Basement Drain Backing Up When Washing Clothes: (2023 Guide)

Basement drain backing up when washing clothes – Dealing with a basement drain that backs up when washing clothes can be a frustrating and unpleasant experience. Not only does it create a mess in your basement, but it can also cause damage to your property if left unchecked.

While there can be various causes for this issue, the most common ones include clogged drains, overloaded septic tanks, and blocked sewer lines. In this situation, it’s important to take action quickly to prevent further damage and fix the problem. This may involve calling a plumber, reducing water usage during laundry, or upgrading your washing machine.

In this article, we will discuss these causes and provide some practical solutions to help you resolve the problem of a basement drain backing up when washing clothes.

What to Do Immediately After Finding a Sewage Backup in Your Basement?

Finding a sewage backup in your basement can be a stressful and unpleasant experience, but it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage and health hazards.

Here are the immediate steps you should take after finding a sewage backup in your basement:

  1. Turn Off Electricity: The first thing you should do is turn off the electricity to your basement. This will prevent any electrical hazards and ensure your safety.
  2. Wear Protective Gear: Before entering the affected area, put on protective gear such as rubber gloves, boots, and goggles. Sewage contains harmful bacteria and viruses that can pose health risks.
  3. Stop Using Water: Stop using any water in your home, including flushing toilets, running faucets, and using the washing machine. This will prevent the backup from getting worse and spreading to other areas of your home.
  4. Call a Professional: Call a professional sewage cleanup company or a plumber who specializes in sewage backup cleanup. They will have the equipment and expertise to safely and effectively remove the sewage and disinfect the area.
  5. Document the Damage: Take photos or videos of the damage for insurance purposes. Contact your insurance company to see if sewage backup is covered under your policy.
  6. Ventilate the Area: Open windows and use fans to ventilate the area and reduce the smell of sewage.

Basement Drain Backing Up When Washing Clothes: Possible Causes

There are plenty of the things that will be the reason behind causing the basement drain to back up when washing clothes. It comes with the involvement of the source that is leading to this backup alongside the many interventions.

Blockage

This is one of the major causes of the basement drain backing up whenever you’re washing the clothes. Specifically, it happens so that it is caused due to the blocked drainpipe.

In certain cases, the blockage comes with small blockages that are requiring you to replace its own.

There may be another reason for the blockage that is pressure from the washing machine because of the head pressure as well as the resistance of the basement drain sucking the water back.

If you suspect that one of these might be the cause of the blockage, you can consider the drain bladder or the hose that can help you in clearing it up.

Plumbing Vent Pipe

The plumbing pipe that is attached to the roof is one of the major reasons causing the basement drain to back up whenever you’re washing the clothes since it finds a connection to the homes.

The clog or the blockage will be responsible for the causing of the overflow in the drain. Always make sure that there are no leaves or any other kind of source of blockage when it comes to maintaining the plumbing vent pipe.

Excess Water

This is not a popular fact, but it’s worth noting that too much of the water can be the reason behind backing up whenever your washing the clothes. The washing machine running 30 to 40 gallons of water every time that you are washing can cause issues.

In case the pipes are not in good shape or already worn out, then there may be serious chances of backup. Whenever this happens, you will have to consider the file check-up for the prevention of the problem.

Overloaded Septic Tank

If you have a septic tank, it may be overloaded and unable to handle the volume of water from your washing machine. This can cause the water to back up into your basement drain.

What Can Be the Reason Behind the Smell?

Whenever the basement drain is backing up, there is never any way to answer it. You will have to check for the overflow that is causing massive problems for the homeowner.

The smells may be due to the blockage that is being caused in the drain.

As soon as it is countering the bad smell, you will have to figure out the source problem. If there is debris trapped inside the drain, remember that the smell is coming from the basement laundry whenever the water is back flowing from the basement drain.

So What Is the Method for Fixing the Basement Drain Backing Up When Washing Clothes?

First of all, you will have to continue with the inspection of the drain with the flashlight to look for the blockages and then consider removing them with the help of the vacuum.

If you do not have the proper idea regarding the blockage, it’s worth noting about removing the cap from the cleanout plug located near the basement.

You can also consider the attachment of the cap to the dump water into the p trap that can be enough for not letting the sewer smell escape.

Pushing the snake through the cleanout club will be helping in working down the pipe until you are reaching the blockage. Always pay attention to removing the blockage and doing that with the help of pulling on it with the snake out of the drain.

The Issues Related To Too Much Water

At a point, the backup may become so serious that there is too much water in the area, and in certain circumstances, it happens that the basement backup leads to overflow.

Whenever the water is running because of the quantity of the water, it usually happens that the old plumbing isn’t capable of handling the rush of the water anymore, and so it is causing the overflow.

Whenever the pipes are becoming overwhelmed by a large amount of water, it will be causing the basement floor drain to backup or overflow.

The basement drains that have even the slightest blockage are the ones that will be susceptible to the high volume of water overloading. In case you notice such issues remove the block, and it can find the return to its normal state.

So How to Consider Stopping the Basement Floor Drain From Backing Up?

In case you would want the permanent fix, then here you will have to consider units like:

Water Check Valve

They are also the ones that come with the name knife and are usually installed on the basement floor. r, whenever it is closed no water, will be flowing into the toilet. At the same time, it will also be inhibiting the backflow.

This on the type of devices that are not easy to install but will also be working in inhibiting the backflow. So they are also well equipped with the plastic balls right on their tips that will be floating and acting in the form of barriers to the drain.

Other Backflow Valves

For the prevention of the backflow, you can get the different types of backflow valves that will also be working perfectly in the setup with plug valve, and plug pressure applied as well as threaded caps.

Besides these, you should always consider hiring a plumber occasionally who giving you the right idea regarding the blocked drainage. They will be giving you the right plan about the stoppage of the basement floor drain from backing up.

Usually, the replacement of the drain pipes can cost something around $2000, but you will always have to consider them necessary fixtures.

How to Consider Fixing the Clogged Plumbing Vent Pipe?

  • First of all, you will have to consider the removal of the top cap from the plumbing vent pipe right on the roof.
  • Pull the visible debris out for by with the help of your hand. Now lower the snake into the windpipe until it is reaching the blockage. Make sure to push the snake as hard as you can to break the blockage.
  • Once you feel that there is no more resistance, pay attention to the removal of the snake.
  • Now just pour or spray water down to the pipe, and then you will have to look back inside of it with the help of the flashlight.
  • When you see that there is no more block list in, you can rest assured that it is completely cleaned, and you will have to just put the cap back on the vent pipe and just carefully climb off to the roof.

What Is the Associated Cost With Unclogging the Basement Drain?

The cost to unclog a basement drain can vary depending on several factors, such as the location and severity of the clog, the experience and expertise of the plumber, and the method used to clear the clog. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for a professional plumber to unclog a basement drain.

For simple clogs, such as those caused by hair, grease, or soap scum, a plumber may use a plunger or drain snake, which typically cost around $10 to $50. However, for more severe clogs or those located deep within the plumbing system, a plumber may need to use specialized equipment, such as a hydro jetting machine or a sewer camera, which can increase the cost.

In addition to the cost of the plumbing services, you may also need to pay for any necessary parts or materials, such as replacement pipes or fittings. If the clog is caused by a more serious issue, such as a collapsed pipe or tree roots, you may need to pay for more extensive repairs, which can significantly increase the cost.

It’s always a good idea to get a written estimate from a plumber before they begin any work, so you can have a clear understanding of the total cost and avoid any surprises. Additionally, be sure to ask if there are any warranties or guarantees offered on the work performed, in case the clog returns or other issues arise in the future.

Conclusion

Basement backing up some seems harmless initially, but you never know when the small leak will lead to the circumstantial overflow.

As soon as your spot in the water that flows by the drain, you should start with inspecting the basement to find the reason behind the clog.

In case you do not have the right idea, you can hire the professionals who will be given the close examination for the same.

Home Base Project Team
Home Base Project Team
At The Home Base Project, we offer practical, real-life tips and inspiration about DIY, decorating and gardening. The Home Base Project provide the best information about home renovation and design, connecting home design enthusiasts and home professionals across the world.