Sump Pump, Utility Sink, Washer, help!

[Solid]

Originally Posted by phishfood

But then the sump would discharge back into itself, since it drains into the same pipe that the sink and washer drain into.

Exactly Phishfood. And no, I can run the sink and not notice any water escaping into the basin through that pipe. The only time I notice it is when the washing machine dumps the waste water, and like I said before, it definitely isn't dumping straight into the sump basin. It is only a little bit of foamy, sudsy water that spills in. I just can't understand what that pipe is there for - do you think that line under the concrete (leading to the main stack) could be leaking? I would think you would notice water entering the sump basin from sink if that is the case. It looks like the only thing to do is start breaking up the floor and seeing where that pipe goes or, have a someone scope that pipe to see what is up. Any advise?

Some more info: This is a 1948 New England Cape (not sure if this helps), and here is a picture that may (or may not) help. Imagine you are looking straight down from above the basement (grey box in left hand corner is the sump basin):


I am assuming that the drain from the sink connects to the main waste line, underground, and heads out to the street.

[LiQuId]

yes, I was tired when i wrote that last one and You are absolutely right.... I am guessing that its just a suds pressure zone. it could be many things, maybe they used the upper portion of the sum to serve as a vent for the sink branch since there appears to be no other connected vents. have it all scoped, but then this is easy for me to say since i have access to a scope that doesnt cost me.

that the sudz are present tells me only that this pipe is at some point connected to the same drainage branch as the 2" for the sink and washer.

[Solid]

No problem Liquid. So, If I dig this up and find out that the pipe is (for some reason) connected to that drain branch, is it OK to just remove it? Obviously, I would have to remove/repair the connection point and fill everything back in, but I don't see the point of having this. I do think that I should have the branch cleaned out while I'm doing all of this, to make sure everything flows out to the sewer. Can you guys give me an idea of how much something like that would cost? Thanks again for all of your help with this.

[LiQuId]

prices would depend on the plumber and the going rate for your area.

[carpdad]

I am not a plumber, so this is just a guess. Since the mystery pipe is connected to the sewer, why not cap it with rubber cap or a plug and see what happens? It may have worked as a vent? Washing machine needs the trap, although my mother's washing machine also does not have a trap, just a horizontal check valve. I don't think removing that section of the pipe is worth breaking up the floor.

[Solid]

Carpdad,

Thanks for the reply. I'm already planning on breaking up the floor to install a new sump pump basin, so while I'm at it, I will probably investigate the mystery pipe. The sump basin that is there now is about 1' deep by 1' square, and it does not have a lid. This will probably take me a while to gather all of the stuff that I will need, but I will try to update this post when I finally get around to doing all this. If anyone thinks of anything else it may be, please feel free to reply. Thanks!