Washer leak

[Ribtip]

Hi all here is my problem. We have a 327res. Its a 2017 bought used this year. Everything was great until we tried to use the washer. We have no intentions to ever wash clothes but we just had to see if it worked. So problem is when it drains the water back flows out of the drain pipe. Now the hose from the washer is just set down in the black drain pipe. Is this correct or should that be a water tight connection. Is the drain blocked some how. In my house the drain is also just sitting in there. What am i missing. Thanks for all your soon to come help.

[flybouy]

From what I understand most washer drains don't drain into a tank, just to a drain pipe. So to use it, you must be connected to a sewer connection with the drain valve open.

[Ribtip]

Dang i don't see any valves to open for it to drain. I can see the pipe in the cargo hold but no valve

[chuckster57]

Some units use a holding tank, some even have a dedicated tank. If your getting rinse water back flowing, I would first suspect the drain hose isn’t inserted far enough. It not an airtight connection.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Ribtip

Dang i don't see any valves to open for it to drain. I can see the pipe in the cargo hold but no valve

Most likely drains into a gray tank. Is the bathroom close by? How full is that tank?

[Ribtip]

Bathroom is close by. All tanks are empty

[Ribtip]

Im using a wire fishing cable now and it will only go into the drain pipe about 3 or 4 inches then gets held up by something

[chuckster57]

It may be a Hepvo drain. They gave a “flapper” and I’ve seen the ends stuck together. It should be accessible by removing a panel where the drain pipe runs.

[JRTJH]

OK, several things to consider:

First, not all washers drain into a tank. Yours may or it may not.
Second, if it drains into a tank, and your tanks are empty, then that's not the issue.
Third, There is a HEPVO valve on the washer drain. If you "run a wire down the drain, you'll destroy the HEPVO valve. DON'T DO IT !!!!!
Fourth (and probably your issue) many washers are directly plumbed to the sewer outlet and not to a tank. THE ONLY ABILTIY TO HOLD WATER IS THAT SMALL DRAIN PIPE. So, if you run the washer with the cap on the sewer connection, the washer will back up and not drain and/or spill out into the room.

So, make sure your sewer outlet cap is removed on the side of the trailer BEFORE turning on the washer....

My guess would be that the problem is not a problem, but rather a cap on the sewer outlet that hasn't been removed....

[Ribtip]

Jrtjh i was hoping the problem was that cap but no water was behind it when i took it off. Maybe there is some one way valve that is stuck. I will look into it tomorrow but i see no panel or anything to remove to check. Only part of the pipe i can see is whats under the dresser when the bottom drawer is removed and whats in the cargo hold. I dont see any valves or anything.

[Ribtip]

This is what the end of the washer pipe looks like. Is there anything that is supposed to be attached to it to make it go in further.

[chuckster57]

I use zip ties with a loop made for a screw to secure it to the wall. I’m going to disagree with John I’m this one and say it’s the Hepvo drain “glued together” from non use.

[Ribtip]

Where is that valve located. I think there is something like that going on

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I use zip ties with a loop made for a screw to secure it to the wall. I’m going to disagree with John I’m this one and say it’s the Hepvo drain “glued together” from non use.

Chuck, You might be 100% right, but before tearing the trailer apart to fix it, I'd strongly urge removing the sewer cap and seeing if the washer drains... Much easier to check than the HEPVO valve …

[Ribtip]

I did take off the drain cap and nothing there. So i did fish a small pvc pipe down the drain and now i can get in there a lot farther not sure if i destroyed anything but seems open now. If i have to go after that valve i will

[JRTJH]

I'm guessing your washer is in the front bedroom, in the closet ??

The plumbing run is in the floor. If you look in the front passthrough, you should see it on the ceiling. Follow it to the rear wall of the passthrough, remove that wall and you'll see where it turns down to drain in the underbelly. In that area, you should find the HEPVO valve. It'll look like this photo, sort of a "lumpy piece of pipe".

ADDED: The purpose of the HEPVO valve is to replace the P trap. It prevents sewer gasses from backing up into the drain. So, if you "push out the rubber bladder" it'll leak and the drain will smell like sewer. If it's damaged, I don't know of any way to repair it, it's a remove and replace type fix.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Chuck, You might be 100% right, but before tearing the trailer apart to fix it, I'd strongly urge removing the sewer cap and seeing if the washer drains... Much easier to check than the HEPVO valve …

Only reason I say that is, in all my years I haven’t seen a washer drain straight out. Outside kitchen sinks...yeah.

[travelin texans]

I've had an '05, '09 & a '13 5th wheels all plumbed for a washer & all drained into the bath grey tank.
I would think with all the EPA codes for dumping that RV manufacturers wouldn't design any plumbing fixture with a direct dump, too many knuckleheads would dumping everywhere.
In the past several of the state parks we visited had signs posted stating "our trees love your grey water", now they say "NO DUMPING ALLOWED", probably cause some decided they might like the black also.

[mikz86ta]

Our washer drain just hangs inside that drain pipe. It's smaller, so not sealed. Doesn't need to be. We have a second black tank for the rear toilet and washer drain. Check for a second tank with valve that u may not be aware of (our second black and second gray are frame-mounted valves) . That tank maybe full.
Also check to be sure the prior owner didn't stuff something down there. Some ppl think bugs crawl up pipes. Or maybe a nest in there. Stranger things and u got it used, so who knows

[Ribtip]

Seems like i fixed it or wrecked the valve by shoving the tube in farther but it drains. Now on to the sea water pump in the boat.