Stinky washing machine

TheBadgerCat

Hi,

Sorry in advance, this is long... please help!

I moved into my house a year ago, and have always had a horrible sulphur/eggy/drainy smell whenever the washing machine is on (even before draining).

I had a plumber check the pipe work when I had an outside tap installed as it was to be installed behind the washer, and he confirmed the washer was installed properly, the pipework is correct and it has a U-bend. Whilst the washer was out I poured drain cleaner down the waste pipe and let that sit for an hour or two until it went back in. I've since tried soda crystals in the washing machine on a 90deg wash, but the smell is still there!

I don't usually have any smells from sinks, but I did notice a faint smell when I pulled the plug out on the bath with my face close to the overflow. Which makes me think blocked drain?

The washing machine and kitchen sink and outside drainage flow to an outside drain by the back door, I do have debris on top which I scrape out every so often but it's not at all excessive and the drain is mostly free. I just had a peek inside the drain with a torch and there does appear to be standing water maybe 15-30cm below the grate. Is this normal? It does look a little lumpy so poured down a bottle of bleach and I'm planning on getting some caustic soda tomorrow.

I noticed the same smell from a neighbours drain a few weeks ago, so now I'm wondering if the blockage is further down the line. The house is terraced and at least 1911 (found in the census!), possibly older. The outside drain would have been installed as part of the extension maybe 10+ years ago? At what point does the issue stop being my cost, and fall onto the water board? I don't want to get someone out if they then tell me I have to pay x for a call out charge!

Is there any way I can know if this is a blockage in my drain or further down the pipes without sticking my hands down and rummaging around? And what should a normal outside drain look like? Watery or dry?

Thank you for getting to this point, any advice or tips would be much appreciated!!

TheBadgerCat

I should have also said, the washing machine was new when I moved in, so the issue isn't slime in the washing machine!

Wig

With U bends in the internal drains it is impossible for any smell from external drains to come into house, except through an open window.

External drains, no need for bleach, just pour your biggest pot or bucket of water straight in there.

If the external drain has a grate on the top and it takes surface water or a drainpipe or from a sink pipe...then yes it is normal to have some water in there...because it also has a u bend.

If the external drain is a sewer, you would have to remove the lid, and no, there should not be any standing water in there.

What you say makes no sense:

brand new washing machine
all internal drains have u bends
smell only appears when wash machine is used.
having done hot wash flush outs.

makes no sense.

Try a new washing machine. There could be a design flaw on the one you got, however, frequent use of wm/c would not allow water inside the machine to stagnate..

sevenhills

I had this, and it turned out that the out-flow pipe was too low compared to the u-bend, I also now try to keep my bowl in the sink cleaner. With the bowl in the sink 24/7, there tends to be a build up of gunk under the bowl, depends how you use the bowl.

Lorian

Expanding on what sevenhills says...

Does its waste pipe go in to a stand pipe, or is it plumbed into a combination waste under the sink?

If its plumbed into a combination waste make sure the flexible pipe from the washer heads right up to underneath the sink before falling downwards to join the combi waste. This will stop waste from the sink flowing in to the washer. Cable tie is often a good way to hold it up. the pipe needs to go up at leas 3-4 inches higher than the connector.

If you are not sure post a photo.

TheBadgerCat

Thanks for the quick replies!

@wig I'm confident it's not stagnant water, I remember the first wash producing the most disgusting smell. I was sure it had been installed wrong and was draining onto the floor or something!! If the issue is with the washing machine, what sort of faults could cause this? It isn't the smell of dirty water, it's most definitely a drain/sewage smell.

It sounds like the problem could be the same as yours @sevenhills. I'm having the plumber round to do my boiler service next week so will ask him if this could be the problem... with regards to the sink, it's one of these unnecessarily large sinks, practically a bath, so the washing up bowl is off to the side of the plug and not collecting too much gunk. I also use a sink strainer to prevent too much food and debris going down.

(I don't know how to directly reply to people, I assumed @?!)

TheBadgerCat

:eek:

From what I remember, the waste pipe from the washing machine is dropped down a vertical pipe probably about 30cm long. The waste pipe is loose (as in not connected or sealed), but goes the whole length down. I think this vertical pipe ends in a u-bend and connects with the sink waste somewhere along the line.

I had plumbers in the replace a boiler in the same spot and I know when I moved in the sink waste was leaking, so at least part of the sink waste has been replaced along with the boiler outflow. I assume any obviously bad plumbing has also been rectified as part of that as these guys are pretty reliable!

The washing machine is currently running so can't get a photo behind, but will try to get one of the sink plumbing if that affects things!

Lorian

Ok its in a stand pipe by the sounds of it - a picture of the drain pipes under the sink would be good to start with.

TheBadgerCat

Apparently as a new user I can't post links, however the addresses are added below if anyone has time to type them...

I don't know if these are any use, managed to reach into the cupboard but also very conscious of dropping my phone under the washing machine/cupboard unit!!

They grey corrugated pipe is the washing machine waste pipe. The white pipe connects to the sink and they both flow out together.

ibb dot co/mp9nSm
ibb dot co/gG0u7m
ibb dot co/c5EbL6

TheBadgerCat

Not sure if this is related, I've noticed the smell doesn't appear again once the dryer cycle starts. Either the smell disappears mid wash-cycle or I get used to it, but another wash immediately after will cause the smell to return. The smell is at its worst within the first 5-10 minutes of the washing machine starting. Thinking back I can't recall the dryer alone ever causing the smell.

The dryer feeds the waste water out into the waste pipe rather than condensing in a tub. (I assume that's standard of washer dryers.)

I'd doubt my own sanity as it really does sound counter logical, but partner has smelt the delightful scent too!!!

Lizabeth21

Don’t know about plumbing/pipes/drains but have had experience of smelly washers. What sort of programs do you use- a mixture of temperatures? Not always 30 degrees? What detergent ? Always liquid? Powder helps to keep drum clean. Is the machine built in or free standing? Do you leave the door open when not in use? The detergent drawer space can become mouldy and smelly very quickly in the damp warm environment. Have you checked the pumps filter?