Washing machine draining but filling sink...?!

Squiggly_Diddly

Help - am not sure what the problem... My teenage daughter has just said the washing machine was leaking...!

It seems to be full of murky water (there were a couple of sheets that had been washed yesterday still sitting in there, but iI know it was empty when the wash had completed). So not sure if the water has gone into machine when we turn kitchen taps on - gotta see if that is the case or not.

I turned the dial to spin/drain it and the water is coming straight up into the half-bowl part of the sink (I have a 1 1/2 bowl sink). If i turn the machine off the water drains back down again....

I don't know what's going on....... Can anyone shed any light as to what could be the problem??

amarg

It sounds like the waste pipe is blocked.

You can fix this by putting a bowl beneath the waster trap on the sink and then undo the union nuts, they normally undo anti-clockwise. Check the pipe for blockages, then replace the nuts.

malamute

The waste pipe from the washing machine is ok its the main waste pipe to the drain thats blocked. Check the waste trap for any blockage and clear if any found if not disconnect the washing machine waste pipe and block/blank off, now get a plunger or one of those devices that blasts air down the pipe continue until water drains freely (if this does not work it may need rodding , or assistance from a plumber) from the sink now reconnect the washing machine waste pipe all should be ok.

HugoSP

I would give a good drain cleaner a go, like mr Muscle or similar. B&Q have a range of these.

If you need to rod it, you will be best off using what I call a worm. You can also get these in DIY shops, or here:

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=A234705&ts=03191&id=11325

This works by your turning it clockwise whilst feeding the wire into the end of the drain. The turning works the wire along and through potential blockages, then when you think you may be past the blockage, you gently pull the wire out, hopefully dislodging the blockage.

I have a similar tool and it has worked for me on many occasions

Squiggly_Diddly

Thank you all.... :-)

I had some drain cleaner stuff that is tiny little white balls (couple of capfuls into the sink for 10 mins then flush with hot water). I'd done the main sink last week, I don't really use the 1/2 bowl bit, but did that & it seems to have done the trick!!!!

Think maybe I will try & do that at the start of every month & have also asked daughters to make sure plates are well scraped off before putting into sink/DW. Think today I will find the thread about the vinegar/soda crystals for cleaning WM/DW.

I was having kittens when it happened, had visions of huge plumbing bills.... So thank you everyone, much appreciated.

Newgirl_2

The weekly trick is put a cup of bicarb down and a slosh of vinegar (perhaps a cup?) and leave for half an hour. It will bubble up. Then flush through.

If you do it often enough you perhaps don't need to use as much

Newgirl

Squiggly_Diddly

Ah, thank you for that Newgirl :-) Will get some in Mr T's later...