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Adding a utility sink to old washer standpipe

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hello,

I am the furthest person from a plumber one can be, so forgive me if I sound ignorant in my wording or thought process. I'm looking to move a utility sink from my garage to my basement. Our washer and dryer was moved upstairs and the existing plumbing is still installed and functional.

If I cut down the existing stand pipe, and build a platform to raise the drain above the p trap, will there be any issues with this? My thought was to have the plumbing drop down from the sink a couple inches, then a straight pipe running back to the standpipe.

The pipe in the middle of the photo is the vent.

I was quoted over $1,000 for a plumber to do this, but it would be totally to code, and they were replacing a bunch of existing piping. The P trap and all that piping would be dropped below the part you can open in the bottom left of the photo (no idea what that is called). That's way more in depth then I want to do, just a quick functional fix is what I'm looking for.

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Edit: Make sure you click the photo to see the whole image, as it's being cut off in the post

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Comments (3)

klem1
2 years ago
If heighth of sink doesn'r bother you,I see no problem with doing it as you say. I reccomend using a solvent weld to compression , Fernco 90* or other sealed coupling where stand pipe is cut and sink drain line connects..
Patrick Green
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you very much. I figured as much, but wanted to be sure. I also do not mind the height difference as I'm 6'3" and would prefer it higher than a standard sink. My back always hurts when hunched over a sink for a while, and this sink will actually get a bunch of use by myself.
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Code requires that a washing machine must discharge into an approved indirect waste receptor. An approved waste receptor is either a washing machine standpipe or a sink. Prior to the mid 80's both a kitchen sink and a washing machine standpipe were 1-1/2" pipe, however in the 80's they changed the code where a washing machine standpipe is now required to be 2", but if the standpipe was installed before the code change an 1-1/2" line still meets code. Now in regards to the washer standpipe being connected to the kitchen sink drain, not only is that fully code compliant, there is nothing in the code that would prevent you from discharging the washer directly into the kitchen sink, in fact. some small portable washing machines for apartment dwellers use the same type of hook up as a portable dishwasher, simply connecting to the kitchen sink faucet.
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Thanks all! Here's some followups: OK, I gather that the most problematic is the addition of toilet. The current toilet is near an ouside wall on the other side of which is an outdoor balcony, which itself can easily be turned into an enclosed room. After toilet, Is the next-most problematic - adding a dryer vent? Or is the next-most difficult - draining a wash-machine? Above all: Is there any URL covering all the above scenario's geared to dummies? Basically I'd love diagrams on a one-page printable sheet. P.S. I'm not sure if there's a concrete slab under bldg. It's a condo (apt.) one flight up inside a building. There are 2 levels of apts. beneath it, since it's graded, with the lowest level opening to ground at rear, and entry level opening to ground at front.
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Mark, The pump could be used. I had to do an emergency something similar over a Christmas holiday. I grabbed one of those Rubbermaid containers with a lid on it we had laying around, dropped the pump in making sure the float wouldn't snag on anything, cut some holes in the lid to match the piping, added a check valve right at the outlet of the pump (stops sewer or septic gases. I do suggest venting it. Now, when I added up all the costs if I would have bought everything...It would have come to about $125-$150. I was in Home Depot this evening after I had read your post earlier. They have a great under sink pump that is completely sealed and made for the job for $198.00. If you are a Veteran or know one, HD gives a 10% discount for anything over $100. Just show them a copy of your DD214. If you are a regular shopper, they'll copy the DD214, shrink it down to credit card size for easier future use.
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"I think the question is whether there are any regulations governing this issue, like, does the sink have to hold enough water for one cycle of laundry in case he drain plugs. " No regulations. You could discharge into a standpipe and have NO place to collect the water if the drain clogs. It depends on how much space you have and how much risk you are willing to take if the drain clogs.
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HU-867564120
2 years ago
Ditto klem.

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