plumbing problem

redman88

okay i have some strange plumbing for my kitchen and laundry room. I have been using the washing machine for over a month now and it has just started to back up into the kitchen sink. any ideas how i can fix it.




the elbow in the corner comes from the laundry.





the black pipe might be an old waste line, but i don't know since the house came with washer and it was hooked up to the white pvc. there is a vent pipe on the roof but it come out above where a cabinet is.

joecaption

Can start by removing the caps and running a snake down the drains and down the open drain for the washer.

redman88

hmmm guess i could go find my snake. and see if i get anything. but i am still confused about the contraption of plumbing behind the washer.

dougp23

That is a strange looking bit of plumbing behind the washer. I hope the washer drain line is vented.

Someone who knows much more than me will weigh in soon. I wonder why your pipes go outside like that?

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redman88

i think that strange bit of plumbing is some kind of vent.

TheEplumber

IMO it's an attempt at an island/loop vent. You could improve it by removing the plug and installing a studor vent in it's place.
In the mean time- cable the outside line. Sounds like you have a blockage downstream of the sink tie in.

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redman88

well i will have to get a new snake the one i have is for toilets.

redman88

so a studor vent would be a good solution till i can get to remodeling that part of the house and installing a proper vent through the roof?

TheEplumber

I think so. But if the washing machine is draining fine(without the blockage) then it may not help much.

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redman88

i hear it gurgling in the kitchen sink when it is draining.

TheEplumber

I think your first move is to cable the line as far as you can using a 3/8 cable. After the line drains well without backing up to the sink- you can pull the clean out plug at the top of the loop and run a rinse cycle- see if that cures the gurgle. If so, stick a studor on it

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jagans

Wow! I guess his other job was maker of French Horns.

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redman88

huh? i am lost.

profcolli

LOL, the french horn tubing is bent around like your plumbing

I hope your power outlet next to the laundry drain is on a GFCI circuit that close to the washer - hard to tell from the picture.

redman88

it it'self is not, but i think its off one of the ones in the kitchen. the electrical in the house needs lots more work. hence why i am planing on remodeling that room and most the rest.