Replies

1. 
   Frankie | Nov 27, 2002 05:33pm | #1

   They are called laundry boxes and are mounted inside the wall. HD sells them in three dif versions.

   1. Just the box and you buy the valves.

   2. The box with integral valves. A lever turns both valves on or both off. Good for when you go on vacation. Less chance of hoses bursting.

   3. Now there is one that has an integral electrical outlet you plug your washing machine into. When the machine is running the vavles open. When the cycle is done the valves close. The best!

   Each of these units has a hole to attach a drain pipe to. The washer discharge hose then hooks onto the box and inside the drain pipe. Each comes with installation instructions.

   We will not install a washing machine witthout one of these units.

   
   

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   Edited 11/27/2002 10:11:11 AM ET by Frankie

1. 
   ErnieNagy | Nov 27, 2002 08:23pm | #3

   Thanks for the info, that's just what I wanted to hear, that there is something out there to solve the problem.

2. 
   BossHog | Nov 27, 2002 05:55pm | #2

   I've seen them set up to drain into a 2" vertical pipe. Just make sure the top of the pipe is level with the top of the washer, so you don't siphon the water out of the washing machine...........

   If blind people wear dark glasses, why don't deaf people wear earmuffs?

3. 
   JDRHI | Nov 27, 2002 08:47pm | #4

   If you wanna save even more floorspace in you laundry area, check out http://www.dryerbox.com.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

1. 
   WayneL5 | Nov 28, 2002 12:37am | #5

   2" drain is more than adequate, but don't forget to install a trap.  Usually the top, open end of the drain pipe is about 4 feet above the floor, with the trap about floor level (or in the basement if the washer is on the first floor).

1. 
   EdJW | Nov 28, 2002 01:08am | #6

   Do you know if 2" is code?  I have a code book that says a "2 inch stand pipe", I wonder if it's acceptable to go into a 1-1/2" trap and drain?

1. 
   WayneL5 | Nov 28, 2002 01:14am | #7

   I don't know.  I used 2" only because the wall box (see message 2 above) took a 2" PVC pipe.

4. 
   joeh | Nov 28, 2002 01:40am | #8

   Ernie, lots of answers here, but I have a question., Is this a washer in an old house? With old drain lines that are half closed due to rust and sludge from 50 years of use? Is the sink filling up when the machine drains, or does the water level stay constant in the sink?

   The sink may be necessary to provide a reservoir for the drain water to allow it to slowly drain away. The washer can put out way more water than an old pipe can handle. Same thing with a 2" stand pipe into a 1½" line. Water everywhere after the pipe fills up.

   Joe H

5. 
   eldereldo | Nov 28, 2002 01:57am | #9

   2" pipe is code.  And you need it, I installed a 1.5" pipe because I had no room for anything else and the old drain went outside and kept freezing.  I have to be careful not to put to much soap in a load or the suds in the drain actually can cause the water to backup the stand pipe and spill out.  Luckly this was only a temporary thing until I move the house and the laundry goes into a different location where there is room for the proper pipe.

   Robert

6. 
   HammerHarry | Nov 28, 2002 03:12am | #10

   I have never seen a washing machine drain into anything other than a 2:" dia standpipe; put the top of the pipe level with the top of the washer, and make sure there is a trap on the bottom.

   However, if you ever have to clean up really messy laundry, or other messy stuff (mud, dog poop on shoes, etc etc), you'll want that laudry tub.  In most of the floor plans I looked at last year, there was not laundry tub, and DW and I ruled them out immediately....

1. 
   rjw | Nov 28, 2002 04:29am | #11

   2" is the current code; it has been 1 1/2 in the past,

   Some of the new high end washers discharge water so fast (>17gpm) that 2" is right at the limit of it's capacity.  There was an article on this in one of the recent plumber on-line mags.

   If you're putting in a standpipe, consider going to 2 1/2 or 3 for future developments.

   ________________________________________________

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