Washing machine waste overflowing under sink.

anotherquestion

Hi folks, 

I got a new washing machine but just noticed today that the vertical standpipe waste under the sink that the washing machine waste is fed into was overflowing, I messed around with this, putting the machine waste pipe further down or further up in the sink waste pipe, did a short trial wash and it seems to be working ok now (now testing it with a longer wash cycle)

I think I read somewhere that the length of the machine waste pipe that is fed into the sink waste can make a difference, is this correct?
I did try pushing one of those metal snake drain cleaners in sink waste as well, but don't know if that helped in case of blockage.. The sink waste takes both the washing machine and dishwasher, and is separate from the tap hot and cold waste.

Any tips appreciated.
Many thanks.

tacpot12

Really the length of the washing machine waste pipe that is fed into the standpipe shouldn't make a difference, the weight of the water should ensure that it flows out of the standpipe easily regardless of where the pipe is positioned.  Normally the washing machine waste pipe would have a peice of plastic attached that bends the pipe into a U-shape that hooks over the standpipe. If you use this peice of plastic, only a short section of the pipe would be inserted into the standpipe. Only if this peice of plastic is missing can it be necessary to insert more the waste pipe down into the  standpipe. 

I suspect that you pushing the machine waste pipe in, and using the snake,  cleared some blockage which is why it is now working. Although having the standpipe overflow is unpleasant, the alternative is that you have a connection from the washing machine to the sink waste that doesn't have an air-gap. The result of a blockage then is that water back up into the washing machine, which is nearly as unpleasant.  

anotherquestion

Thanks yet again, Well still have a continuing problem with  the two inch diameter waste standpipe under sink that machine waste is pushed into, Previously I had used a snake to make sure that nothing is blocked and it seems totally clear. Machine has been fine for a number of washes, put on wash today went out and when I came back water was on floor, was also wet under sink.

I take it that the the standpipe overflowed yet again. As stated before the machine waste pipe is of a thinner diameter and is just pushed into the vertical standpipe not screwed on. We just used the old machine waste from old machine and don't need to use the plastic U bend thingy.

Used the snake again, seems totally clear.

Anyway I rang Hotpoint service as machine is only a few weeks old. They told me that if engineer comes out and its a problem with waste and not machine they will charge £60, so didn't book that.

They also told me that the waste from the machine needs to be screwed on to the standpipe (not simply pushed in) and that the machine pump uses differed pressure when pumping out the water, depending on the size of the load.

They also remarked that just because it worked ok with older machines doesn't mean that it will work ok with the newer machines due to different spec changes.

Does the above make sense what they said? and any further advice appreciated.
Many thanks.

Ref44

My starting point would be the manual for the new machine. Look for the section on the waste pipe and requirements for the drain. Haven't bought a new machine recently, but equally haven't heard about a new design for waste outlets.

NSG666

Get these and connect them to the top of the pipe you are pushing your washing machine hose down. If the kitchen sink uses the same pipework as the washing machine, depending on how it's connected it's possible that food waste is getting into the washing machine trap and blocking it.

McAlpine Straight Nozzle (toolstation.com)

McAlpine Straight Connector 1 1/2" (toolstation.com)

Hose Clip 22-32mm (1A) (toolstation.com)

alternatively, depending on your sink waste arrangement, use one of these connected to the sink.

If stuck post a photo.

McAlpine WM2 Washing Machine Trap 75mm 1 1/2" (toolstation.com)

anotherquestion

Thanks for replies, well the standpipe is separate from the the main tap waste pipe, but there is an offshoot from the standpipe about 8 inches from top that also takes the waste from the dishwasher..

But haven't had both on at same times, so its definitely washing machine problem.

This has me mystified at the moment, the thought has crossed my mind, might it be a faulty washing machine pump that is somehow pumping out too much water, and overwhelming the standpipe waste?

Further update,

I have just looked at the new waste pipe that came with the machine, and it is a far narrower diameter than the old waste that was used and was fitted to the machine. So I think that if I get someone to fit this new waste it will restrict the amount of water leaving the machine at any given time, does this make sense?

NSG666

That is strange, every washing machine I've moved or fitted had the outlet hose already attached so why someone would chang it or use a different one is odd.

Anyway, given the standpipe takes two appliances you could use the following instead of what I suggested.

Any of the suggestions fitted correctly will create a sealed outlet and not allow water to go anywhere but down the drain.

McAlpine Twin Hose Connector 40mm | Traps | Screwfix.com

anotherquestion

Thanks a lot yet again for all the help, since I am getting an appliance repairer out to pull out the washing machine and attach the waste that actually came with it, do you think these repair men deal on a daily basis with fitting the above McAlpine parts , or is that really a separate job for a plumber?

It might probably work just putting the machine outlet inside the standpipe with the mcAlpine parts but to be honest I have really had it with water these past few weeks, so would like a tight water seal as well, in other words get it done right this time.

 

NSG666

The parts won't be difficult to fit but whether the appliance guy will fit them or not I don't know.

Not sure what you are considering buying but if you get one of these too you can always take back what he doesn't need

McAlpine Multi Fit 90° Bend 1 1/2" (toolstation.com)

Bendy_House

What Hotpoint told you is essentially correct, or certainly could be.

The waste doesn't - or shouldn't - need to be screwed in to the waste pipe, (I think they mean the hose is pushed on to a spigot and secured with a clip), but that is the most common method these days. If this machine does pump at a faster rate, then the existing vertical pipe could well fill up and overflow before it flows away properly. This likelihood of this happening also depends on the path of the waste pipe after the vertical bit and U bend. And, yes, just because the old machine worked fine, doesn't mean the new one will.

I would also agree that how far you position the hose down that vertical pipe can affect an 'on-the-edge' waste draining performance, and can make the difference between draining ok and overflowing. When the hose outlet is sat high in the pipe, the water gushes out and starts to fill the vertical pipe before the U bend, and then it drains away around the bend under gravity. This sometimes might not be enough if the waste's performance is compromised - eg by the subsequent waste pipe run being longish, or near-horizontal, or have a few bends in it. So, if instead you position the nozzle further down towards the U-bend, the force of the exiting water directly helps to drive the water right around the U bend and away.

Clearly you need to address this issue, as it's not reliable and wet floors are not funny. Perhaps modifying the existing pipe to provide a spigot attachment might be the best way, but really we could do with a photo to show what you've got.

I don't understand what you mean about 'the new waste pipe is a narrower diameter than the old waste pipe. Do you mean 'hoses'? And this 'old waste pipe' was presumably on an old machine, and not on this same new one?

Bendy_House

anotherquestion said:

Thanks a lot yet again for all the help, since I am getting an appliance repairer out to pull out the washing machine and attach the waste that actually came with it, do you think these repair men deal on a daily basis with fitting the above McAlpine parts , or is that really a separate job for a plumber?

It might probably work just putting the machine outlet inside the standpipe with the mcAlpine parts but to be honest I have really had it with water these past few weeks, so would like a tight water seal as well, in other words get it done right this time.

 

Please explain these 'wastes'. Was the hose changed?

Anyway, I don't think an appliance fellow is going to be making changes to your house's plumbing, unless it happens to be something really obvious. I doubt they carry plumbing parts with them, only WM spares.