My Basement Washer Pipe Is Clogged

Signs

• When your clothes washer has a clogged drain pipe, your first warning will be how long it takes the unit to drain water when you run a load of clothes. When the clog first appears, you might hear the unit working harder to drain clothing. As the blockage gets worse, the water takes longer and longer to drain out. In a worst-case scenario, you will need to bail water out of the inside of the washer.

Causes

• The clog in the drain pipe could be caused by lint or soap. When your washing machine drains, bits of lint and soap go with the water. Over time, the soap can build up on the walls of the drainpipe. Lint sticks to the soap, narrowing the pipe until it closes. A basement washer could also act clogged because of a problem outside your home. Tree roots growing into the pipes that connect your home to the sewer system can make water back up into your home’s drains. Your basement washing machine will be one of the first things affected in your home.

Solutions

• If the problem is soap and lint buildup inside the pipes, run an empty load through your washer with just hot water. If that doesn’t melt away the problem, purchase a drain cleaner at a home improvement store. Look for a formulation designed to deal with soap and detergent buildup. If the issue is tree roots breaking into your sewer lines, contact a professional. She can use tools like in-pipe cameras to locate the problem area and replace the damaged pipes. You might need to cut down the problem tree if its root growth is extensive.

Considerations

• Prevent lint and soap from building up inside your washer pipe by installing a lint trap on the end of your washer’s discharge hose. Lint will be caught inside it instead of flowing into the pipes. Clean it out every month or so.