Washing machine drain backing up

A washing machine drain backing up can be a real mess while doing a basic everyday chore such as laundry. It makes the chore feel even more like a burden and takes up precious time.

A drain backing up can be fixed and prevented easily.

Washing machine drain backing upwashing machine drain backing up reasons

There are several reasons a washing machine drain backs up. They can be basic and complex.

Some can be fixed at home, and some require professional assistance. A few of them can be:

Blockage in the drain pipe

Perhaps one of the most basic complications due to which the machine drain backs up is a blockage in the drain pipe.

The pipe can be blocked due to dirt, foreign threads and objects, and a stray piece of fabric from the machine.

Methods to unclogmethods to unclog

Various methods can be used to unclog a pipe. From Using many store-bought drain cleaners to homemade drain cleaners, there is a wide array of products and methods available to do this job.

Using the wrong sized drain pipe

If a large washing machine uses a large amount of water, it needs to drain that water accordingly.

Using a too-small pipe can lead to the water not draining sufficiently fast and causing it to overflow.

This can be fixed by using a big enough drain pipe, so the water does not overflow.

Cast-iron pipes

If a house was built years ago, chances are it uses cast–iron pipes. Cast iron pipes are known to have sludge buildup in them.

Moreover, cast iron pipes can rust easily if the house water system sits still for a while. This may cause the pipes to completely block and cause water to overflow.

This can be solved by getting the pipe cleaned or replaced.

Diagnosing the completion in the drainusing the wrong sized drain pipe

If water back up can be seen from the standpipe, the machine drain is most likely the issue.

Location of clog

Monitoring the timing of the pipe overflow can help locate the blockage in the pipe. The closer to the beginning of the pipe, the clot is, the quicker it overflows.

These can be estimated with several timeframes.

  1. If the water overflows within a few seconds, the clog is located at the very start of the pipe. It can easily be cleared with a pipe cleaner.
  2. If it requires about half a minute or more, the blockage might be further in the pipe and might not be easily accessible with a handheld pipe cleaner. This type of clog will require the help of a professional plumber.
  3. If it takes even longer, this means the clog is not in the pipe, but there is a bigger issue with the house’s plumbing system. This need to be resolved as soon as possible, so it does not cause further complications.

The problem may also be within the machine pump. This needs to be examined thoroughly to see if it has clots or lint stuck.

How to prevent the drain from overflowing

We can prevent the drain from overflowing by using a few simple methods and incorporating them into our routine.

These are:

  • Use a lint bag to trap anything that might be a hazard to the drain pipe.
  • Clean the drain pipe regularly
  • Inspect the pipe and other places where dirt might get stuck regularly.

FAQ

Washing machine drain hose backflow prevention

Washing machines drain into what are called standpipes. Backflow prevention through a properly installed and maintained standpipe assembly is of utmost importance for keeping your washing machine in good working order, minimizing the risk of damage to your laundry room floor, and avoiding annoyances with overly-large puddles of water that could lead to accidents.

Washing machine drain overflows by the wall where the discharge hose goes in

To unclog your drain, grab a bucket, funnel, and some boiling water. Remove the drain pipe from your washing machine and slowly pour the water into the sink using a package of baking soda. Wait a few minutes and test if it keeps draining if you pour more water into it.

Does washing machine drain into sewer line?

Washing machine drain lines are fed by a pump, which moves water from inside the drum through a flexible hose on the bottom of the machine, and then flushes it down into your home sewer system, where it makes its way out of your home sewer system.

How to unblock a washing machine waste pipe?

The fastest way to clear a clogged drain is by following this simple procedure: first, put a generous amount of baking soda into the drain.

Next, pour a pot of boiling water into the drain – let it sit for about 5 minutes, then run hot water from your tap as you try flushing it away with the pot you used earlier.

If this doesn’t work, you can use a chemical product such as Drano or try using a plunger if trying other procedures hasn’t been very successful.

Conclusion

Washing machine drain backing up. The washing machine drain can be backed up due to several reasons. Diagnosing the issue and adopting prevention methods can help a lot.

Related Guides