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Laundry Room Plumbing Design Dilemma

Washing machine drain pan

3 years ago

During the inspection for a house we are purchasing, it was recommended that a drain pain be installed under the washer. We have never had a drain pan in any previous house we have owned and have never had a problem. Where does the water drain from the pan? Is a floor drain required? Thanks for your help.

Featured Answer

Jen K (7b, 8a)

3 years ago

I never had a drain pan underneath my washing machine mostly because we always had one story homes. However we're renting in a two story and the laundry is upstairs so we asked the landlords to install a washing machine pan. The only way I knew there should have been one there is because there was a PVC pipe drain. I'm surprised the owners didn't want to protect their upstairs and I had to suggest it. Most water leaks are slow so a water pan will catch it so we have time to fix it.

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Comments (10)

vinmarks
3 years ago
We had a drain pan under our front loader at our old house. I believe the back of the pan had a hole where pvc piping was attached to drain it. I can’t remember where it actually drained to.

We don’t have a drain pan under ours current washer. We have a pedestal which has a drawer. Not sure how you would open the drawer if it sat in a pan.
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JAN MOYER
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The water has to drain to a plumbed line, often to a basement water line, just as water runs down a sink. I'd not fret over it........few folks bother.
flopsycat1 thanked JAN MOYER
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kudzu9
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
If your washer's water supply hose bursts, a drain pan, even a properly plumbed one, is not going to catch most of the water. I don't think these pans are of much use, except for a very slow leak that isn't spraying and possibly goes into the pan. I take two other precautions, though: 1) I have a battery powered leak alarm that sits on the floor of the laundry room and goes off if there is even a film of water on the floor, and 2) I shut off the supply valves when I am going on vacation. You can buy a leak alarm for about $10: Leak Alarm
Melissa R
3 years ago
I had never ever heard of a drain pan under a washer until I moved to FL. First time I've ever seen one and I'm old. Needless to say, I don't think one is needed.
flopsycat1 thanked Melissa R
formulaross20
3 years ago
If you install a drain pan it should be either drained as stated above, or install a water sensing shutoff valve that shuts off the water supply if the pan starts filling with water. Something like this:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-0004646-A2C-WB-IntelliFlow-Automatic-Washing-Machine-Water-Shutoff-Valve-w-Leak-Sensor?gclid=Cj0KCQjwo-aCBhC-ARIsAAkNQiuixrTRha-tgMoQ0Ehqxg2tyRnWd8cZrJfgJUvXCH1PFcllababwwkaAu73EALw_wcB

Now, do I have a setup like this/ No.
flopsycat1 thanked formulaross20
flopsycat1
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks to all for responding! One less thing to add to the to-do list!
3onthetree
3 years ago
There are pans for water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers. They are there to mitigate your risk in damage to what's around them. Because of the amount of possible water, the WH and W is plumbed with an air gap to over a floor drain or run to expel onto the ground.
flopsycat1 thanked 3onthetree
3onthetree
3 years ago
In addition to the shutoff valve w/ leak sensor posted above, they have those to attach to the main supply next to the house's gate valve for a leak in any of the house's supply plumbing (wifi sensors?).

They also make auto-shutoff hoses, 2 types I think, 1 that senses an increase in water pressure, and 1 that has a double-wall hose sensing if a small leak occurs.

Not sure of success or longevity on any of them. The pan is for a leak within the machine.
flopsycat1 thanked 3onthetree
kudzu9
3 years ago
3onthetree-

I was interested in the auto-shutoff valves several years ago, but at the time there were mixed reviews about their effectiveness, so I passed. I'm not arguing against them, but people should be aware they can be problematic in some situations. For those who are interested, it might be helpful to scan the reviews for this unit made by Watts, which is a reliable company:

Watts water shutoff valve
flopsycat1 thanked kudzu9

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