What Causes A Washer Drain To Overflow
When we bought our house, I suppose we should have paid more attention to the patched plaster on the wall behind the washing machinea clear sign that overflow from the drainpipe happened before! A few months after we moved in, water started overflowing everywhere during the drain cycle of the washer, and we realized we had a real problem.
Older houses like ours were built when washers were smaller and didn’t require as big of a pipe to drain them. Today’s extra-large capacity washers use more water and spit it out faster. The result? The pipe that the washer drains into can get overwhelmed and overflow all over the floor.
Even if you have a low water use washer, you can have this problem if lint clogs up the drain. That’s what happened to us. We would get the drain cleaned out, and everything would be fine for a while. Then, just when I was overloaded with laundry from three preschoolers, there would be another messy disaster all over the floor.
Signs You May Have A Main Sewer Line Clog
Worried you might have a main sewer line clog, but wanting a little more information before you start making phone calls? Here are a few signs that its your main line thats clogged.
- Multiple slow-running drains. If more than one drain is running slow, its probably not a coincidence, but an indication that one clog is causing issues for all of them. Youll usually see them start running slowly on the first floor first, where theyre the closest to the blockage, and as the situation worsens, second-floor drains will start being affected too.
- Water backing up into other drains. If water starts coming out of the drain in a main floor tub or shower, or if the toilets start filling up when you use a drain or run the washing machine, most likely you have a main sewer line clog. The water has to go somewhere, and since its cant flow out of the house the way it usually does, itll find another opening.
- Gurgling sounds. If you hear gurgling when you run water down the drain, flush the toilet, or run the washing machine, thats a sign that the water is having trouble draining. The noises are the glug-glug sounds of water passing with difficulty past a blockage.
- Sewage odors coming from the drains. If your drains smell foul, especially on the lower levels, its a pretty good indication that sewage water is backing up into them.
Can You Put Drano In Washing Machine Drain
Drano is safe to use in your washing machine drain to help eliminate a clog. If you are going to use Drano, you need to make sure to run an empty load right after using it to help flush out any remanence of Drano from the washing machine drain and plumbing.
Drano can cause damage to PVC piping if left sitting for too long as it will soften the plastic piping and eat away at the PVC glue used to connect the pipes.
Please be advised, that because Drano is a chemical, you should also be careful while using it that you do not get any on your skin or breath it in as it can also be harmful to your lungs.
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Why Is Water Coming Out Of The Sink Overflow
It is possible that the water is coming out of the sink overflow due to a plumbing issue. Clogs in the sink drain or pipes leading to the sink can cause water to build up and spill over the edge. Toilet problems can also cause water to back up into the sink.
Furthermore, the water supply valves may have been accidentally left open or turned too high, which can also cause water to come out of the sink overflow. In any case, it is best to consult a professional for assistance in order to determine the exact cause and address the issue.
Remedies For Sewage Backup Symptoms
Sewage is a major problem in any home and is most often the result of a clogged line that causes a backup. No one likes to clean up sewage, and its even worse when it happens regularly.
A few things can be done to prevent a sewage backup from happening. Here are some remedies for when it does happen:
Turn off the water main and call us at Beyer Plumbing Company Scoop out accumulated water with a bucket or pot Use deodorizers to eliminate odors Contact your insurance company or landlord if the damage is severe
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The Kitchen And Washing Machine Share The Same Drain
It is common for kitchen appliances and the washer to drain through the same pipe. Food particles and Grease often build up in that pipe, slowing the water flow. If it gets bad enough, it could stop up altogether. This not only backs up your kitchen sink but can also back up your washing machine as well.
Sometimes, water might back up in the kitchen sink while youre doing a load of laundry, or your bathtub will fill with water. Either case means that your main drain line is clogged. You need to call a professional to clear the drain for you.
Luckily, you can avoid major clogs by not putting food and grease down your kitchen drain.
2. The Washer Doesnt Fill Up or Has the Wrong Temperature
This symptom can often indicate issues in your washers water inlet valves. The inlet valves connect two water hoses to your machine, which control the flow of hot and cold water.
Occasionally, mineral deposits can build up in these valves, causing restrictions that impede water flow. Hot/cold water hoses connect with solenoid inlet valves that are electro-mechanically operated. If mineral deposits have built upon these components, then the electric signals to open or close the flow of hot/cold water can be impeded.
3. The Washer Makes Loud Noises and Appears to Want To Leave The Laundry Room
4. Drains Overflowing In Your House After Doing a Load of Laundry
Why Is My Toilet Overflowing When Washer Drains
If the toilet bubbles or you can see the water level in the toilet rising, then the clog is very likely in the main sewer line, not the toilet. Washing Machine If the water draining out of the washing machine causes the toilet to overflow or backs up into the tub or shower it could be the sewer main at fault
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What To Do If Your Main Sewer Drain Is Clogged
Don’t run the water or flush the toilet! If you don’t add water to your drain system, you can’t make the problem worse . As an added precaution, you can shut off the main water supply to the house so that no one runs the water by accident. Tell everyone in the house not to use water, then call a plumber or drain specialist to have the drain cleared. These professionals have special equipment, including motorized augers, to quickly and effectively remove large clogs in the main sewer drains.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Have A Clogged Sewer Line Turn Off Your Main Water Supply Asap
Shutting off the main water supply valve will stop excess water or sewage from flooding your home.
To turn off your main water supply, youll first need to locate the valve. This is usually located in:
- The basement or crawlspace
- An area close to your water heater
Water supply valves can vary by home. Turn the knob clockwise to shut it off, or it has a red handle valve, simply turn it horizontally to be in the Off position.
Sometimes your main water valve is located in a water meter box outside your home near the street. You’ll see a water meter valve that you can use a wrench to turn clockwise to shut off.
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How Drain Snakes Work
Both work similarly and are best at getting out hair and lint that sticks in the drains. I push the snake down the drain, turn it around, and then pull it up again. Especially if you have dog or human hair that goes down your drains, this can help a lot since hair clogs are hard to dissolve with any drain product.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Can You Unclog A Main Sewer Line Yourself
No, attempting to unclog a main sewer line yourself is not recommended. This type of repair job is best left to a professional plumber, as it requires the use of specialized plumbing tools and knowledge of building codes and safety regulations.
Plumbers have the knowledge and experience needed to accurately diagnose and repair your main sewer line. They also have access to powerful, high-powered equipment that allows them to identify the cause of the clog and safely remove it.
DIY attempts to fix a main sewer line may further damage the sewer system, resulting in a much more expensive repair job down the line.
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Why Does My Washing Machine Drain So Fast
Occasionally, you may come across the opposite problem: a washing machine that drains too fast. This usually happens because the water flows out of the washer faster than the pipe can drain.
For this fix, you need to restrict the water flow so it slows down. This gives the drain additional time to handle the water discharge. There are several options to restrict water flow, including making or buying a flow restrictor.
What Causes Toilets To Gurgle When Washing Clothes
When washing clothes, gurgling sounds coming from the toilet is usually caused by a siphoning effect. The washing machine is using water from the households pressurized water supply, but when the machine drains it can create negative pressure in the plumbing lines.
This negative pressure can draw in air from the toilet and other fixtures, resulting in gurgling and bubbling noises as the air travels through the pipes. The problem is generally more noticeable if the washing machine drains through a standpipe at the same height as the water level in the toilet bowl.
Toilets in lower levels can also gurgle due to the same effect, but it would likely be less noticeable.
In some cases, gurgling noises coming from the toilet may also be due to an obstruction in the sewer line. If the obstruction is blocking the water from draining properly, it can create a vacuum effect.
This vacuum can draw air from the pipes, resulting in gurgling and bubbling noises coming from the toilet. If this is the case, the obstruction will have to be removed from the sewer line in order to resolve the issue.
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How Do You Unclog A Washing Machine Drain Pipe
If you dont feel prepared to manually take apart your laundry unit and use a drain snake to clear dense debris from your clogged washing machine drain, you can also try flushing out your drainage systems with non-caustic home cleaning mixtures, typically made of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water.
How Do I Know If My Main Sewer Line Is Clogged
If you suspect that your main sewer line is clogged, there are several ways to check for blockages. First, you should check all of the drains in your home to see if they are all draining slowly or not at all.
If all the drains in the home are draining slowly or not at all, its likely that there is a blockage in your main sewer line.
Another way to see if your main sewer line is clogged is to check the toilets in your home. If any of the toilets in your home are backing up or have a slow flush, this could indicate a blockage in the main sewer line.
Finally, a plunger can be used to test each drain. If the water in the sink or tub does not move down with ease after plunging, this too could indicate a blockage in the main sewer line.
If your main sewer line is clogged, you should contact a professional plumber to clear the blockage. Professional plumbers have the skills, knowledge and specialized tools to unclog a blocked sewer line.
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Why Your Toilet Bubbles When Washer Drains
If you hear gurgles or similar sounds in a toilet drain or sink drain, it means that the air is escaping the pipes. If it is gurgling while washing clothes, it means that your washing machine is pushing air back through the tube. However, if you block the toilet drain, it will still find a way to get out through the nearest available pipe.
That way, you have temporarily stopped it from draining, but you havent found the root of the problem. Sooner or later, it would show up again. There are several reasons why it might happen. In this article, we will tell you what you should do if you notice toilet bubbles when the waster drains.
How Does The Washing Machine Drain
To understand why your washing machine overflow, you should understand how the washer eliminates water with every wash cycle. When the wash cycle is over, the washing machine uses a pump to force water into the drain hose and out of its tub/holding tank. The drain hose curves up and out of the washing machine until it connect to a standpipe its typically placed close to the cold and hot water supply valves. When everything in the washing machine and the drainage system works as expected, the water goes through the hose and gets into the standpipe. From there, it will travel to your houses main sewage pipe.
Any time and then, though, some components of the drainage process become defective, which causes excess water from the washing machine. First thing, you need to identify the cause of the overflow. Main sewer line blockage, lint buildups, and other debris could block the hose and generate the flood. Dont call the plumber for professional advice, as the solutions and preventative measures are straightforward.
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Symptoms Of A Sewer Drain Clog
Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Aaron’s articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years.
The Spruce
A sewer drain clog can be a serious problem that may qualify as a plumbing emergency and a potential health concern. Without a route to the main sewer system or septic field, wastewater may have nowhere to go but to back up into your fixtures or up through floor drains. When faced with a sewer line drain clog, you should not use any of the plumbing in the home until the stoppage is cleared out.
Warning Signs Your Washing Machine May Have A Plumbing Problem
Washing Machine
The average American family does 810 loads of laundry each week. That amounts to Families in the U.S. wash about 468 loads of laundry every year. No wonder it seems like Im always folding or hanging things up! Because this appliance is used so often, you can have a real issue if it stops working and you need fresh clothes for school or work. It is helpful to call out a professional plumber if you need repairs done, but you can keep a vigilant eye out for signs to look for so that you can catch plumbing issues before they escalate. Take a look below at the 4 signs your washing machine may have a plumbing problem and need help from the Pros.
1. Water Is Draining Out Of Washer But Spilling Onto The Floor
The washing machine drain box is where the lines and hoses from your washing machine connect to your homes plumbing. If the water is backing up there, its a crucial sign that the problem is in the plumbing.
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What Causes A Clogged Sewer Line
A clogged sewer line can stem from:
- Tree roots. Tree roots cause the majority of sewer line clogs, particularly in older houses. Drawn to the warmth and moisture offered by sewer lines, tree roots enter the pipes through any tiny cracks or loose joints they can find. Feeding on the plentiful nutrients they find there, the roots grow and create blockages in the sewer line. Over time, the small sewer line molehill created by tree roots becomes a big mountain of debris.
- Fats, oil, and grease. Known in the plumbing community as FOG, fats, oil, and grease can sometimes lead to a clogged sewer line. When hot, these substances seem liquid, so many people pour them down the drain without another thought but as soon as they cool off, they congeal, trapping debris and causing blockages.
- Foreign objects. Tampons, pads, diapers, paper towels, facial tissues, baby wipes, and even extra-thick toilet paper can get stuck in your pipes, collect debris, and cause a sewer line stoppage.
- Old sewer lines and plumbing issues. If you live in an older home and have not replaced your piping system, your sewer pipes will inevitably develop cracks and breaks that end up in total piping system collapse. Even if your home has a newer piping system, if the plumbing connections are poorly made, it may cause a sewer line clog.