a few years ago i moved my washer and dryer up to the second floor and just recently i discovered that i am required by code to install a drain in the floor underneath in case of leaks and or overflows. now i do not know where to start or find information on how to go about this and i wonder what kind of floor i will need and how large a drain is required (i also have a laundry tub)the washer and dryer are stacked (dryer on top) and are up against the outside wall and the drain stack that i will be connecting to is in the center of the house. come to think of i do not know how much slope is required and i presume i need a vent and what kind of floor do i need ect. whew!! any ideas out there.
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Um was the drain code in effect when you moved the washer upstairs--- or are they comming door to door & checkin if everyone has the drain?
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No, actually i just found out about it recently and being the good citizen that i am i though i should install it, especially since i am renovating the floor below and everything is open anyways.
just cause it's code doesn't mean it's a great idea..... 99.9% of all new codes & laws are put there because the insurance industry thinks it will say them money..., I'm not say'n it's a bad or good idea... but I wouldn't put an overflow'n washing machine in the high risk zone... good to have if you want the pan... but for it to be "code" is just about stupid.... as risks go... it's always argued that "it costs so little and would save so much" maybe so... just all theses things that are so cheap to do while you are building "for our own protection" Pizz me off... ok do we have a RANT board ... thats mine for the day so far...
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If you do tie into the house drains then you need a trap.But the trap will go dry. So use one of these instead.http://www.trapguard.com/
Can you get access to the floor joist bays under the washer area ?
If so, here's a possible solution:
Assumption - the drain does not (by code) need to be connected to the house plumbing.
Install a washing machine 'pan' that the washer/dryer sit in. Plumb the drain in the pan directly out the side of the house using something in the order of 1 - 1.5" pvc piping.
The only time it will ever actually be used is if/when your washing machine leaks.
I just did a similar set-up in a new house we just built. The 'pans' are plastic, appx. 36" square, with a lip around the edges that is appx. 2-3" high. I don't have the exact price for the pan but I'd guess maybe $50.00 or so.
When our plumber suggested this for our house I was a bit skeptical of cold air coming in thru the pipe during the cold weather (we're in NH) but it has not been an issue. Ours does not have a trap in it because the outside end is 'open' and we didn't want to take a chance on the water in the trap freezing. I stuck a small piece of screen on the end of the pipe outside to prevent bugs getting into it.
Check out http://www.floodsaver.com.
They have a few models to choose from and are reasonably priced. I've installed a few of them including my own house. My laundry is over my kitchen so I did not want to worry about a flood. I think I paid under 200 Canadian for the unit and shipping across the country. Another thing worth installing is the oatery box with the single lever double throw ball valve. I trained my wife to always turn off the water to the washer when it is not in use. It was easy after I first trained her do do all the laundry!
Have a good day
Cliffy
The big issue is having the washing machine flood the house. The floor drain is an emergency back up, just in case. Washing machine floods are one of the top insurance claims. If you are disciplined enough, you can install a lever valve and make sure you turn off the water when you aren't using the machine. Also, change your hoses and gaskets every couple of years in case they get weak and burst. If the washer blows a hose in the machine, you will want a back up drain.
These can be fairly simple since they may be able to just drain outside. You could elevate the floor enough under the washer to run a drain to the outside wall. You could just exit the wall with an exterior pipe or run to the basement and hook up to the sewer or even the perimeter drain system. As someone else said, you can't use an ordinary trap if you hook into the waste plumbing. There are a number of companies that make drain pans.
http://www.floodsaver.com/
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