Ok to seal this pipe?

Captain Kidd

A very novice question but thanks for any help. Our washing machine has the usual draining pipe that attaches to a pipe coming up from the floor (see picture). This pipe I think goes directly to the sewer and quite often quite a smell can arise. Is it ok for me to wrap this in plumbing tape to seal it all or is there some reason this should have an opening?

thanks for any help

Calahonda52

This should not go to th sewer in any circumstances so I would be checking it out for that first, if you can.

It show go to a gully trap and be free to allow fess air into the house so you can tape it up

10-10-20

It needs one of these fitted around half way down the pipe.

https://www.woodies.ie/pedestal-trap-336052

Or one of these:

https://www.woodies.ie/traps-11-2-washing-machine-trap-stand-pipe-type-336056

They will stop the return of any gasses from the waste piping.

Captain Kidd

Thanks both for replying, I really appreciate it. I should have mentioned that I’m in Brussels, and the utility room with the washer is in the basement. There’s actually a sewer cover right beside the pipe in question. I think there is definitely smells coming from this pipe as opposed to the sewer cover. I’ve attached a picture to show, the pipe I’m talking about is the grey one in the background.

do you think it would still be ok to seal with tape? It seems to have the pipe installed already that you sent a link to.

Thanks again

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121362875#Comment_121362875

Do you mean the storm drain? Grey water does go to the sewer.

OP if you don't use the machine that often the water in the trap can start to smell, try pouring a bit of bleach down the pipe.

I'm not sure it's a good idea to seal it as you might get back-suction issues.

GreeBo

if there is water in the trap (the u bend) then you arent getting any smells from there.

So either the smells are from the manhole cover OR from the washing machine itself.

Might be worthwhile doing a boil wash (90*) with some washing machine cleaner in it.

Captain Kidd

Thanks everyone, yeah a concern on sealing was that it might create another problem, that pipe is definitely smelly and we recently got the sewer pipes flushed and checked and everything seemed ok. I’ll put some bleach down and do a clean cycle on machine. Thanks for all the help everyone.

Calahonda52

I concur with the others but will offer this as a possibility.

IFF and thats an IFF, the grey pipe is connected to the toilet stack before it enters the sewer and the stack is not properly ventilated, what happens is that when the toilet flushes, especially from up stairs the water is sucked out of the grey trap.

Its a long shot here but possible.

Have seen it very often and it not well understood by home owners or plumbers.

The most common occurance is when you see baths and WHBs connected directly in to the vertical stack below where the toilet exits the house wall and the stack size may reduce to a two inch above the toilet to save money

I have it in my current house, WHB trap gurgles when the bath empties

Captain Kidd

Thanks for that, I’ll do some tests with the toilet flushing and then checking the trap. Really appreciate all the tips and help. 👍🏼

Calahonda52

always glad to help posters who take the suggestions with any umbrage.

Be interested to see what you come up with

you could look at this idea

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/mcalpine-single-appliance-trap-white-40mm/81714

and maybe vent the top piece outside

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121371098#Comment_121371098

That’s an under sink trap, there’s no sink , just an upstand .

The smell may be coming from the washing m/ c through the discharge pipe.

Edit;

misunderstood Calahonda’s suggestion.