Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain.

1950home · 10-01-2012, 09:46 AM

I need to put in a washer drain into a cast iron stack. The OD of the stack is about 2.5” so I would think it is a 2” stack. On the first floor there is a kitchen so there is a sink and a dishwasher that is draining above this.

At 25” from the floor there is a Y that currently has some 1.5” copper piping.
At 32” from the floor there is a T with a 6” galvanized pipe with a cap. The OD is 2” so I'm guessing it's a 1.5” pipe.

I would like to put in a washer drain about 40” to the right of the stack. I would also like to leave the option of putting in a sink in that 40” space at some point.

My under standing is that I need 2” pipe for a washer, so I need to just put in a sink and put the washer hose right into the sink. Is this right? I know I need a P trap but will I have any venting issues?

I want to pull out the copper pipe and cap that off. Is a PVC plug the best?
I have been putting penetrating oil on the galvanized pipe a few times a day and tying to remove it with my pipe wrench, but' it's still on there. Any tips or do I need a bigger pipe wrench?

I know I also need to redo the copper plumbing and hot water heater is going on the left side of the cast iron pipe.

Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain.-imgp0206.jpg

Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain.-imgp0209.jpg

Alan · 10-01-2012, 10:22 AM

Both of those fittings are too high for a utility sink unless you plan on mounting the flood rim of the sink at about 4 and a half feet off the ground.

What is the pipe going above to? Is it a drain for something above?

1950home · 10-01-2012, 11:28 AM

Above the pics there is a kitchen. It will be a double sink and dishwasher.
Never thought of the height of the fittings and the height of the utility sink. Very good point.

Is there going to be a legal way to hook up a washer without cutting the cast iron?

Alan · 10-01-2012, 10:16 PM

Probably not, but cutting cast iron isn't really that difficult.

You'd probably be surprised how easy it was once you are finished.

Since you're at it, you might as well give the sink and washer each their own drain.

1950home · 10-02-2012, 04:32 AM

After looking around the basement at the other possible spot for the laundry room I'm ready to cut the cast iron pipe.

I looked at a few rental shops and found a chain cutter that is in good shape.

allthumbsdiy · 10-02-2012, 07:27 AM

Just make sure to support that pipe before cutting.

good luck

ben's plumbing · 10-02-2012, 07:47 AM

I would replace it from below the k.s to basement floor with new pvc....

1950home · 10-02-2012, 10:39 AM

I ended up sending an email with pice to the plumbing inspector. He pointed out that the cast Y was probably 2” at the clean out. If it is a 2” hub than I'll use a rubber seal in hub to PVC. I did take a look at it today and it looks like it is. I will forget about a sink or just use an old bathroom sink latter if needed.

If I do cut the cast the inspector wants to come out and check the support I put in before i cut or replace it all the way up with PVC.

Now I just need to figure out how to plumb it for the washer and have a clean out.

Thanks for the suggestions before and after this post.

10-01-2012, 09:46 AM	#1
1950home Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: VA Posts: 68	Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain. I need to put in a washer drain into a cast iron stack. The OD of the stack is about 2.5” so I would think it is a 2” stack. On the first floor there is a kitchen so there is a sink and a dishwasher that is draining above this. At 25” from the floor there is a Y that currently has some 1.5” copper piping. At 32” from the floor there is a T with a 6” galvanized pipe with a cap. The OD is 2” so I'm guessing it's a 1.5” pipe. I would like to put in a washer drain about 40” to the right of the stack. I would also like to leave the option of putting in a sink in that 40” space at some point. My under standing is that I need 2” pipe for a washer, so I need to just put in a sink and put the washer hose right into the sink. Is this right? I know I need a P trap but will I have any venting issues? I want to pull out the copper pipe and cap that off. Is a PVC plug the best? I have been putting penetrating oil on the galvanized pipe a few times a day and tying to remove it with my pipe wrench, but' it's still on there. Any tips or do I need a bigger pipe wrench? I know I also need to redo the copper plumbing and hot water heater is going on the left side of the cast iron pipe.

10-01-2012, 10:22 AM	#2
Alan Doing it myself Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Crescent City, CA Posts: 3,454	Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain. Both of those fittings are too high for a utility sink unless you plan on mounting the flood rim of the sink at about 4 and a half feet off the ground. What is the pipe going above to? Is it a drain for something above? __________________ Journeyman Plumber

10-01-2012, 11:28 AM	#3
1950home Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: VA Posts: 68	Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain. Above the pics there is a kitchen. It will be a double sink and dishwasher. Never thought of the height of the fittings and the height of the utility sink. Very good point. Is there going to be a legal way to hook up a washer without cutting the cast iron?

10-01-2012, 10:16 PM	#4
Alan Doing it myself Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Crescent City, CA Posts: 3,454	Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain. Probably not, but cutting cast iron isn't really that difficult. You'd probably be surprised how easy it was once you are finished. Since you're at it, you might as well give the sink and washer each their own drain. __________________ Journeyman Plumber

10-02-2012, 04:32 AM	#5
1950home Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: VA Posts: 68	Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain. After looking around the basement at the other possible spot for the laundry room I'm ready to cut the cast iron pipe. I looked at a few rental shops and found a chain cutter that is in good shape.

Old plumbing. Adding a washer drain.