Drain/Sewer Mystery for Plumbing Experts

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Hey, I have a pit drain in my cellar that was here when I purchased my house a couple years back and I’m trying to figure out what it is exactly.  My washing machine drains into a slop sink, which drains into it via that PVC pipe in photo.  I initially thought it was a drywell/french drain/whatever, but you can hear water rushing by the hole at the bottom when someone flushes the toilet. Vermin may be getting into my basement this way, so wondering if there is a way to put a one way valve on the hole there?  Also have concerns about sewer gas coming in… Any advice is most appreciated. Thanks

pickles

in Plumbers and Plumbing 13 years and 8 months ago

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hillel | 13 years and 8 months ago

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do not do that yourself. this is a hazardous potentially!!

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I’m not sure I’d bother digging up that concrete. There are lots of old traps out there with single hand holes and you won’t be making a connection at that point anyway. My advice to you is to consult with a local plumber

brucef | 13 years and 8 months ago

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If you do find openings that might be the top of a trap, the plugs come in standard diameters, 3-4″. The old style lead plugs are soft enough so you tap them in gently with a hammer.

brucef | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Pickles, I assumed the bottom of the pit was dirt, not cement. Normally we build a form in the shape of the box, then pour cement around the outside, but not in it. Dig out carefully, taking care not to crack a cast waste fitting. See if there is one or two openings, probably the top of a trap.

pickles | 13 years and 8 months ago

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I figured as much, but how do I fix it?  Should I call a sewer main type specialist?  What would you do with that pit, cap it?

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 8 months ago

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You’ve got the most jury-rigged washing machine drain on earth. It’s an illegal configuration and creating a highly-unsanitary condition. You need to fix that.

brucef | 13 years and 8 months ago

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Usually that pit was built to expose the two caps for your waste line trap. Carefully dig it out and see if you can uncover the trap. Both side should have a rubber expanding plug or lead-type tap in plug. Incompetemt installer may have left cap off to improperly drain washing machine, but that’s a whole other story.