Hot weather brought out the drain flies from basement laundry room from the sink and toilet and slight skanky smell coming from washing machine?

[Don2222]

Hello
Still fighting drain flies again this year! This heat just created a bunch especially in the basement laundry and bathroom . A slight nasty smell seemed to come from the washing machine and we found something on the internet about a filter not in the LG owners manual! Fixing the 40 foot long kitchen drain for proper slope last year actually did help by eliminating standing greasy water in it. We changed the slope from straight horizontal to 1/4” per foot for 1-1/“ PVC drain pipe.
This time we checked and found the LG washer has a filter behind a small panel in the bottom front left! I checked and found black slime in the filter so asked Google?
Does the LG front load washer bottom right filter black slimy substance inside attract drain flies? !!
Yes, the black, slimy substance in your LG washer's drain filter absolutely attracts drain flies. This substance is a mix of mold, mildew, hair, lint, and built-up laundry detergent/fabric softener. Because it is damp, decaying, and nutrient-rich, it creates a perfect breeding ground for drain flies and other pest!
I cleaned it out and the laundry room smells better already!! We have a cleaning packet to run a clean cycle now. Then I got the Green Gobler in to catch anything that went upstream or downstream to finish the job.
Anyone else have this issue? See pics of washer filter below.

 

[Ricks]

Thanks I have a new front load washer and will need to check that!

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, our washer also has a filter that's not in the manual.
Though I need to move it forward, and take off the metal back to get to it... stopped design.

Any idea if that green gobler works?
We have a home long sewer line from all our home drains that runs along the basement wall, for a full width of the home (half in the back and half in the front) and the 24ft side of the home. So quite some lightly sloped run.
I may want to do this if it actually does something. (Sceptic too so don't want to drain chemicals in there - bad for sceptic and bad for my own soil!).

Though I do wonder what skanky smells like
My understanding of that word meant something else...

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Yeah, they nest in the organic matter in the drain. If you get them in the regular kitchen and bathroom sinks, overwhelming the drain system with boiling soapy water will kill the eggs. Fill every large stock pot you have with water and dish soap and bring to a boil. Pour them down the drain at once. It’ll cook the fly eggs.

Otherwise you’re cleaning it with brushes.

Pesticides and foams don’t work well in my experience.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I had some issues last year when my wife bought me a plant from home depot. It seemed to introduce gnat flies. I tried little red plastic catchers with apple cider vinegar in i.t Later I got some sticky strips. Soon I killed more than could reproduce. I have an old top loader washing machine that was leaving black marks on my whites. I found out no one had cleaned it since it was new. There was black mold. I cleaned it and then used washing washing cleaning tabs. OK now.

 

[kborndale]

I had some issues last year when my wife bought me a plant from home depot. It seemed to introduce gnat flies. I tried little red plastic catchers with apple cider vinegar in i.t Later I got some sticky strips. Soon I killed more than could reproduce. I have an old top loader washing machine that was leaving black marks on my whites. I found out no one had cleaned it since it was new. There was black mold. I cleaned it and then used washing washing cleaning tabs. OK now.

Best thing for fungus gnats/fruit flies in plants is mosquito bits.

https://www.amazon.com/SUMMIT-CHEMICAL-117-6-30OZ-Mosquito/dp/B0001AUF8G/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1YKLGGXF6FAMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JLUJnQBiWjmfcB4Xth9Ep7SWVsNWxGFJfCBXomTAZumkGp_0pJ8NCUu2whoLo5OC5K8nfeYHU93GG4QzdsFw22MnEsYrPrBIpi5xTmb_gnjOwY_Y4X-Y5iIJQ89kjtCo1fXMvwCEd4ekDVaJSdjzO-O1XyYm6rCuUnoYx6w3wiJCbcGGInVEqYPOD-W5eJHl5aKuEO_8cGKR0-NbDBHhPw.m9R8aJ1BAUII5-6yTmqulluOe43wS37Ty2wdL3Frlxo&dib_tag=se&keywords=mosquito+bits&qid=1782999892&sprefix=mosq%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-3

 

[brenndatomu]

I've used the Green Gobbler on our bathroom sink...I can't say that it didn't help, I think it did, but it wasn't a miracle cure though either...

 

[Whitenuckler]

Best thing for fungus gnats/fruit flies in plants is mosquito bits.

https://www.amazon.com/SUMMIT-CHEMICAL-117-6-30OZ-Mosquito/dp/B0001AUF8G/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1YKLGGXF6FAMQ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JLUJnQBiWjmfcB4Xth9Ep7SWVsNWxGFJfCBXomTAZumkGp_0pJ8NCUu2whoLo5OC5K8nfeYHU93GG4QzdsFw22MnEsYrPrBIpi5xTmb_gnjOwY_Y4X-Y5iIJQ89kjtCo1fXMvwCEd4ekDVaJSdjzO-O1XyYm6rCuUnoYx6w3wiJCbcGGInVEqYPOD-W5eJHl5aKuEO_8cGKR0-NbDBHhPw.m9R8aJ1BAUII5-6yTmqulluOe43wS37Ty2wdL3Frlxo&dib_tag=se&keywords=mosquito+bits&qid=1782999892&sprefix=mosq%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-3

Nice. Can't buy in Canada. Not sure if Amazon would ship it.

 

[stoveliker]

Nice. Can't buy in Canada. Not sure if Amazon would ship it.

It's not chemical, it's a bacterial strain that kills the larvae. Purely organic.
So I think it's not against the law in CA, so I hope they'd ship.

 

[Don2222]

Yes, our washer also has a filter that's not in the manual.
Though I need to move it forward, and take off the metal back to get to it... stopped design.

Any idea if that green gobler works?
We have a home long sewer line from all our home drains that runs along the basement wall, for a full width of the home (half in the back and half in the front) and the 24ft side of the home. So quite some lightly sloped run.
I may want to do this if it actually does something. (Sceptic too so don't want to drain chemicals in there - bad for sceptic and bad for my own soil!).

Though I do wonder what skanky smells like
My understanding of that word meant something else...

Hi Stoveliker
The Green Gobler does work if the drain is not really packed up with a hard clog. It seems good to use it every six months to keep them clear.

 

[stoveliker]

Ok, thank you

 

[Don2222]

If

Ok, thank you

Stoveliker - While pouring the boiling water 💦 into the basement bathroom sink a heard a curplunk and the drain seamed to open up more! So we sure hope that did something
So I recommend the Green Gobler to loosen the grease and clog by leaving it set an hour or so then pouring in a big pot of boiling water like EatenByLimestone said to wash it down as the very best method!

 

[stoveliker]

Thanks!

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Are your flies gone?

 

[Don2222]

Are your flies gone?

Hi EBL
This is the first morning we did not see any after using this method for the last 5 days.
What do you guys think about using Schedule 40 PVC for drains?
The drain fly issue is more of an issue since we went to schedule 40 PVC from the old copper drains.
This guy says to use the new Schedule 40 “Clear Drain PVC” as the permanent solution!
Definition of ClearDrain schedule 40 PVC
ClearDrain PVC is a revolutionary Schedule 40 piping system designed for HVAC condensate drainage, effectively combating white slime and biofilm that cause blockages and water leaks.

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Here is the product line.

ClearDrain PVC

ClearDrain PVC helps reduce white slime, clogs, leaks, and maintenance in residential and commercial HVAC/R condensate and refrigeration drainage.

rectorseal.com

What do you think about Schedule 40 for house hold drains?
Note:
I just learned at this time ClearDrain PVC comes only in 3/4” diameter and used exclusively for HVAC for condensation pipes only. Maybe some day it will be developed for use to replace 1.25 or 1.5 diameter Household drains?

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Most of the newer drain systems in my area are PVC as the old cast iron fails. If/when mine fails I’ll be looking at lining the pipe instead of tearing it all out.

 

[Don2222]

Hello
One important note here:
The spec for CPVC is it withstands temps up to
200 Degs Farenheight
The spec for PVC is it withstands temps up to
140 Degs Farenheight ( usually the max temp of Domestic hot water )
Therefore pouring boiling water 212 Degs Farenheight down a drain with metal pipes is fine but may harm PVC pipes if it comes in prolonged contact with the boiling water.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That’s a good thing to know! I’d never considered the temp rating of the pipe! Hopefully it’d flow down pretty quickly and not damage anything. It only needs to kill some eggs above the trap! I just got a call from a guy with another pest control company. He went the breakdown and physical cleaning route. He said the customer is thrilled. He said there was years of hair and sludge in the drain.

 

[bigealta]

I have the LG front loader washers too. Yes you need to clean that filter every few months at least. That's what it is there for. You drain the washer by pulling the little plug on the black tube right next to the filter. And then open the filter and only a small bit of water will come out then.

Using a cup or 2 of dish soap like dawn or similar in your drains works great to clean and prevent grease clogs. Pour it in and let it sit overnight for best results. Then nice Hot water rinse.

Also borax should treat the fly problem and also help clean drains. Not sure on the ideal dwell time for borax though.

Also Borax as a laundry detergent booster works great to keep you washer clean and get smells out of your clothes. Don't use too much and some washers may need you to dissolve it in hot water before adding it to the tub.

My Samsung front loader can take just the borax powder right on the rubber door seal, but my LG front loader has a different water fill path and the borax doesn't seem to get dissolved fast enough so pre dissolving it in water works better.

I would guess i'm using a tablespoon or 2 when i do use it in the front loaders.

Also always leave the washer door open all the time to dry out to prevent mold. And i always pull the detergent tray and dump the residual water after the washer is done for the day. This greatly slows the mold growth in that compartment's walls and i'm sure further down the hoses. I also always leave that detergent tray open to dry out. (I actually do leave it on the counter or on top of the washer and only put it back in when we use the washer again.) Our basement is humid so every chance to dry things out is helpful to keep mold away.

 

[bigealta]

Borax for Drain Flies: From Google-

To use borax against drain flies, dissolve 1/2 cup of borax in 4 cups of boiling water, pour it down the drain, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before flushing with hot water. For best results, scrape the pipe first to clear organic buildup where flies lay eggs. [1, 2]

 

[bigealta]

Don 2222, FYI The plumbing code changed to 2" pvc for washer drain line. You will probably be ok with the 1 1/2" you just replaced but next time probably switch to 2".

Plumbers have installed regular PVC drain lines in 100's of thousands of homes for many many years. Plenty of people pour boiling water down them. I would not worry about that at all.

 

[bigealta]

Don2222,

There is a good chance the funky small is coming from your rubber door seal. This is very common for machines that do not have their doors left open to fully dry. You tube has videos that show how to clean the rubber boots/seals. It's kind of a PITA which is why we always leave the doors wide open and after 20 years we have never had that problem even in a humid basement environment.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Don2222,

There is a good chance the funky small is coming from your rubber door seal. This is very common for machines that do not have their doors left open to fully dry. You tube has videos that show how to clean the rubber boots/seals. It's kind of a PITA which is why we always leave the doors wide open and after 20 years we have never had that problem even in a humid basement environment.

I did the same thing. Always propped the door open with a piece of hardwood trim. "Instructed" others to do the same, and soon it was a habit. To be honest, I like my 17 year old top loader as I can remove the agitator and clean.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Borax for Drain Flies: From Google-

To use borax against drain flies, dissolve 1/2 cup of borax in 4 cups of boiling water, pour it down the drain, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before flushing with hot water. For best results, scrape the pipe first to clear organic buildup where flies lay eggs. [1, 2]

When I discovered that my brand new white sheets had black marks, I started the cleaning process and bought these. Now I use them to every month or so with hot water. Also bought the version for my dishwasher. Opps posted in the drain cleaning spot.

 

[bigealta]

When I discovered that my brand new white sheets had black marks, I started the cleaning process and bought these. Now I use them to every month or so with hot water. Also bought the version for my dishwasher. Opps posted in the drain cleaning spot.

I have them both as well. I find that using the borax and keeping the liquid laundry detergent to the very low recommended amount and not using too much has kept my front loader clean for years and don't need those cleaning tablets anymore. And i also use the hot water settings. Cold water just doesn't work well for me.