When my washing machine drains it sometimes comes up and out of the open pvc pipe in the service closet where the water heater would drain. I've found lots of posts where people speak of the washer standpipe overflowing, but can't find any info on what would cause my problem. When the washer drains I have to stand at the service closet (next to each other in the garage) and watch/listen. First I can hear gurgling, then hear the water coming up the pipe (similar to the sound of filling a glass of water), then I can see the water just before it emerges and floods my service closet and garage. If I turn the washer off and on as it drains this doesn't happen…but not really feasible for the long run. Any ideas?
How to stop the washing machine drain from overflowing
drainswashing-machine
Related Solutions
With plumbing it is all about maintaining the proper drop per foot. The fact that this is a wash machine makes the call even easier. I guess the theoretical issue would be would the 90s and slowing of the water make it more likely that something could stick to the inside bend and accumulate enough that you would have an issue. My thoughts on this:
- don't see what would stick to PVC from a wash machine
- use long sweep 90s so you don't have sharp bends
- and if this ever did fail you would have easy access to it
I'm going to assume that there's not a trap inside the wall, but if I'm wrong please correct me.
You're going to want to build a standpipe. Start by installing a P-trap into that pipe in the wall. It's hard to tell from the picture what type of pipe it is, but you'll want to use something compatible to make the connection between pipe and trap.
From the other end of the P-trap, you'll want a 2" diameter pipe going straight up 18"-42" long.
You'll then put the washer drain into the top of the standpipe, as described in the manufacturer's installation instructions.
When you're done, it should look something like this.
Best Answer
It sounds like the pipe is partially blocked and water can only get through at a slower speed. The drain at the hot water is the lowest point so that's why it is coming from there. The blockage could be anything, from debris that came in through the pipe in the service closet or a sock that made it out of the washer. Since it's after where the water is coming out of the service closet then you might be able to get a drain snake the problem but you might have to get an expert to get it cleaned out.