with positive pressure. The pressurized water goes into the sewer in the open top tube. When the washing machine drains the water faster, the floor drain can be handled. The pipe has a blockage or blockage and is causing flooding.

Drain barrier solution

Dry: If you have floor drain obstruction, you can try removing the dagger with a snake, auger, or chemical drain cleaner. If you determine that a floor drain blockage is not a DIY job, we recommend using a professional plumber to come out and clean the drain.

Tip: If there is a sink in the room, see how filling the sink with water empties the drain line. If it comes out fast and then slows down, you most likely have a partial blockage, restriction, or a dagger that is further down the drain line.

How To Unclog a Washer Floor Drain with/without a Snake

You can try using some dranos or liquid plumber or similar. Pour it into a drain or open top tube and allow it to sit for about 3 to 5 hours. It will hopefully dissolve any clogs that you have in line. Use the second time if not successful the first time.

Another option you can try is to try to open it further using an industrial rider or snake. Read the instructions on how to use your drain snake. There is a snake that uses a professional plumber and if used properly, will most likely have to open the drain.

Spin through drain auger

Is the snake the right size ?: Make sure the snake you use has a long ENOUGH, use it in the correct LOCATION, and make sure it’s a BIG ENOUGH. Ensure that the snake that is used has little to unlog the line. The snake should be fed at the exact location where the blockage is. Go far enough, in the right area, and make sure the snake is the right size for the job.

If all else fails we recommend calling a supporter. Professional plumbers have all the right equipment and know how to solve the problem. If there is a main line problem, it affects all the drains in your house.

How to stop a flooded basement with standpipe – adapter, drain, plug

New Washer or New Drain Pump ?: If you replaced the drain pump on your washer or got a new washer, this could be a problem. A new drain pump to drain water can be extra powerful for a 2-inch pipe. A clogged pipe can push the water back through your hose, making the drain pump work harder and soon fail and need to be replaced. How to replace a washing machine drain pump.

If you have a dirty drain line and need help unblocking it or other questions about the water washing machine, please leave your question and comment below and we can help.

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