bubbles from washing machine drain pipe

I have never had this happen before so not quite sure where to start. Within the last three weeks, every time I do a load of laundry bubbles back up from the washing machine drain pipe. I have not changed detergents or the amount I use and my washing machine is not new (getting close to 10 yrs old but still working great!). We live in a TH in SW.

Any help, ideas, or (worse-case scenerio[xx(]) suggestions for a plumber would be appreciated.

 

You may have a blockage at the main drain pipe that is causing this to occur.

Some amateur advice: A few things you can do, rent your self a 'rotorooter' type machine from Home Depot and run it down the pipe for about 10 yards to clean out whatever is there; or you can call local plumber to do it for you.

That should clean out the blockage.

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Another quick try...pour a full tea kettle of boiling water down the pipe first (be careful)....

That might help dislodge something...sounds like the drain is running slow...

(I assume you did NOT just install a water softener).



Dawne

 

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have not installed a water softner -- all is the same. Only "change" had been that the VM team had been out flushing the pipes on our street. I have a call in to VM to find out if what they did could have caused this blockage.

Again thanks for the ideas --