Plumbing advice

[1100011CS]

We have a floor drain that has recently started backing up. It is right next to the washing machine and only backs up when running the washing machine. But it doesn't happen every time we run it which seems odd to me. Any advice? Do I just bite the bullet and call rotorooter?

 

[BCClone]

I would snake it. Some hardware stores have power snakes to rent, not rocket science to run. You can also get ball valves that allow water in but not to back up and that pressure could help clear it.

 

[AdRock4Cy]

Nice, a plumbing thread. I need help. I just installed a new toilet. All good, no leaks, but now when you flush the toilet or the dishwasher runs, there is a gurgling sound, like air bubbles. Anybody have any recomendations on how to stop that?

 

[ianoconnor]

I had the same problem a while back & ended up having a break in the pipe.

Smith's Sewer was who came out & identified the problem - they were really good. https://www.smithssewerservice.com/

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

How old is your home? Sounds like you need to have it snaked. Unless you really know what you are doing call a plumber and let the pros do it otherwise you could end up with even bigger issues. Plumbing is one of the few things I won't mess with much just because the ramifications are pretty significant.

 

[Stewo]

Had a similar issue not long ago. I bought one of those snake deals that you can attach to a drill and snaked it for about 10 minutes. No issues since.

FWIW, I'd highly recommend getting one of there as it will pay for itself even if you only use it once.

 

[oldman]

I had a clog in my kitchen sinks. Called Roto-Rooter. Guy came out, snaked the line, clog gone. He also put new shut-off valves on my hot/cold lines, installed a new kitchen faucet I've been wanting to do for a year and a half, and fixed my hot water line on my bathroom faucet. Cost me right around $200. Probably would've cost me close to that in chiropractor bills if I crawled and contorted myself under two sinks. I'm capable, but getting too old for that ****!

 

[Acylum]

Not sure how old your septic line is but this sounds exactly like tree roots.

 

[2forISU]

We have a floor drain that has recently started backing up. It is right next to the washing machine and only backs up when running the washing machine. But it doesn't happen every time we run it which seems odd to me. Any advice? Do I just bite the bullet and call rotorooter?

I had a similar problem on a property and after snaking it, we found that tree roots were growing into the pipe. Once a year, I dump RootX and never have an issue anymore.

 

[Rabbuk]

I thought tree root as well

 

[Clonefan94]

Just a heads up, not saying you don't realize this and maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't to my wife and a friend I have. The problem has nothing to do with the floor drain, that's just the lowest spot, so when it backs up, that's where the water comes first. I came home one day and my wife had taken the cover off the drain and had been rooting around in there and said she couldn't find the clog. I had a friend callme saying he did the same thing and if I had any advice finding the clog in the floor drain. So, just throwing it out there in case you don't know anything about plumbing.

Washing machines create a huge outflow of water all at once, compared to almost anything else you will do, even shower. You have a partially clogged pipe somwhere in the drain system. More than likely, somewhere in your yard. I would definitely call the pros and have them go through the clean out.

 

[1100011CS]

Just a heads up, not saying you don't realize this and maybe it's obvious, but it wasn't to my wife and a friend I have. The problem has nothing to do with the floor drain, that's just the lowest spot, so when it backs up, that's where the water comes first. I came home one day and my wife had taken the cover off the drain and had been rooting around in there and said she couldn't find the clog. I had a friend callme saying he did the same thing and if I had any advice finding the clog in the floor drain. So, just throwing it out there in case you don't know anything about plumbing.

Washing machines create a huge outflow of water all at once, compared to almost anything else you will do, even shower. You have a partially clogged pipe somwhere in the drain system. More than likely, somewhere in your yard. I would definitely call the pros and have them go through the clean out.

Yeah, I realize that. It just seems odd that it doesn't happen every time we run the washer. My other thought is the vent stack being blocked or partially blocked. I'm going to buy a cheap snake and try to run it out from the washer drain pipe, the floor drain and another spot and also get on the roof and see if there's anything obvious blocking the vent. If those fail, I'll call the pros.

 

[Cyked15]

Had the exact same issue ongoing for a couple of months, roto-rooter took out a bunch of roots once an then it happened again a few months down the line and this time had sewage in it; long story short the tree roots caused the old sewer line to collapse.

Freaking mess, good luck.

 

[1100011CS]

Had the exact same issue ongoing for a couple of months, roto-rooter took out a bunch of roots once an then it happened again a few months down the line and this time had sewage in it; long story short the tree roots caused the old sewer line to collapse.

Freaking mess, good luck.

Now you're scaring me

 

[Cyked15]

Now you're scaring me

I would have someone who has a line camera come out and look, if there are tree roots growing into it and its an older line it will probably collapse sooner or later, if its already starting to collapse they will be able to save you a lot of guessing. I know the material in sewage lines in the 50s wasnt worth a damn.

Only positive I can see to it is I have a lot less to mow in the front yard for a few weeks!

 

[cyclonpediaJoe]

We're replacing our orangeberger sewer pipe with PVC in a few weeks. $5,000. I hate travelling and having nice things anyways.

 

[1100011CS]

This house was built in the 70's. I'm guessing PVC sewer lines.

 

[nfrine]

An old mechanical contractor always told me this..."In life, it all comes down to plumbing. If the plumbing doesn't work nothing else really matters." He was a very wise man.
Get a good plumber to check it out.