Plumbing forum - Washing Machine Install

Author

Washing Machine Install

pakdog

2005-10-01, 10:21 am

I'm replumbing my laundry room to accomodate a stacked washer & dryer and
have two questions about the drain pipe.

1) The old drain, a 1 1/2" ABS standpipe, doesn't appear to have a trap.
Is this typical for washing machine drains? I think I can fit in a running
trap (U-trap?) if needed.

2) An old general home repair book advises installing the drain pipe so
the outlet is no lower than the wash tub water level -- to "ward against
overflow." Since the book was written about 25 years ago, I'm wondering if
this still applies. The manual for the new washer gives instructions on
the maximum height for the drain but says nothing about a minimum height.
I could possibly get the pipe up to the level of the tub, approx 35", but
in the same wall where I'm working there's a vent pipe in the way.
Otherwise, the outlet will be about 27" above the floor.

Kevin

Mike Grooms

2005-10-01, 5:21 pm

"pakdog"

First of all, if you can put in 2" instead of 1.5", it'd be better.
Washing machines pump a lot faster these days.

Secondly, you really need to have it trapped somehow. The trap needs to
be on the same floor of the washing machine, and it needs to be vented. If
it's not, there's a danger of momentum from the water siphoning the trap
dry. BTW, double check to see if there's not already a trap on it
somewhere.

Thirdly, the standpipe needs to be above the top of the washing tub. If
the top of the standpipe is lower than the water level in the tub, it'll
just run out to that level. I like to put the drains visibly higher than
the washing machines, just to keep things in easy view.

pakdog

2005-10-01, 6:21 pm

On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 16:11:33 -0400, Mike Grooms wrote:

> Thirdly, the standpipe needs to be above the top of the washing tub.
> If
> the top of the standpipe is lower than the water level in the tub, it'll
> just run out to that level. I like to put the drains visibly higher
> than the washing machines, just to keep things in easy view.

Hi,

Thanks for the response. I have a question about this after looking at the
owners manual again. They show a picture of the washer connected to a
floor drain with just a brief caption and nothing more ('Place end of
drain hose in the hole in the floor drain system.'). This suggests to me
that it is possible to drain to an outlet lower than the top of tub. What
am I missing?

Kevin

Mark Monson

2005-10-01, 7:21 pm

Mike Grooms wrote:
> "pakdog"
>
> First of all, if you can put in 2" instead of 1.5", it'd be better.
> Washing machines pump a lot faster these days.
>
> Secondly, you really need to have it trapped somehow. The trap needs to
> be on the same floor of the washing machine, and it needs to be vented. If
> it's not, there's a danger of momentum from the water siphoning the trap
> dry. BTW, double check to see if there's not already a trap on it
> somewhere.
>
> Thirdly, the standpipe needs to be above the top of the washing tub. If
> the top of the standpipe is lower than the water level in the tub, it'll
> just run out to that level. I like to put the drains visibly higher than
> the washing machines, just to keep things in easy view.
>
>
Hey Mike you get another shiny gold star. I can't find nothin I don't
agree with in this here post.

MM

pakdog

2005-10-01, 9:21 pm

On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 16:11:33 -0400, Mike Grooms wrote:

>
> "pakdog"
>
> First of all, if you can put in 2" instead of 1.5", it'd be better.
> Washing machines pump a lot faster these days.
>
> Secondly, you really need to have it trapped somehow. The trap needs to
> be on the same floor of the washing machine, and it needs to be vented.
> If it's not, there's a danger of momentum from the water siphoning the
> trap dry. BTW, double check to see if there's not already a trap on it
> somewhere.
>
> Thirdly, the standpipe needs to be above the top of the washing tub. If
> the top of the standpipe is lower than the water level in the tub, it'll
> just run out to that level. I like to put the drains visibly higher than
> the washing machines, just to keep things in easy view.

Thanks again for the info. Pardon my ignorance I'm just trying to find the
easiest way to deal with this.

Kevin

Mike Grooms

2005-10-02, 12:21 am

"pakdog"

It's one of two things. Either the drain hose itself runs up to the top
of the wash tub before it exits the machine, or there's a solenoid valve or
something on the drain. Maybe stackable units are different than most
washing machines I know. If the manual says it's OK, then go for it.

pakdog

2005-10-02, 6:22 pm

On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 22:38:29 -0400, Mike Grooms wrote:

>
> "pakdog"
>
> It's one of two things. Either the drain hose itself runs up to the
> top
> of the wash tub before it exits the machine, or there's a solenoid valve
> or something on the drain. Maybe stackable units are different than most
> washing machines I know. If the manual says it's OK, then go for it.

It's an LG maching and I'm calling their tech support tomorrow before
tearing up any more of my wall! Everything I've read here and elsewhere
confirms the basic idea that the highest point on the drain hose must
rest above the high water level in the machine. Because of what it will
take to make this happen (I've spared you most of the gory details), I've
been getting as much info as I can first.

Thanks again for taking the time and sharing your Wisdom.

Kevin

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