Has anyone every come across a clogged trap for a washing machine? I’m troubleshooting a problem for a customer, so far over the phone. They live in a condo complex. I’m wondering if there is a clog somewhere since it caused the water to come up the drain pipe and spill all over the floor.
Thanks, Mike Micalizzi Contracting, Conn.
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Replies
LINT
In a condo complex, the other possibility is a clog from a different condo on a lower floor, water from above.
so far over the phone???
and the internet?
seems like a simple DIY job, the Condo owner must really be a dork <g>
How many stories is the condo?
Yes I have seen every kind of trap clog in one way or another.
Did it only spill over when they were using their washer, or did it spill when the washer was not running?
In search of a new tagline, don't worry I'm sure I'll find one that will bother somebody. ;-þ
Bill, not to hijack, but re:
In search of a new tagline
Did you see Ron's tagline about letting Teddy drive Hillary home from the convention over a bridge??
That's too funny.
I just found one by Einstein I'll be puting up later.
In search of a new tagline, don't worry I'm sure I'll find one that will bother somebody. ;-þ
.....clogged trap .... washing machine......
Yes, in a beach house.
Seems the owners had an old washing machine with a not-to-agressive pump for a long time. Also seems the owners did not believe in removing excess sand before washing from the grandkid's suits, towels, etc.
Sand would pump out along with the water - settle in trap, then add some lint as a binder. Let sit a week or so between cycles to encourage maximum amalgamation.
New washing machine with a decent pump and much better flow caused the standpipe to overflow at the very first cycle.
Rod and flush, rod and flush, rod and flush, repeat about 10 times - got away with it as the WM drain went directly into the 4" main drain line from the house.
Suggested the owners shake / brush / rinse outside with a hose to remove excess sand before washing.
Jim
Is this a new washer.
Some of them have bigger pumps and will overload some marginal drains.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
5th floor of high rise condo. Trap and line to main 10' away, were clogged with lint. Regular hand snake solved the problem took out forty years of lint but trap was 1 1/2 or 1.25 copper can't remember which.
Wallyo
Darndest one I ever heard of was my Secretary's house, about 15 years ago. Washing machine trap was clogged, had the plumber out, they found about 1/2 pound of roofing nails, used nails, in the trap. She had just had the roof replaced, I guess the $4 an hour laborer thought, hey, this pipe sticking through the roof will make a great place to get rid of these nails !
Greg
... roofing nails.......
Strong magnet on a string = plumbing snake.
That is of course after you figure out what the clog is............
Wonder what the roofing job is like...........
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Thanks again for the feedback guys. I'll be there Saturday and I'll find out for sure what caused the drain pipe to leak.
About every 5 years I have to rent a rooter and clean out the drain leading from our washing machine, or else it will overflow. The combination of lint and detergent scum creates a substantial buildup in the pipes.
You wouldn't believe the lint that comes out of a washing machine. I'm in an old house with the washer draining into an adjacent wash tub. We put metal filter socks over the outlet, and they have to be replaced twice a month as they clog up. I think the modern in the wall washer drain is a wish and a hope that there won't be a clog down the road.
This is what I thought the thread was going to be about:
View Image
Classic.
;-)
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA