Washing Machine - under sink disaster!

scottish_lassy

Hi
Every time I do a washing water overflows under my sink. This used to happen, then stopped, but has now started again - I have a washing up basin to catch the water (and it get full to the top!). It seems like the water can't get away fast (it comes up in to the sink as well) enough and therefore backs-up the pipe and overflows. The drain seems fine - what can I check myself before calling a plumber.

wallbash

If the washing machine shares the sink waste :eek:

Should always have a seperate waste pipe. Dishwashers CAN share .

If its worked in the past! First thought , you have a restriction in your waste . Easy if all the joints unscrew, just remove and inspect.
If they have been glued, perhaps a 'poke' with a coathanger might help.
good luck

scottish_lassy

A hose goes from the washing machine into a pipe under the sink which is joined to the sink waste. Is this wrong?

Vampgirl

We have that arrangement - washing machine waste pipe joins the sink waste just before the u-bend. I've never seen it set up like that before and to be honest I don't think its a great arrangement - sink waste water often finds its way back down the washing machine waste pipe and just sits in the drum. If it was my own place I'd re-plumb it all, but as we rent its not worth the hassle.

m_13

You can have a connection like you have and they are sold but the volume of water than is generated when the washing machine empties is often too much and it comes up into the sink.

You'd be better having a separate drain connection for the washing machine if at all possible. Currently it's going through the U bend of the sink which, as another poster says, may be blocked. However, be careful putting any unblocking chemicals down as they may find their way into the washing machine drain hose and damage it.

scottish_lassy

Ah, good points, I will investigate my daughter's set up and see what the difference is to mine.

Thanks everyone

wallbash

Normal method, the hose is ( the u shaped end) just placed into a upstanding pipe.

If you mean that the pipe is then connected to the 'pipe' FROM the waste .
Could be ok. I first thought you were sharing the sink waste.

A picture here could be worth a million words:j

Still, It must be a small blockage in your pipe, back to dismantling
BUT first a fish around with a wire coathanger:rotfl:

Cant see that doing any harm