Rental Property Investor · New York, NY · Member since 2011 · 956 posts · 510 votes
So my tenants told me they have been emptying the washing machine into the sump pump past 6 months (As opposed to in the shower. ) several circuit breakers stopped working and the electrician just told me
It’s because because the sump pump circuit breaker shorted.
i’m sure it’s due to the soap they have been pumping down there but can’t prove it. who pays the $400 Electrician bill?
@Marci Stein Do you have any objective source that suggests soap or washer outflow is harmful to a sump pump? If you don’t have that, I’m not sure how you pin this on the washer outflow or the tenant. Now, it would likely be putting additional use and wear on the sump pump, and it is reasonable to ask them to stop. But without any source stating that soap is bad for a sump pump, this feels like wishful thinking wanting to push off the expense.
So my tenants told me they have been emptying the washing machine into the sump pump past 6 months (As opposed to in the shower. ) several circuit breakers stopped working and the electrician just told me
It’s because because the sump pump circuit breaker shorted.
i’m sure it’s due to the soap they have been pumping down there but can’t prove it. who pays the $400 Electrician bill?
Thanks very much!
It seems like they told you they were doing it from their statement
Did you put it in writing for them to have it drain into the shower? When did you find out they were draining it into the sump pump? I'd split the bill with them if they were told (in writing) to have it drain into the shower. Next time, it is 100% on them.
I was unaware the washing machine did not have a drain pipe. It’s a new buy for me. They are my first tenants. We agreed it would discharge in the shower. The plumber came to fix the breaker but now I need a new sump pump . I believe the soap broke it. (another $400. )
I’m thinking I should split it with the tenants, but nothing was is in writing.
@Marci Stein Do you have any objective source that suggests soap or washer outflow is harmful to a sump pump? If you don’t have that, I’m not sure how you pin this on the washer outflow or the tenant. Now, it would likely be putting additional use and wear on the sump pump, and it is reasonable to ask them to stop. But without any source stating that soap is bad for a sump pump, this feels like wishful thinking wanting to push off the expense.
It is well documented online that soap in a sump pump accumulates and solidifies and then blocks the pump’s abilty to move. Not trying to be unfair at all.
Is it legal to discharge the clothes washer in to the shower? I assume a permit was pulled? How did this pass an inspection with no drain? I know I wouldn’t want my clothes washer draining in to my shower, would you?
1) have a building inspector come out and see if your shower answer is legal, proper, and common.
2) if so, and there’s no other reasonable cure lower their rent for the inconvenience, offer to let them out of the lease? But I think you’re going to have a hard time finding new tenants once these move out. So now might be the best time to find the new solution.
3) obviously zero or almost zero real estate professionals knew it was bad for the sump pump so I wouldn’t expect the tenants to know. And you didn’t say not to use the sump pump, you said the shower was ok.
Ps. Every Google answer I found was it shouldn’t be done because it can contaminate the soils and groundwater. (Sound like good reasons not to pump in to shower.) but that many/most people do it, especially if it drains in to a septic system.
I'm gunna take a different route, and point out that you've created this scenario by renting a unit with a washing machine, but without a legal way to drain it. Draining in a bathtub is not code compliant. You also did not give them any firm instructions about how to handle this. Not to mention, you didn't even know about it. Take this one on the chin and fix the sump pump. At the same time, have the washing machine plumbed correctly so you wont have to deal with this headache in the future.
You should then go through that house with a fine tooth comb to see if there is any other issues you haven't noticed. It is better to fix before it becomes a problem.