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Author:
missusem (CT)
My home was built in 1984 and has septic. The washing machine has always been in the basement and pumps up 8 feet to the main drain. We lived here 3 years without problem with this arrangement when our front load washer stopped consistently draining completely. (Some loads were successful, others were not.) We had the pump replaced but still had the same problem. We bought a top load thinking the front load may be the problem, but this washer does the same thing.
We've had the septic pumped, opened the main drain (it was clear) and water does not back up anywhere else in the house. Yes I checked the washer hose, it's clear too.
I know this is pumping really high but way would this suddenly stop working? Yes, when I put the hose in a trash can it drains perfectly.
Why did set-up work for decades then stop? Is there a fix without instituting a whole new system?
Thanks!!!!!!
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Author:
RWP (SD)
You answered your own question. The automatic washing machines are not made to pump that high, period. Anything you do other than install a waste water pump that will pump that high is a waste of your time and money.
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Retired after 50 years of plumbing and heating.
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Author:
missusem (CT)
So why did the front load washer pump for 3 years without a problem? Then suddenly stop?
I completely understand that this is a ridiculous height to pump up but why wasn't it ridiculous for the first 30 years?
Truth is, I'm really unhappy about having to shell out a ton of dough to fix this problem that wasnt a problem 3 years ago.
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Author:
chadschloss78 (MI)
yes they are made to pump that high. i had the same setup in my basement for 5 years with no problem. the manual even stated that it would pump that high. now you may have a problem with the front loaders because they discharge so much water so fast, and i can bet your standpipe is about 18" or so. is your drain line 1.5" or 2" ? one thing that could have went bad other than the pump is a check valve inside the washer. it is a one-way valve. you can replace that, or you can even add one in line on your washer's discharge hose.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
jimmy-o (CA)
You mention that water isn't "backing up anywhere else"..... so is the problem that it won't pump out, or that the drain is backing up????
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Author:
hj
I assume the hose is just "hooked" into the "P" trap's riser, in which case the problem CANNOT be in the drain system. More than likely the water you see is what drains out of the 8' high hose, and if so, and the washer does not have a "check valve" in the drain line, which few do, it will ALWAYS happen. A front load uses so much less water compared to a top load, that making that switch would have been counterproductive, if it were a drain line issue.
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
I always thought if you discharge a washer to an overhead drain, that a check valve SHOULD always be installed in the riser to the drain. If you have one (if it's PVC it may be solvent welded in and look like a big bullet) It may be clogged or failing. It's either not opening up all the way, or not closing fast enough and allowing drain water to run back downhill a bit.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
mr leak (CA)
Why would you need or want a check valve in the drain when the washing machine discharge hose stuffed into the drain line by itself has created an air gapas it is certainly not an air tight connection??A check valve would do nothing.
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Author:
Fixitangel (NC)
The washer pumps out from the bottom of the machine. When the house drain pipe is overhead, the washer has to pump water uphill. That means there is a standing column of water 8 feet high in the riser pipe the instant the pump shuts off. If it backflows into the washer, it can make spun-dry clothes soggy again.
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