washing machine water backs up into sink - HELP!

Pinto2013

Hi,

the waste water from the washing machine is coming up through the sink!. This doesn't happen with the dishwasher (also linked to the waste under the sink).

We have done two lots of heavy duty pipe cleaner. Ordinary water from sink runs away fine.

Any diy advice please. As retired we do have time (and a good leylands nearby if needed) but are a bit short on cash for plumbers.

Thanks
PS I run the machine empty on a hot wash about every 6 - 8 weeks and check filter about the same.

Avoriaz

Is this a new problem or have you changed the washing machine or anything else? If the former than it is likely that there is a partial blockage somewhere in the drainage pipes.

A sink drains relatively slowly under gravity only whereas a washing machine (and dishwasher) pumps the waste water out at a faster flow rate so you may have a partial blockage that isn't noticeable with sink water.

Perhaps your dishwasher uses a lot less water and pumps the waste out more slowly than the washing machine so the partial blockage doesn't noticeably affect it either.

Can you easily get at the drainage pipes and traps, dismantle them and check for a blockage?

Can you access the drain outside the property? Remove the drain cover and see if the drainage flow rate is what you would expect with a sink full of water. If the water runs slowly through the drain and continues for some time after the sink empties, than that does suggest a partial blockage somewhere.

Have you tried the old fashioned but often effective rubber plunger method?

Cyberman60

I had a similar problem with water backing up. It turned out to be a neighbour about three houses down had planted a tree next to the sewage pipe in his garden and the roots had grown into the pipe, blocking it and flooding another neighbour's garden with sewage!!!! :eek:

Pinto2013

Thanks for that!

It is quite new (ie a couple of weeks)

I'll run all the checks you suggest. We have tried the plunger but not the other checks for partial blockage......

Rubber gloves time!

Pinto2013

Cyberman60 wrote: »

I had a similar problem with water backing up. It turned out to be a neighbour about three houses down had planted a tree next to the sewage pipe in his garden and the roots had grown into the pipe, blocking it and flooding another neighbour's garden with sewage!!!! :eek:

Aaaargh! Mine ain't that bad but I hadn't thought about a problem from that far away.......