washer drain and rain pipe issue
In our garden duplex, the ground floor washer drains into the same pipe that takes rain water from the roof of the brownstone down to the sewer pipe below the house. I posted on this some months ago and found out that this is not uncommon. I just can’t do wash when it rains because…
In our garden duplex, the ground floor washer drains into the same pipe that takes rain water from the roof of the brownstone down to the sewer pipe below the house. I posted on this some months ago and found out that this is not uncommon. I just can’t do wash when it rains because it is too much water for the pipe to handle. Now, however, the pipe is overflowing (slightly) with every wash cycle no matter what the weather or size of the load.
The bottom pipe that goes to the basement is open and has room for the large metal rain pipe (attached) and a small space for the rubber washer drain tube – we don’t see any blockage when we remove the washer drain tube and look in.
Who could I call to help me figure this out? The GE washer guy says it is a drainage issue not a washer issue. Our landlord prefers to have us deal with problems directly and send the bill. I’m hoping this is a minor fixable problem.
Thanks.
OP here,
Thank you for all of these comments. Part of our concern as renters is that this laundry hook up may violate code. We don’t want to unpack a can of worms here. I will take the first step to call a roto rooter type plumber to try to clear the line.
you never should be dumping your w/d into a roof drain…a roof drain is a seperate entity entirely …wgoever did this was an idiot…hire a real plumber to correct this , as it violatesplumbing code
Since the previous posters seem to be very knowledgeable about drain pipes, may I ask a bit of a different question? I have been struggling with a leak into the 1st floor extension of my house. Above the area where there is a leak is a deck. We have re-roofed the deck and done a water test on the deck and it doesn’t seem to be the deck surface causing the leak. We also have a leader pipe coming down from the roof and entering the house very close to the area of the leak. I am now thinking that perhaps there is some way water is leaking out of this pipe and into the extension. Does this sound possible–and if so, would I also call a Roto-rooter type person for this or does a contractor need to open up the wall and investigate? This problem has been going on for 3 years and I can’t stress how desperate I am to solve this mystery. Thanks so much! julie
Since this is a roof drain, the problem could be a build-up of silt in the pipe. Silt is the particles of ‘dust’ that build up on the roof. The silt flows off the roof with the rain water and settles in any low point in the drain pipe. Over time they cause a partial blockage of the pipe. The silt gets as hard as concrete and does not respond to the regular Roto-Rooter type equipment. They may have to use a ‘jet’ cleaner that builds up pressure in the line and flushes the silt out to the sewer. This type of cleaning will cost more ($250?) but is well worth it because you will never need it again (at least not in your lifetime).
Your problem is simple so DO NOT be duped by unscrupulous contractors!!! You have a partial blockage (most likely leaves from the roof leader/gutter)downstream of the basement line. Call a Rotor Rooter type(or any drain cleaning outfit; there are many)and TELL THEM that you want a single line snaked. When they arrive, show them the line and simply tell them to snake it out. They will insert an electric snake into the line and it will clear it immediately. My guess is $100. tops.
Call a plumber
A roto rooter type person is probably what is needed unless the drain is crushed somewhere. I’d get it fixed before the next major rain though.