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Washing machine overhead drainage

19K views 34 replies 10 participants last post by  jasara.m.h97 
#1 ·
Hey guys. First post. I just purchased a home and have stumbled upon my newest dilemma which is in regards to the current set up they have for the washing machine drainage. I have attached some pictures. They left the washer and dryer behind when they sold the house to me. Their current set-up is simply a drainage line that exits the back of the washer loops around on the floor and extends vertically about 8 feet and dumps directly into the main drainage pipe. I have septic. Any thoughts? It looks inherently wrong to me. I have no experience regarding plumbling. But I just dont see this set-up as being very appropriate from the common sense stand point. Thanks for any thoughts!
 

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#4 ·
Amazing!! Another house bought without a presale inspection. Also plumbed by I can glue pipe so I am a plumber. You have Black glued to White Bad sign.... Tee on it's side picking up something.

We can gut your house later..

You need to purchase the following.

A laundry tray
A Low profile drain sump
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/compact...t&adid=18172&gclid=CLGr-qavsb0CFYZAMgodsx0ArA

Install Laundry tray great for when we fix the rest of the plumbing.

Washer goes to Laundry tray

Laundry tub drains to bucket sump

Bucket sump gos to 4 inch all by itself.

You will also need
A 4 inch PVC thread by glue connector

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/1-2-pvc...e&adid=18172&gclid=CPb3yJKwsb0CFbFaMgodwncAvQ

4 by 2 PVC Wye

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/genova-...e&adid=18172&gclid=CPOcpaawsb0CFfFFMgodPUwA7Q

2 by 1.5 inch bushing

A few 1.5 inch PVC fittings

1 sump check valve 1.5 inch

1.5 inch PVC pipe

4 inch PVC pipe

PVC Glue And PVC Primer

Now from the cute bucket sump y tie in the pvc to the pump it gos to the new 4 inch wye you just installed looking up in front of that used to be clean out.

The brass cleanout plug is removed the 4 inch threaded adaptor with dope and tape screws into it the wye glues into that
A 4 inch cleanout installed in the other side of the wye with a plug
Bush down the 2 inch of the wye to 1.5 inch
It runs to the sump with that nice new 1.5 inch sump check installed above the pump.

Just run the sump vent up to the joist and turn down with 2 90's

About 4 hours of work when you know how.
 
#5 ·
Amazing!! Another house bought without a presale inspection. Also plumbed by I can glue pipe so I am a plumber. You have Black glued to White Bad sign.... Tee on it's side picking up something.

We can gut your house later..

You need to purchase the following.

A laundry tray
A Low profile drain sump
http://www.rakuten.com/prod/compact...t&adid=18172&gclid=CLGr-qavsb0CFYZAMgodsx0ArA

Install Laundry tray great for when we fix the rest of the plumbing.

Washer goes to Laundry tray

Laundry tub drains to bucket sump

Bucket sump gos to 4 inch all by itself.

You will also need
A 4 inch PVC thread by glue connector

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/1-2-pvc...e&adid=18172&gclid=CPb3yJKwsb0CFbFaMgodwncAvQ

4 by 2 PVC Wye

http://www.rakuten.com/prod/genova-...e&adid=18172&gclid=CPOcpaawsb0CFfFFMgodPUwA7Q

2 by 1.5 inch bushing

A few 1.5 inch PVC fittings

1 sump check valve 1.5 inch

1.5 inch PVC pipe

4 inch PVC pipe

PVC Glue And PVC Primer

Now from the cute bucket sump y tie in the pvc to the pump it gos to the new 4 inch wye you just installed looking up in front of that used to be clean out.

The brass cleanout plug is removed the 4 inch threaded adaptor with dope and tape screws into it the wye glues into that
A 4 inch cleanout installed in the other side of the wye with a plug
Bush down the 2 inch of the wye to 1.5 inch
It runs to the sump with that nice new 1.5 inch sump check installed above the pump.

Just run the sump vent up to the joist and turn down with 2 90's

About 4 hours of work when you know how.
hey ghost..if iam a homeowner:eek::eek::huh::eek::huh::huh::eek::eek::laughing::laughing: great list ben :thumbup:
 
#7 ·
Amazing!! Another house bought without a presale inspection. Also plumbed by I can glue pipe so I am a plumber. You have Black glued to White Bad sign.... Tee on it's side picking up something.
Come on Ghost how many home inspectors would go right pass that mess without realizing that it was all wrong. i be leave a soon to be home owner should hire an independent inspector for each area of inspection ie plumber for plumbing roofer for roof etc, may cost a lot more but you'll get the real deal that way. :thumbup:
 
#29 · (Edited)
Let us first do the washer. Fix the rest when I see if you can handle this job please.

On the end of your cast iron tee is a clean out Attach your PVC Threaded adapter into the end Use teflon tape and pipe dope before screwing it in with a band wrench. Then you glue your 4 by 2 y on its back install a new pvc cleanout with plug on it's end. Bush down the 2 inch for the pump.


Rest of your plumbing is garbage done by a crappy handyman. You have tee fittings picking up drains matter of fact your old cast was done by farmboy joe...
 
#6 ·
Funny, I just wrote about this not long ago in my blog. Unfortunately that's a ridiculous setup (that if you had a home inspection, hopefully he/she noticed). Not only the fact that the washing machine is being used as a pump, but what's with all the straight TEE's? I bet if you pull that plug out of the main line cleanout, it's full of sludge! Also that cleanout cap has been replaced with an expandable plug. That indicates to me that some sort of sewer maintenance been done. Maybe once, maybe a hundred times. I'd suggest scoping the sewer as well. When the sewer backs up, the first place it will go is into your washing machine.
 
#8 ·
Oh man. This is what I was afraid of. I did have a home inspection done. He didn't even mention it. I'm really dissapointed. So is the problem with the washing machine "grey" water return line only, or the whole darn pvc plumbing setup above it as well? I am moving in this weekend. I will buy that list you provided ghost. I appreciate everyones replies. Do you have a diagram I can follow in regards to the setup you described? I'm good with woodworking. I don't know the first thing about plumbing! Thanks a lot.
 
#17 ·
Yes, that looks like the diagram out of the Liberty 404 installation manual?

The Liberty is a good pump system. It's nice that it's all in one package (with the exception of piping, check valves, etc.)

I would suggest staying away from the pumps at the big box stores.

Sounds like you're pretty handy. I don't think you'll have a problem with DIY.

Check back here often, post lots of pictures, and ask when you're stumped. There are plenty of professionals here that can help walk you through it.
 
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#18 ·
Yes, I believe that is the Liberty diagram. I found it on google images. I'm running out after work to buy the list of supplies Ghost gave and will report back. I have a question up front though. Regarding the vent, where does the vent actually lead to? Will running the vent higher than the sink up the wall and turned down with 2 90's prevent any gas's from escaping with just an open end PVC? Or does the vent connect back into something? Thanks again
 
#28 ·
Because your washer machine is called a gray water waste normally inspectors do not make you tear your house apart to properly vent it. The smell is minimal. The 2 90's is to prevent stuff dropping into the pump. Make sure you take it well above the laundry tray flood rim so if pump fails it doesn't act like a drain.
 
#19 ·
I think it would be best to take some more pictures and post them. Take some a little closer. What's the 4" PVC line coming down from between the floor joists? It looks like it's negative. The 4" cast iron (where the existing cleanout is) appears to be negative also. How did they tie the PVC into the top of that cast iron hub? It looks ajar. I'm about half tempted to tell you rip it all out and start over from where it leaves the foundation wall. Again, I'm not a licensed plumber but know when things aren't right, plumb, or code. Can't tell in your picture where the existing vent is. The vent off your pump will tie into an existing vent, not be left open air.
 
#35 ·
Almost 2024, I'm reading this. I bf bought his house 1 year before me, it's not good. They never updated so the codes remained the same since the late 40? I'm not grounded, my only bathroom runs on vent collects dust along with the light, not separate, plumbing goes down, up across over, all connects one main pipe, also none is vented. I'm a massage therapist 😂, since moved in I've become girl villa. My drain house goes up to hight, standpipe like 6-8 ,inches? 4 inches long... not sure what would happen if I tried mount it run it down floor drain? I'm getting no help turned out that my bf thinks I'm creating the problem.... all my drains, pipes moldy, gross backup everywhere or every drain once a year, now my washer done venting , just wanted to comment, this may almost 10 years old, best one I've found... Here's hoping they figured there's out.
 
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