I am working on replacing a vinyl floor with a ceramic tile floor (you can see this in another thread that I've started recently).

I have just removed all of the vinyl floor and I am ready to start the actual project. This room also has our washer/dryer system. Our old floor had a washer tray permanently installed, including a floor drain in the middle of it (fully plumbed). The tray was cracked and damaged; so it's been removed.

Although I am sorely tempted to simply cut the plumbing and cap it (i.e. remove the drain entirely), my wife wants to keep the floor drain and she'd like a permanently mounted washer tray. I've gone to Home Depot and Lowe's and they only have non-permanently mountable (i.e. removable) washer trays.

Any suggestions of places where I could get a permanent washer tray?

Do you have a plumbing supply store near you.. I think that might help

Hi Fraz...

To get a pan for your situation, most likely you will be best to pop over to a local sheet metal fabrication shop and have them make a pan up for you... no getting around it really! Do not go to a plumbing supply store for this as they will only call the local sheet meatl shop and then mark it up 25%... ;) Be sure to measure the size of the pan and know how high you want the walls of the pan to be.

Pans can be copper or galvanized sheet metal... I recommend the galvanized here. Have the company install the drain/strainer directly into the pan so that all you need to do is connect the old pipe up using some pipe and a SHIELDED CLAMP (see image) to connect old/new together.

How is the trap at the drain kept wet? Is there a trap primer?. there should be? Let us know if you want to discuss more here... glad to help.

MARK

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Mark and mtconc: Thanks for the suggestions. I was thinking about getting a plastic washer tray, as that's what I had before -- I hadn't thought of a galvanized metal tray.

Also, the plumbing is PVC, so I don't even need the shielded clamp... that's the good news.

I don't know how the trap for the drain is kept wet -- I've been wondering that myself lately. My best guess is that it's connecting somehow to the washer-standpipe and that keeps it wet. I'm sure that I'll find out tomorrow when I remove some of the subfloor to get at the plumbing.

My bet...

There's nothing keeping the trap wet. You may not have a trap... could just be a pipe connected to the outside in some way. If so, stick with that... ;)

If not, and there is a PTRAP present that is not kept wetted by something then you will need to install a trap primer OR you will need count on pouring a gallon of water into the washer pan on a monthly basis.

Keep us posted...

MARK

Hi Mark:

I never did figure out whether there was a trap. I was able to cut the old PVC and add the new plumbing without cutting into the floor.

In the end, I basically plumbed it all like the drain of a tile shower -- it isn't the prettiest, but it'll be underneath the washer so it'll never be seen.

My guess after reading your last post is that there is a trap primer already installed (although I don't even know that is... ). The house is 15 years old and the cities inspectors are more than a little fanatical about making sure that houses are built to code -- I cannot imagine them not catching a problem like that.

Thank you very much for all of your help!
Tim

Hi Tim...

Sounds like you're all set for now... thank you for the update and the positive rating!

MARK

Hi,
I am looking for washer pan for my washing machine, that is a 25 x 27. I don't want it too be permanent. I am planning on moving it sometime down the road. I do however want it to drain, preferably at the back of the pan. The house is pier and beam.
What advice do you have for me?

Hi NF

Your best bet willprobably be to pop over to a local sheet metal fabrication company and have them make up a custom pan for you... should be a free quote and pretty cheap in most places... :)

Mark