Is it very difficult to drain a washing machine in a basement?
Currently, my washing machine has a pump which puts water into a sink next to it. It was this way when I bought the house. I’m wondering why you would choose to use a pump. Would it be hard to change it to drain into where the sink is draining, without the pump to the…
Currently, my washing machine has a pump which puts water into a sink next to it. It was this way when I bought the house. I’m wondering why you would choose to use a pump. Would it be hard to change it to drain into where the sink is draining, without the pump to the sink? Any thoughts on how much a plumber would charge for this? Can you recommend a plumber for this job? Thank you for your help.
OP again –
No, the sink doesn’t drain slowly (even when the washing machine water is pumped in all at once), it drains pretty readily.
Should I just leave it alone? I’m just wondering for installation of the new machine.
Thanks you!
OP here –
Thanks for all of your input.
I was thinking I should have it changed to drain directly without the external pump only because I am planning on replacing the old machine with a new one.
Since the input is mixed, I think I’ll call a plumber. Any recommendations?
Thank you!
w/m can typically drain up to 4 feet above the bottom of the machine.If the washing machine can self-drain into the sink, leave it alone. Why bother? Are you planning on calling an inspector?
anon 12:27 – how much did this cost and who did you use?
thanks
We just had a washer installed into a basement by a plumber who was very up to code. The main waste pipe was above the washer, and even though the washer has a pump, code requires an external one in that situation (or so we were told by our plumber, who was very good).
The waste line should be vented, or it would be unusual. There is no reason your machine can’t be drained into the main waste line, as the machine should in fact have its own pump. What you need to do is connect into the waste line, and add an elbow to prevent back flow and odors, or drain into the line the sink is on in a similar way. Call your plumber, not a handyman.
isn’t it pretty standard to have it drain into a sink if you have one? i’m assuming it’s a big laundry sink. i suppose you could have a plumber create a separate standpipe for the washer, but i’m not sure why you would bother. i wish i had a laundry sink!
Good point about venting. Does your sink drain really slow on it’s own, when the washing machine is not in use?
I’m not as confident as Rick that you can just hook washer into existing drain. The extra pump confuses me, but I’m thinking that it might exist because of no venting in that drain line. If there isn’t a vent to help the water drain, you’ll have a problem emptying the machine.