

IowaCowboy

Supermarket Hero

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join:2010-10-16

Springfield, MA ARRIS SB6183

Netgear R8000

1 recommendation IowaCowboy Premium Member [Appliances] Sewer backup into washing machine (Disclaimer I own the washer and dryer) the sink that the washer drains into backed up after we had issues with the main sewer line. Landlord had sewer line cleared today.



The sink rose to the level that it reached the bottom of the washer discharge hose and the washer did not drain completely. Now that we have it drained out and the sink cleared what is the best way to sanitize the washer. Front load high efficiency.



Should I just pour some bleach in it and run the clean washer cycle.

doechsli

join:2003-11-26

Louisville, KY 3 recommendations doechsli Member I would think a hot water run or two with bleach should so the trick....



pende_tim

Premium Member

join:2004-01-04

Andover, NJ pende_tim Premium Member Definitely a couple of cycles as most washers do not completely empty all the water. You need to flush that residual water water several times.



My LG has a lint sump that holds about a quart of water and I would assume most others have the same.



bewhole

I Am Here

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join:2000-08-08

East Waterboro, ME 2 recommendations bewhole to IowaCowboy

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»www.walmart.com/ip/Affre ··· ena=true If you have a HE washer then it should have a cleaning cycle on the settings so this should help. Just run a couple of cycles with them.



ropeguru

Premium Member

join:2001-01-25

Mechanicsville, VA 9 recommendations ropeguru to IowaCowboy

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Given how "most" washer drains are plumbed, I for the life of me cannot for the life of me see how anything backflowed into the washer from the sewer backup in the sink.



If your worry is just that the running wash cycle did not empty all the way, just run a cleaning cycle and you should be fine as the water is no worse than what came out of the clothes.

tullnd

join:2015-11-20 390.1 22.4

tullnd to IowaCowboy

Member to IowaCowboy

Usually I think cleaning them calls for white vinegar and sometimes some baking soda on a follow up cycle. You'd probably have to do some wipe downs after the baking soda.



I've cleaned mine before with white vinegar. I usually run the cleaning cycle on my washer, then a full hot cycle, then another regular one, just to make sure it's totally rinsed clean. I'd say that's normally overkill, but in your situation, may be worth it.

Liberty

Premium Member

join:2005-06-12

Arizona ·Cox HSI

4 recommendations Liberty to IowaCowboy

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I am with ropeguru, can not comprehend how water could back up into washer



If my sewer backed up it would be all over my floor

In a one story house in every house I have been in, has the washing machine dump into a drain higher elevation than every other drain in the house & isn't sealed to allow back flow



garys_2k

Premium Member

join:2004-05-07

Farmington, MI 1 edit 5 recommendations garys_2k Premium Member I can picture it.



Say the washer drain was the usual hose with a U-shaped rigid spout that hooks over the side of the sink. When the washer extracts/drains the sink fills with water up to and covering the outlet of the washer hose's U spout. OR the sink fills from both the extraction and a drain backup of raw sewage at the same time.



In either case the washer stops its drain cycle (pump shuts off) and the water still in the hose flows back to the machine. That starts siphoning the sink water until it's again below the level of the hoe's U spout's opening in the sink.



If some of the water in the sink when the washer's extraction cycle ended was contaminated with sewage that would be siphoned into the machine.



mattmag



join:2000-04-09

NW Illinois 6 recommendations mattmag said by garys_2k: I can picture it.



The wash basin would have had to completely overflow and them some to get the water up high enough into the hose bend to completely fill the bend to generate a siphon. Any amount of air would break the siphon, which is the whole idea of the bend to begin with. So the height of the bend above the edge of the wash basin would be at least 1 inch.



I don't believe you would have solid water 1 inch above the edge of the basin to cause a solid flow back into the hose.



This is more IC bullshit. Not me.The wash basin would have had to completely overflow and them some to get the water up high enough into the hose bend to completely fill the bend to generate a siphon. Any amount of air would break the siphon, which is the whole idea of the bend to begin with. So the height of the bend above the edge of the wash basin would be at least 1 inch.I don't believe you would have solid water 1 inch above the edge of the basin to cause a solid flow back into the hose.This is more IC bullshit.



garys_2k

Premium Member

join:2004-05-07

Farmington, MI garys_2k Premium Member Like I said, it would take the backed up sink and the hose gushing water into it (hose would be full of water) for that to happen. Possible but really, really unlikely.



Toadman

Hypnotoad

join:2001-11-28

Ex Ohioan 7 recommendations Toadman to mattmag

Member to mattmag

said by mattmag: said by garys_2k: I can picture it. This is more IC bullshit. Darn it. And I took the click bait !!



ptrowski

Got Helix?

Premium Member

join:2005-03-14

Woodstock, CT 1 recommendation ptrowski to IowaCowboy

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Follow manufacturer recommendation so you don't F up the washer.

fresnoBob

join:2016-08-29

Toronto, ON 1 edit 5 recommendations fresnoBob to IowaCowboy

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said by IowaCowboy: Now that we have it drained out and the sink cleared what is the best way to sanitize the washer. Front load high efficiency. Did you foment the scorn of an old gypsy woman somewhere along the way?



jrs8084

Premium Member

join:2002-03-02

Statesville, NC 3 recommendations jrs8084 to IowaCowboy

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Would you by chance be looking for a reason to buy a new washer/dryer set?

Quattrohead

Premium Member

join:2005-02-09 Quattrohead to IowaCowboy

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Clean the bottom of the washer discharge hose, the machine did not suck sewer water into it, can't happen.

Run a cleaning cycle on your machine, it's good for it.

lawsoncl

join:2008-10-28

Spirit Lake, ID 2 recommendations lawsoncl to mattmag

Member to mattmag

said by mattmag: said by garys_2k: I can picture it.



The wash basin would have had to completely overflow and them some to get the water up high enough into the hose bend to completely fill the bend to generate a siphon. Any amount of air would break the siphon, which is the whole idea of the bend to begin with. So the height of the bend above the edge of the wash basin would be at least 1 inch.



I don't believe you would have solid water 1 inch above the edge of the basin to cause a solid flow back into the hose.



This is more IC bullshit. Not me.The wash basin would have had to completely overflow and them some to get the water up high enough into the hose bend to completely fill the bend to generate a siphon. Any amount of air would break the siphon, which is the whole idea of the bend to begin with. So the height of the bend above the edge of the wash basin would be at least 1 inch.I don't believe you would have solid water 1 inch above the edge of the basin to cause a solid flow back into the hose.This is more IC bullshit.



Anyway, just run a hot cycle with bleach and call it good. Then wonder where else the sewer backed up. Into the shower tub, floor drains, etc? If the hose from the washer is full of water from just ending a cycle and and the end is submerged in the sink, I can see if pulling enough to start a siphon. That's literally how you start a siphon right?Anyway, just run a hot cycle with bleach and call it good. Then wonder where else the sewer backed up. Into the shower tub, floor drains, etc?



Astyanax

Premium Member

join:2002-11-14

Melbourne, FL ·AT&T FTTP

2 recommendations Astyanax to jrs8084

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said by jrs8084: Would you by chance be looking for a reason to buy a new washer/dryer set?



It sounds like he has a portable washing machine he rolls next to a sink and the sink backed up into the hose and may have contaminated the washer (??) I'm sure it's a set that comes with its own phone app too.It sounds like he has a portable washing machine he rolls next to a sink and the sink backed up into the hose and may have contaminated the washer (??)

zurk

Premium Member

join:2009-11-08

Beverly Hills, CA ·VMedia DSL

zurk to IowaCowboy

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you need a new washer. unless the room was flooding with 3.25 feet of sewage, there is no conceivable way sewage could have entered the washing machine unless it was at least 1/2 inch above the edge of the sink which is typically over 3 feet above the floor. - i.e. your room was flooded with water above the level of the sink. if your room was flooded your washer electricals are likely fried from the sewage anyway and therefore you should just buy a new washer. put the old one in a landfill with or without bleach.



garys_2k

Premium Member

join:2004-05-07

Farmington, MI 3 recommendations garys_2k Premium Member said by zurk: ... there is no conceivable way sewage could have entered the washing machine unless it was at least 1/2 inch above the edge of the sink ... Not inconceivable, like I said if it had completed an extraction cycle while the sink was full enough to cover the washer drain outlet then it would have siphoned the sink's contents back to the washer until the sink's level went below that drain line's outlet. That would be a significant amount of water, potentially sewage.

Merlin235

join:2014-10-14

USA Merlin235 to zurk

Member to zurk

At one time it was fairly common for the final rinse water to be ejected into a laundry sink then reused on the next wash cycle for the next load. Don't know if that still is an option but if it was then it would be another explanation of how sewage got sucked into the washer.



ptrowski

Got Helix?

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join:2005-03-14

Woodstock, CT ptrowski to jrs8084

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said by jrs8084: Would you by chance be looking for a reason to buy a new washer/dryer set? Willing to bet you nailed it. But it has WiFi and can make me a latte!



mattmag



join:2000-04-09

NW Illinois 2 recommendations mattmag to garys_2k

to garys_2k

said by garys_2k: Not inconceivable, like I said if it had completed an extraction cycle while the sink was full enough to cover the washer drain outlet then it would have siphoned the sink's contents back to the washer until the sink's level went below that drain line's outlet. No way no how.... Once it completes the cycle, that drain hose is almost ALL AIR. The water is gone. The arch of the hose goes ABOVE the level of the TOP of the sink, therefore the water level would have to rise almost 1 inch ABOVE THE EDGE of the sink to even get a downhill shot at the hose. And even then, it's a hose full of air. Is isn't going to siphon. Nothing. Not at all, and that is why it is made the way it is.

zurk

Premium Member

join:2009-11-08

Beverly Hills, CA ·VMedia DSL

zurk to Merlin235

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said by Merlin235: At one time it was fairly common for the final rinse water to be ejected into a laundry sink then reused on the next wash cycle for the next load. Don't know if that still is an option but if it was then it would be another explanation of how sewage got sucked into the washer. i'll bite. find me ONE front load HE washer which can do this in all of history.

jmelson3

join:2001-08-01

Saint Louis, MO 1 recommendation jmelson3 to mattmag

Member to mattmag

said by mattmag: The wash basin would have had to completely overflow and them some to get the water up high enough into the hose bend to completely fill the bend to generate a siphon.

washer, until the basin level lowered below the bottom of the hose. That's why washer drain hoses don't have a long extension below the bend.



Jon Nope! If the washbasin filled up to the level of the hose, and the washer was running and draining, that would push all the air out of the hose. Then, when the drain pump stopped, a siphon could develop and drain the basin back to thewasher, until the basin level lowered below the bottom of the hose. That's why washer drain hoses don't have a long extension below the bend.Jon



garys_2k

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join:2004-05-07

Farmington, MI 2 edits 1 recommendation garys_2k to mattmag

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said by mattmag: said by garys_2k: Not inconceivable, like I said if it had completed an extraction cycle while the sink was full enough to cover the washer drain outlet then it would have siphoned the sink's contents back to the washer until the sink's level went below that drain line's outlet. No way no how.... Once it completes the cycle, that drain hose is almost ALL AIR. The water is gone. The arch of the hose goes ABOVE the level of the TOP of the sink, therefore the water level would have to rise almost 1 inch ABOVE THE EDGE of the sink to even get a downhill shot at the hose. And even then, it's a hose full of air. Is isn't going to siphon. Nothing. Not at all, and that is why it is made the way it is.



While the pump is running, draining the washer, the whole system has water in it: machine basket, pump and the entire hose. Once the machine runs out of water just air gets to the pump inlet. The pump can't pump air, it's a water pump, so while a few bubbles may run out the hose for a moment, what dominates the whole thing at that point is that the pump can't pressurize its outlet anymore -- it's starved for water and there's nothing for it to push.



The loss of pressure at the pump outlet stops the flow through the hose. Water at the part of the hose below the top of the hook, facing the sink, just drains out by gravity and air replaces it. Once the pump stops running the water in the hose between the machine and the top of the drain bend runs back to the machine; air enters the hose outlet and replaces it. We now have an empty hose (well, except for a bit of water that may be in the part right at the pump, but 90+% empty).



If the outlet of the hose had been immersed in water not drained from the sink then no air could enter the hose from that end. Once the pump stops there'd be nothing to stop the full hose (again, this time there may be a few bubbles of air in it, but very nearly full) from draining back to the machine.



The outlet, being immersed in the sink water, will start siphoning the sink out into the machine. That would continue until the level in the sink dropped to the hose's outlet. THEN air would enter the hose and break the siphon. I had to think about this a while and I don't think you're correct. The hose is full of air at the very end of a drain cycle, yes, but that air has come from the hose's outlet, at the sink, not from the pump.While the pump is running, draining the washer, the whole system has water in it: machine basket, pump and the entire hose. Once the machine runs out of water just air gets to the pump inlet. The pump can't pump air, it's a water pump, so while a few bubbles may run out the hose for a moment, what dominates the whole thing at that point is that the pump can't pressurize its outlet anymore -- it's starved for water and there's nothing for it to push.The loss of pressure at the pump outlet stops the flow through the hose. Water at the part of the hose below the top of the hook, facing the sink, just drains out by gravity and air replaces it. Once the pump stops running the water in the hose between the machine and the top of the drain bend runs back to the machine; air enters the hose outlet and replaces it. We now have an empty hose (well, except for a bit of water that may be in the part right at the pump, but 90+% empty).If the outlet of the hose had been immersed in water not drained from the sink then no air could enter the hose from that end. Once the pump stops there'd be nothing to stop the full hose (again, this time there may be a few bubbles of air in it, but very nearly full) from draining back to the machine.The outlet, being immersed in the sink water, will start siphoning the sink out into the machine. That would continue until the level in the sink dropped to the hose's outlet. THEN air would enter the hose and break the siphon.



Bink63

Namedrop THIS

Premium Member

join:2002-10-06

Everywhere Bink63 Premium Member said by garys_2k: The loss of pressure at the pump outlet stops the flow through the hose. Water at the part of the hose below the top of the hook, facing the sink, just drains out by gravity and air replaces it. Once the pump stops running the water in the hose between the machine and the top of the drain bend runs back to the machine; air enters the hose outlet and replaces it. We now have an empty hose (well, except for a bit of water that may be in the part right at the pump, but 90+% empty). Washer drain pumps don't move enough water to completely fill the bend, we're not talking about a full garden hose with a nozzle after all.



PSWired

join:2006-03-26

Annapolis, MD PSWired Member All of the washers I've ever owned completely fill the drain hose when they're emptying the tub.



Agree with garys_2k's analysis here.



Bink63

Namedrop THIS

Premium Member

join:2002-10-06

Everywhere 2 recommendations Bink63 Premium Member said by PSWired: All of the washers I've ever owned completely fill the drain hose when they're emptying the tub.



Agree with garys_2k's analysis here.



You missed the key word in my statement... AIR!



Try taking a washer drain hose, fill up the drain sink with water to submerge the discharge end of the hose and by all means, I'd love to see a video of how you manage to create a siphon without a completely liquid filled hose, or suction.



Pumps aren't part of this scenario...



Gravity is.



why are we doing this in one of ic's threads? You've done laboratory analysis to confirm that, or are you just assuming from what you perceive?You missed the key word in my statement... AIR!Try taking a washer drain hose, fill up the drain sink with water to submerge the discharge end of the hose and by all means, I'd love to see a video of how you manage to create a siphon without a completely liquid filled hose, or suction.Pumps aren't part of this scenario...Gravity is.why are we doing this in one of ic's threads?



mattmag



join:2000-04-09

NW Illinois 4 recommendations mattmag said by Bink63: why are we doing this in one of ic's threads? That's the biggest main point of all..... I'm done. It's IC, it's BS, period.