STINKY WASHING MACHINE

[kloofnek]

My washer has a horrid mouldy smell.This began a while back and I bought some special cleaning powder which one puts in an empty wash.
Last week,I did it again,using twice the dosage on 95 heating....now it is worse!!!!!
Have read all sorts of solutions online and wonder if anyone knows of one that really works.
I do have another problem,sometimes water comes back into the drum when not in use,the plummer told me it is coming from my sink as the washer outlet pipe conjoins with my sink outlet pipe.When the sink has not been in use this does not happen..is it possible that this is contributing to the horrid smell as well????
Had the washer a good number of years and still works perfectly,I am reluctant to buy a new one till it finally conks out...then I shall get a washer dryer.

Thanx

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe you need the pumber to move the waste pipe join much further downline. Perhaps as far as the drain itself. If an unused sink means no problem it does sound as if there is some kind of backwash rushing back to the washing machine and staying there causing problems.

[martinjr]

That is definitely the problem (the plumber's explanation). I had the exact same problem - smell after usage etc. The second problem you mentioned is part of the first one and it is all to do with the drainage pipe from the machine. Again I have the washing machine and dishwasher draining via a common pipe.

I fixed problem by purchasing a gadget similar to an old fashioned bottle- washer which had a flexible handle of about 700 cm in length (either Lidl or Aldi) but had to extend it using a straightened wire coat-hanger. I inserted this in the outlet pipes one after the other, i.e., washing machine and then dishwasher and gave them a good scrubbing while tap water in sink running. WARNING!! if adding an extension to the bottle-washer handle make sure that the connection will not loosen as you don't want to leave the brush stuck inside the pipe!!

[jomifl]

If you haven't got a trap ( A U shaped pipe that holds water )or a siphon break (where the rubber discharge pip from the machine discharges into the top of a vertical pipe)in the discharge from the washing machine then depending on the wind direction nasty smells from the drains can waft up the drain pipe and into the washing machine.

[kloofnek]

I know what kind of brush you mean,seen them in Kleeneze brochure,they are for cleaning down the sink plug hole, very small slim brush on a long wire handle.Good idea of yours...but don`t think I`ll try it myself,get the plummer to come,he is a friend so won`t mind.

Thanks both of you for answers

[kloofnek]

Sorry Jomifl,Didn`t see your reply till after I had posted mine.
Fraid you are too techinical for me,trap,pip,AU pipe...don`t know what these are...can you explain or leave a link to an explanation...please.thank you

[Old_Geezer]

I'd just be concerned that, a pipe clean is unlikely to prevent the problem reoccurring in the future. You might end up with a stinky washer/drier. But it may sort things for now.

[Old_Geezer]

A U trap can be seen under your sink. It is a deliberate change of direction from down to back up again, and it fills with water preventing smelly gasses coming back up and out of your plughole.

In my washing machine arrangement it has it's own waste pipe, and the U trap is formed by the rubber pipe from the machine having to go up on exit to join the waste pipe. At least that is how it seems to work for me.

[jomifl]

Kloof.. ask your plumber friend to have a look at the discharge pipework, I suspect the fault lies there. Any appliance discharging into the sewerage system should go via a water trap, which as I said in my earlier post is a U shaped pipe that always has enough water in it to block the passage of smelly air. If water is coming back into the drum it suggests that the discharge pipework does not have a syphon break. This is a vertical pipe (either connected to or part of the water trap) which has an open top about level with the overflow of your sink. the rubber pipe from the machine goes into the top of the vertical pipe so that there is a small air gap around it to prevent syphoning. This ensures that waste water from you sink or elswhere cannot get into the washing machine.

[martinjr]

Yep, I got the ubends etc for each and I fully understand where oldgeezer is coming from. It is now almost 2 years since I did the bottlebrush job and no problems since but I know that it will return at some stage. However, now that I know a little bit more It will only take me a few minutes to resolve. Then again I'm lucky in that I can get at the pipework which is under draining board and runs along behind removable kitchen counter presses.

[kloofnek]

I think a completely separate outlet pipe is best,but that would mean a lot more work being done...have rang my plumber..so hopefully all will be sorted .
Many thank you`s for answers.