Washer/dryer headaches

My roommates and I recently procured a washer and a dryer so that we wouldn't have to go to the laundromat. Perfect. Unfortunately, our old rickety house can't handle the water flow out of the washer, and as a result, we get water shooting out of the drain pipe when the the washer is pumping out the water. Since this is a rental, I am not above duct taping the two together. However, I'll spend a few bucks if it means that the solution works. What is the best combination of low headache and low cost?

Run the hose out the window

Stick a shop vac on the drain line for the washer and set it to blow down.

Or, you can call the landlord and tell him to fix the crappy pipes so that the washer works. Since it is a rental, it shouldn't be your problem.

is there a toilet or sink nearby? you could drain into either of those. does your landlord pay water? if so i wouldnt tell/bother him about the washer.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Run the hose out the window

It has crossed my mind.

I'll probably call the landlord, though. The management company has been pretty good about fixing problems so far.

We have the same problem and really don't want to hassle the really patient landlord about it. Made up a drain hose and run it out the laundry room door. End of problem. Since we intend to move out of the ghetto around the first of the year, not going to worry about it.

one house we lived in the washer drain was clogged... when the plumber came he pulled out an old GI joe action figure lol...... worked fine after that

A plunger fixes many a restricted drain line.

A hand auger fixes many more restricted drain lines.

Is it a restricted pipe or is it not properly vented? My washing machine has a check valve right where the hose exits the machine to prevent or cause siphon. You can hear it cycle as the machine changes gears. There's no power to it or anything, just a plastic part.

I had Techs back three times because it wasn't draining, finally the third guy shakes his head and laughs at the other two for not figuring it out.

Dan

i've never seen a washer that didn't discharge into the utility sink....

Mine discharges directly into the sewer line through a trap.

Get one of those 30 gallon trash cans (barrel, container, whatever) and have the washer pump the water into it. put an outlet to the drain that is small enough (or adjustable like a spigot) to dispense the water at a rate the drain can handle.

Just a buffer, but might work.

Bruce

AngryCorvair wrote: i've never seen a washer that didn't discharge into the utility sink....

Don't have one of those, unfortunately.

Here is the list of problems:

• The drain pipe is probably too narrow in diameter (this house is 80 years old, who knows when the washer/dryer fittings were added on).

• There is probably blockage somewhere along the line. It has been a rental for years in a side of town that was only recently gentrified, which makes me think neglect along every step of the way.

• The drain pipe does not appear to vent at any stage.

• The Aforementioned lack of utility sink.

I will call the property management company, and see if they would prefer to fix it the right way, whatever way that may be. Otherwise, we will search in our bag of cheap tricks.

Be careful if you decide to get fiesty and snake the drain. Especially if you are in a house with a crawl space. It is really easy to drive the snake right through the bottom of the trap in crusty old pipes.