sewage smell in washing machine?

Question

This is really disgusting, however over the last week I've noticed a sewage smell coming from my washing machine after using it. It has only happened a few times, but I have to wash my clothes several times to get the smell out. There is a toilet on the second floor above the washing maching and behind the wall next to the washing machine. We have had no recent work done. What could this be? Have you ever had anything like this happen before?

Answer 1

There really isn't any way for sewage to be coming back into your washing machine. The drain pipe on a washing machine isn't sealed onto the drain pipe. It almost always hangs into it. So, even if you had sewage backing up in your pipes it would end up on your laundry room floor before it would somehow defy gravity and make its way up into the drain hose on your washer, and then somehow push itself past the pump in your washer and get into the tub.

You are either smelling sewage from your drain pipe, your water coming in is bad, or the pump on your washer isn't working correctly, leaving water sitting in the washer, which then goes bad. It is highly unlikely that if you don't have water standing in the washer at the end of the cycle that it has something to do with water going bad in the washer.

I would try filling the washer with water only and then smelling the water to see if you still smell the odor. If you don't then you have a real mystery.

Are you sure you aren't washing clothes that have a chemical in them that is leaving some sort of lingering gas that is the cause of the odor?

Answer 2

Sewage Machine

Answer 3

Chances are, you washed clothes with gasoline on them. It could also be a reaction between your city's water and your detergent. It would be difficult to get sewage into your washer without it spilling on the floor from the drain pipe first.

Answer 4

ive had this happen before. the sewage pipe ran into the washing pipe. run a cycle in the washing machine with pure bleach, itll clean the pipes and the machine. works for me everytime.

Answer 5

Old water in the washing machine hoses. Same thing happened to me and I just took the hoses off and drained them. Hope this helps

Answer 6

It is possible that a (trap) is not installed. A trap is always necessary in any drain. It traps water in a U bend to block incoming sewer gasses

Answer 7

yes i have do you have a septic tank? if so use some rid-ex. if not see if your sewer is backing up into the washer when it drains if it is you need to go outside find your drain pipe and use a snake there. it might be tree roots .

Answer 8

clogged drain

Answer 9

call a plumber! your lines are backing up!