Want to install a washing machine in my basement. Originally I was planning on tapping into my home plumbing (I have low line plumbing) but decided it would be better to run the waste into a dry well made of a couple of 55 gal. drums. I've read in a couple of places that the pumps on most washing machines are not designed to pump the waste up. Is this true? What would be the best way to handle getting the water up the 8 or so feet up and 20 or so feet out to the dry well. I'm assuming I need a trap and it needs to be vented? What happens to the water in the upward part of the system? Does it flow back into the washing machine when the pump stops? Thanks for any design / configuration tips you can give.
Washing machine in basement.
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Maybe I wasn't clear. I want to not discharge the washing machine waste water into my septic system. I want to bury two 55 gal drums at grade (totally separate from the septic system) and dispose of the washing machine water there.danpik said:
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Those 55 gal. drums will rust out faster than you think, especially below grade. I'd suggest you look into a storm water leaching system that can be purchased at Lowes or H.D. costs $73.46...run a pipe to it and the discharge will disperse below the surface.
At first I was against dumping the water straight into the ground. However I now recall seeing a gray water irrigation system on Ask TOH. The system diverted the washing machine discharge to a storage tank for later use on plants. I suppose if you really want to keep the water out of your septic system, there's no harm. I think you can get drums made out of plastic.
Im guessing by your statement you have a septic system since you say all sewage goes into the ground. If you are on well water be careful how close you place it to your well. In my area if you have sewer available what you are purposing to do is a big no no.
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