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Plumbing question? I live on the ground floor. Everytime the washing machine spins out the water......?

it backs up into my shower. can i do anything for it, or do i need a plumber. does anyone know what is causing this. TY

Public Comments

  1. there should be a check valve between the drain line on your shower and the one for the washing machine. this does sound weird though, have you tried to snake out the lines (both) there may be a blockage which causes the washing machie drain line to fill up and not drain or flow properly.
  2. If it has recently started doing this, you have a drain blockage. Things to try yourself before calling the plumber.. run very hot water into both the machine drainage and the shower at the same time. Try a plunger, try draino, if nogo call plumbo... cheers.
  3. You can try products like Drain-o or Liquid plumber or give the shower a good plunging next time it happens (don't forget to plug the drain for the washer before plunging) but your problem is probably a bunch of lint fabric that has came from the washer and in most cases that needs to be snaked out.
  4. You have a blocked (or partially blocked) drain line - it's backing up into the shower because that's the lowest point where the water can escape the drain. It sounds like you live in an apartment? This could be potentially dangerous - if the blockage is in a main line (a drain line common to other units) you may get more than just laundry water backing into your drain. A plumber can snake the drain to remove the blockage - expect $100 minimum for the cost. I rented a power snake from Home Depot to open up a sewer line in my house once - it was a nasty job and I still paid $65 for the rental.
  5. i see alot of answers saying its a clogged drain line.... a long shot would be a clogged vent line. that would cause it to back up also.. anyone else having problems upstairs? or it could be a clogged drain line.
  6. Buy 2 bottles Professional Strength Liquid Plumber, pour one down the shower and one into the washer drain; go to sleep, if it's not improved in the morning, call a Drain Cleaner [not a plumber], if it improves, rinse and repeat.