Washing machine drainage seems wrong

Rexxel

Hello!

Last year, we converted our outhouse into a utility room. The builders fed the washing machine waste into a drain which they installed and it looks a bit like this:



The utility sink is also connected to this.

When using the washer, the water/suds overflow from the drain and spill out onto the surrounding flags.

Does anyone know what we should do about this?

I've lifted the grate covers and removed any silt that had built up after the building work and i've noticed the water drains into a hole about 1.5cm wide at the base of the drain.

the utility is attached to our kitchen and the kitchen/bathroom drainage is around the corner and about 4 metres down the wall from the washing machine waste pipe.

I'd appreciate any advice. We're in the process of doing up the yard but this problem is holding us up. If it's relevant, we're planning to lift the flags as part of the work as we are replacing them with sleepers and slate.

Thank you

Alfrescodave

A pic of the drain beneath the grate cover would help.
My "guess" is that this is just a soak away drain and not connected to any proper sewage system therefore the water drain away speed is determined by the size of the drain hole and condition of soak away. When the washer pumps out the water the flow is too great for the drain pipe.
Is it possible to drill some larger holes and /or clean soak away.?

returnofghandi

A washing machine definitely should not drain into a soak away! It should go into a foul water drain. Do not drill larger holes! You need to confirm if the drainage channel connects to a foul water drain.



It could be possible that they (potential cowboys) 'adapted' a foul drain with the 'drainage channel' so it takes the surface water from your paving slabs and foul water (washing machine, sink, etc).



From what you've written, it sounds more likely that this is just a soak away and you need to connect the utility foul water outlet(s) to the kitchen/bathroom waste 4 metres away.

FreeBear

returnofghandi wrote: »

A washing machine definitely should not drain into a soak away! It should go into a foul water drain.

From - https://www.planningportal.co.uk/info/200130/common_projects/15/drains_and_sewers/2

Foul drainage carries the used water from toilets, sinks, basins, baths, showers, bidets, dishwashers and washing machines. The above-ground pipework is referred to as sanitary pipework; the underground pipework is referred to as foul drains and foul sewers.

If the existing drainage is in to a soakaway, it is not compliant with current building regulations. Should the local council find out, they could take legal action against the home owner and/or make it difficult to sell the property in the future. Note - Any underground connections to an existing foul sewer will need building control approval. Do not use another cowboy builder for this type of work.

robatwork

Sounds very wrong and I'm sure you realise that.

https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/dont-misconnect-your-washing-machine-or-dishwasher-to-the-plumbing/