I am having a problem with water coming up through my basement drain when we use the washing machine. This drain always has standing water in it. I can take my wet vac and suck the water out of the drain and it just gets filled back up again. (even when no water is in use) The washer is on the newer plumbing and goes into the basement at a differant spot, but I am pretty sure that they do meet up under my house and are the same drain. What would be some steps in fixing my problem? Should I buy some drain cleaning stuff, or maybe call a plumber or a rotto router guy to come and clean out the drain? Also is this even being caused by slow drains?

Any direction would really help.

Thanks

 

You have a partial clog in your main drain line. There should be water in the trap in your basement drain to prevent sewer gas, but it should not back up.
You can open a clean-out and try to snake the main drain line from one end to the other with a heavy-duty plumber's snake (you can rent them).
If that doesn't do it, if you have a sectional underground drain line, such as cast iron or terra cotta, you could have a rootball problem.
You can have that roto-rootered, but it will come back every year or two. The only permanent solution to that is to replace the line, preferably with glued plastic (black ABS or white PVC) that will not allow roots in (if allowed by your local code).
Good luck!
Mike

 

I have a drain snake that I bought at walmart a while back. It is very very long with a coil at the end. Will this be good enough to use? If so I guess I will try this first, then maybe get the roto-rooter guy to clean out the drain. (hope that does not cost me much)

Thanks for the reply

 

If it is about 3/4' steel and long enough to reach from your clean-out to the street or septic tank or partial clog, it should be o.k. Give it a try.
Mike