As the title says, the drain pipe for my washing machine plugged up the other day.

I've tried putting a snake down there and while I'm having difficulty getting it through and past the P-trap, I was able to snag a little of the obstruction. It basically looks like caked up lint and dog hair.

Following that, I tried running a tub or two worth of water through it and it seems like it works OK, but I can't imagine what little I got out is what was blocking the pipe. So, I'm thinking that there is more down there that is only going to plug up again probably at the most inopportune time.

On the other hand, perhaps while futzing around down there I broke loose whatever was plugging things up and now it's fine.

Frankly, I don't trust it and am wondering if there is something else I should do/try. Maybe try to run a fishtape down there? Pour some type of drain cleaner down there? Cut the pipe and do it right, then glue a coupler on there to put it back together (I'd rather not tackle this). I do have a long endoscope, but it's not steerable so I'm not able to get it past the trap.

I don't have a plumber available as he's off hunting for the next two weeks.

Suggestions?

I've used this before to clear a clog. It swells and seals to the side of the pipe then puts your full water pressure against the clog.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I did buy one of those too, but was a little nervous about using it after reading up on them. I'd hate to have it blow out and further complicate the clog. Maybe I'll try it and just take it slow.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
As the title says, the drain pipe for my washing machine plugged up the other day.

I've tried putting a snake down there and while I'm having difficulty getting it through and past the P-trap, I was able to snag a little of the obstruction. It basically looks like caked up lint and dog hair.

Following that, I tried running a tub or two worth of water through it and it seems like it works OK, but I can't imagine what little I got out is what was blocking the pipe. So, I'm thinking that there is more down there that is only going to plug up again probably at the most inopportune time.

On the other hand, perhaps while futzing around down there I broke loose whatever was plugging things up and now it's fine.

Frankly, I don't trust it and am wondering if there is something else I should do/try. Maybe try to run a fishtape down there? Pour some type of drain cleaner down there? Cut the pipe and do it right, then glue a coupler on there to put it back together (I'd rather not tackle this). I do have a long endoscope, but it's not steerable so I'm not able to get it past the trap.

I don't have a plumber available as he's off hunting for the next two weeks.

Suggestions?

after much fooling around with snakes, I have had success clearing clogged drains with compressed air. There is a product, meant to attach to a garden hose, that has an inflatable bladder that seals against the walls of the pipe to allow a buildup of pressure on the far side. Link. I rigged this to an air compressor and use it without water (the first time I tried it with a garden hose was a major mess, it slipped out of the drain and started spraying water everywhere). Usually, I get it in place in the drain nipple, then get on the roof to block the vent pipe with my hand, almost always it clears the clog within seconds, you can tell by the pressure difference against your hand. Do not attempt to apply pressure from the vent pipe, you will have nasty sewer water all over your floor. This might work better if you have a helper to go up on the roof. Of course, you don't need to block the vent if the clog is before the Y pipe (but for these, the snake is usually sufficient).

I have considered substituting a pipe cap, threaded for an air quick connect instead of the bladder to hold the pressure/contain any spillage, but have been too lazy to accomplish it. Seems like it might be a little easier to construct if starting from scratch. Of course, this approach fails if you have a PVC nipple.

If you feel more comfortable with a snake, something like this is far superior to a naked cable, even when twisted by a drill.

Don't use Drano or another chemical, as doing so precludes mechanical options due to possibility of splash back.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:
I did buy one of those too, but was a little nervous about using it after reading up on them. I'd hate to have it blow out and further complicate the clog. Maybe I'll try it and just take it slow.

I understand the apprehension. I think I would only use this if you had several feet of pipe before the clog that you could fish this device down into. I wouldn't want to use it right at the washer drain opening as it might get a bit messy.

Does the drain pipe also drain the kitchen sink? That turned out to be the culprit in backing up the washing machine drain. I would not use drain cleaner in the pipe.

I had a sideloader washing machine that wasn't draining.

I found out it was plugged on the inside with small pieces of clothing. We had young women visiting and staying with us at the time.

The stuff somehow got outside of the drum and plugged the hole.

So are you certain the clog is in the pipes and not in your machine?

The garden hose bladder thingy only works if the pipe is completely clogged. If it is passing any water, it won't build any pressure to clear the obstruction.

A few years ago I had a washer drain problem that the plumber could not fix. He came out a total of 5 times and snaked the drain again and again.

Finally, after I talked to a friend, I asked him to get on the roof and snake the exhaust thing. He didn't want to, said it would make no difference.

I kept after him insisting he get on the roof and snake it. I had a very simple and low roof, nothing high sloped or complicated or especially risky, single story ranch style house. He finally said he just didn't like to get on roofs, was afraid of heights.

He finally did, and that fixed my problem immediately and completely.
.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
So are you certain the clog is in the pipes and not in your machine?

Yep, it's definitely in the pipe. Water is coming through the drain hose just fine.

What is the distance from the pipe opening where the washer hose inserts and the P-trap?

You may be able to use a borescope. Either stand alone or one that connects to your phone for under $50.

I have an endoscope that would be long enough, but I can't get it through trap. It's semi-rigid (bendable) and not steerable. Trap is just below the floor, so...four feet or so.

An endoscope is a pretty expensive snake.LOL

Last week I learned there is a strainer cage/filter on our front load washer. Got a code on our menu screen indicating the machine couldn't drain. It shut down mid cycle. Searched the code and the results mentioned the strainer might be full. Sure enough it was packed with whatever gunk comes off of clothes in the wash. Cleaned that out and whaddayaknow!, the washer can drain again.

Maybe yours has a clogged strainer too.

Washer standpipe drains rarely clog. They are 2" by code and very little to no solids made it into the wastewater. A poorly reamed PVC drain component will catch some lint but the water should still make it through.

Any handheld snake should sail through a 2" p-trap [u-bend + street elle]. My theory is a washer discharge hose extension, like a 6" piece of pipe fitted onto the end of a washer discharge hose, became detached and dropped into the standpipe.

IF it is an old cast drain, extended behind the stack rearward to maximum by code, it's likely closed up by scale all the way to the wye. Especially the throat of the wye.

2" PVC, and it does not appear that anything dropped down. I can see down to the water in the trap with my scope and it's unobstructed.

quote:

Originally posted by OKCGene:
A few years ago I had a washer drain problem that the plumber could not fix. He came out a total of 5 times and snaked the drain again and again.

Finally, after I talked to a friend, I asked him to get on the roof and snake the exhaust thing. He didn't want to, said it would make no difference.

I kept after him insisting he get on the roof and snake it. I had a very simple and low roof, nothing high sloped or complicated or especially risky, single story ranch style house. He finally said he just didn't like to get on roofs, was afraid of heights.

He finally did, and that fixed my problem immediately and completely.
.

This how I fix my daughter's washer drain problem. Was able to use the snake down from the roof drain vent to the clog bypassing the p-trap.

Also can use the roof drain vent to use the flexible scope to see the clog. Sometimes the vent can get clog by birds nesting or bee hives that will block the vent and prevent the drain from working.

Blow out or vacuum out the trap and take another look.

quote:

Frankly, I don't trust it and am wondering if there is something else I should do/try. Maybe try to run a fishtape down there? Pour some type of drain cleaner down there? Cut the pipe and do it right, then glue a coupler on there to put it back together (I'd rather not tackle this). I do have a long endoscope, but it's not steerable so I'm not able to get it past the trap.

^^ All of above except you don't need an endoscope.
Keep running a rotary snake line down until you feel it is clear.
Then pump some drain cleaner or if you have time some of the enzyme bio cleaners (they work but take time).
Pressure to push out can help too.

I recently had a bathroom drain where the wife uses clog up.
It would drain some but very very slow.
Through down lots of standard cleaners.
Ran a snake line down to the limit of the snake which was 25' I think.
Still a very slow drain.
Then used the Enzyme cleaner a friend gave me daily over the course of a week.
Ran another snake.
Then a traditional cleaner.
Waited then Hot water.
Finally it was clear.
Not sure which step worked the best but it was way cheaper than calling a plumber.
You jut have to be persistent and use the combination of chemical and physical force.

Had this same issue on a brand new house. 6-7 months in the washer quit draining. Ran my snake as far as it would go and nothing. Go under the house and cut the line and run the snake backwards, still nothing. Call a plumber out and he comes out with his powered snake and I’m watching from under the house where I cut the line. I never see anything come through except the snake but the line drained after he did this. Makes no sense to me but after he ran the snake, problem solved.