washer backing up


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Old 04-04-21, 10:57 PM
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washer backing up

hello all,

I have a problem with my new washer backing up and wasting water on the floor.

A little info about the setup. I moved into this home about 2 years ago and at the time i had a front load washer and had no problems(I assume because it uses less water), that washer stopped working so i bought a new top load washer. now when i wash clothes the water, while draining, backs up and spills over onto the floor. you can hear the pipe fill up with water and then it will overflow then gurgle and then drain some more then repeat the process.

so far i used a snake and snaked the whole line all the way to the septic tank. I removed the two clean out caps that are outside the kitchen window in the ground between the house and septic tank and seen that when i put the snake down the washer drain it came through the 2" clean out so i am assuming the 2" pipe drains into the 4" pipe at some point between the clean outs and the septic tank.

An help would be great.


 
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Old 04-05-21, 05:32 AM
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What size is the drain pipe for your washer? How high is the top of the washer's drain pipe above the floor?
 
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Old 04-05-21, 10:26 AM
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The drain hose from my washer seems to be 1.25” or 1.5” and that goes into a 2” drain pipe in the wall. The drain pipe is about 4’ from the floor.
 
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Old 04-05-21, 10:52 AM
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You have a 2" which is good but it sounds like it's still not taking water fast enough. How long a time from when the washer starts pumping out water until it backs up? How long will give you an idea where the obstruction lies. If it happens quickly then the problem is close. The longer it takes the water to backup the further away the restriction is located.
 
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Old 04-05-21, 12:13 PM
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I doubt you have a clog.
Typically a front end washer uses less water (due to smaller load size) than a top loader. A top loader tends to be bigger and can take more wash and therefore more water. Your discharge pipe and drain just aren't big enough to handle the water discharge. I'm only guessing here but I think top loaders may have a more powerful pump.
My son has the same problem and we are in the process of adding a stationary sink to make for a "reservoir" of sorts. I never did like those discharge pipes for a washing machine. In the event of a clog the drain should be able to handle the capacity of the washer. Hence the stationary tub.
 
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Old 04-05-21, 08:46 PM
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we are in the process of adding a stationary sink to make for a "reservoir" of sorts.
A sink next to the washer is a good idea as it's a place for the extra water to temporarily stay while the water drains .
 
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Old 04-05-21, 09:25 PM
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about half way through the drain cycle is when it starts to back up.

I have read others saying it could be that the top loader uses more water and drains faster.

A sink could be a solution but i would like to stay away from that if possible.

could it be a vent issue?
 
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Old 04-06-21, 09:49 AM
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Could definitely be a vent issue. If there's no vent nearby, the water could be struggling to drain (like turning a soda bottle over).

My first guess would be a clog, but it sounds like you've snaked the 2" pipe well enough, so I'd consider locating the vent or adding a new one if needed.

You showed the 4" clean-out. Where is the main stack in relation to the washer?
 
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Old 04-06-21, 10:25 AM
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I think there is a vent above the kitchen and the washer too. I will have to get in the roof to double check.

what is the best way to make sure they are cleared out?
 
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Old 04-06-21, 11:18 AM
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I doubt you have vent problem. You didn't before the new washer, and no other sinks or appliances are slow draining.
Again I think the volume is greater than the drain can handle.
 
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Old 04-06-21, 01:48 PM
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Vent lines can clog but I have never seen it happen. In a case like this it's usually a partial clog or something wrong with the way the piping was run like not enough fall in the line or a second trap.
 
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  #12  
Old 04-07-21, 08:45 AM
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I have fixed the problem. I decided to snake the drain again but used a bigger attachment(last time I think it was 1” and this time 1.5”)this time and I guess it was just partially blocked and the smaller attachment did not free it up up cause now it drains without backing up.

thank you everyone
 
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Old 04-07-21, 08:58 AM
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Glad to see you solved the problem.
 
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Old 04-07-21, 10:43 AM
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I'm glad you got it. Sometimes you just have to stick with it when cleaning drains. Usually I go at least 4 or 6 passes but grease and other clogs can sometimes take a lot more.
 
 

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