Washing machine drain pipe overflowing

[Tim r l]

When my clothes washing machine was draining the water from the tub into the drain pipe, the water immediately started overflowing onto the floor.
I tried to check for a clog using a drain snake, and the snake went down easily with no resistance to about a foot under the level of the floor where it suddenly stopped. I figured that that was probably where the building’s main line was—it is a unit in a condo building and the washing machine is on the bottom floor.
I tried pouring boiling water along with baking soda and white vinegar, to see if that would help. But when I tried draining the washing machine again, it immediately overflowed again.
I called management and they sent a plumber to snake the main line from outside the building because our building has had problems before from this line getting clogged.
But when I looked down into the drain pipe, I could see standing water about a foot down—the drain pipe is about three feet tall in my unit. I checked again with my drain snake for any clog, and there still was no resistance all the way down to a foot under the floor.
So I am confused as to what could be the problem. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I cannot afford a plumbing bill right now.
Thanks.

 

[Geofd]

When my clothes washing machine was draining the water from the tub into the drain pipe, the water immediately started overflowing onto the floor.
I tried to check for a clog using a drain snake, and the snake went down easily with no resistance to about a foot under the level of the floor where it suddenly stopped. I figured that that was probably where the building’s main line was—it is a unit in a condo building and the washing machine is on the bottom floor.
I tried pouring boiling water along with baking soda and white vinegar, to see if that would help. But when I tried draining the washing machine again, it immediately overflowed again.
I called management and they sent a plumber to snake the main line from outside the building because our building has had problems before from this line getting clogged.
But when I looked down into the drain pipe, I could see standing water about a foot down—the drain pipe is about three feet tall in my unit. I checked again with my drain snake for any clog, and there still was no resistance all the way down to a foot under the floor.
So I am confused as to what could be the problem. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as I cannot afford a plumbing bill right now.
Thanks.

You need to go as far as you can a foot or 2 is not far enough min 25'

 

[Jeff Handy]

The standing water is probably just the water that is always contained in the trap, at the bottom of the standpipe.
But it could also be water trapped behind a clog.

Your snake is probably getting caught at a fitting, or an elbow, or it is caught on a big clog in the drain line.

Snaking is an art form, keep trying to get it all in.
You might have a cheapo snake that is too flexible, or just junky.
Try snaking in the opposite rotation if it won’t advance.

Probably time to hire a pro to snake down the standpipe.
There also might be a cleanout fitting near there, which might give better snaking access.

 

[Tim r l]

The standing water is probably just the water that is always contained in the trap, at the bottom of the standpipe.
But it could also be water trapped behind a clog.

Your snake is probably getting caught at a fitting, or an elbow, or it is caught on a big clog in the drain line.

Snaking is an art form, keep trying to get it all in.
You might have a cheapo snake that is too flexible, or just junky.
Try snaking in the opposite rotation if it won’t advance.

Probably time to hire a pro to snake down the standpipe.
There also might be a cleanout fitting near there, which might give better snaking access.

Thanks,
I didn’t know that there was normally water in the drain pipe. It makes me nervous to try the washing machine because the last time I tried—which was before the management sent someone to snake through the main line under the building—it quickly overflowed and the washing machine wouldn’t let me turn it off or even lift the lid. I had to stick the end of the drain hose into a trash can real fast to catch the water until it finished.
So then, I guess you are saying that, normally, the pressure from the draining water through the hose and drain pipe is enough to push the standing water down through the trap? Whereas simply pouring hot water or some type of draino would only raise the sitting water level within the standing pipe?

Before trying the machine again, I will buy a better drain snake and see if I can get past the trap and/or elbow—which I assume is the turn into the main drain line.
Are there any common suggestions for testing that the drain is clear without having the risk of the machine dumping a whole tub of water through the hose?
If I were able to push through the trap with a stronger snake, would I expect the standing water in the standing pipe to drain down—if there is no blockage further down into the main line?

Thanks again,
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[Jeff Handy]

The blue in this pic indicates where water is sitting in the trap.
If there is no clog nearby, then you should be able to pour unlimited water down the vertical standpipe, and it will push water out and take the place of the older water.
The standing water you see down there should almost immediately drop to the same old level.

If you pour in water and eventually it begins to rise in the vertical standpipe, there is a clog or a partial clog in the drain somewhere, after the trap.

The pipe going up is a vent that lets air in, and sewer gases out to the roof.

The standing water should never go away, but sometimes will get partially sucked out if there is a partial clog in the drain line after it
The clog can act like a vacuum, and suck out the water.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Pulling the plug on the washer should stop water coming out of the drain hose, it is pushed out by an electric pump motor.

 

[Jeff Handy]

Don’t pour in any Drano, it can back up and ruin your floor or corrode the washer, or get in your eyes or wherever.

 

[Tim r l]

The blue in this pic indicates where water is sitting in the trap.
If there is no clog nearby, then you should be able to pour unlimited water down the vertical standpipe, and it will push water out and take the place of the older water.
The standing water you see down there should almost immediately drop to the same old level.

The pipe going up is a vent that lets air in, and sewer gases out to the roof.

The standing water should never go away, but sometimes will get partially sucked out if there is a partial clog in the drain line after it
The clog can act like a pump, and suck out the water View attachment 26059

Thanks.
My standing pipe is about three feet high and goes straight down to the floor. There are two places along the way where an ‘arm’ pipe goes out at an upward angle—one goes to the a/c unit, and the other goes to the hot heater.
So, if there is a turning place along the pipe, it would have to be under the floor.
I have noticed the level go down a little overnight, but very slowly.

Thanks again.

 

[Jeff Handy]

The drain snake can get stuck where it meets that next vertical pipe, which is joined by a tee fitting.
Try twisting the snake counter clockwise for awhile, it sometimes helps it crawl along a stubborn spot.

Always crank steadily while advancing slowly, the snake has to chew up junk in its path.

The next spot where the snake will want to stop is where that second vertical pipe hits an elbow, then turns into a horizontal drain line.
Same tricks apply there.
Rotate constantly, advance slowly, try both rotation directions, if it stops just crank for awhile, you might be digging through a clog.

Snaking takes practice and a good feel for what is happening.

If you can’t succeed, hire it out.

 

[Jeff Handy]

If you do add water to the standpipe and it stays at a higher level, then if you are snaking and suddenly it drops, you know you just cleared a clog.

 

[Jeff Handy]

“I have noticed the level go down a little overnight, but very slowly.”

Then you definitely do have a clog.