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View Full Version : Can I tie a wet bar sink into the floor drain by the furnace?


ksatc1
Aug 19, 2010, 09:48 AM
I would like to put in a wet bar. The location of the wet bar will be about 2 feet from the floor drain by the furnace. Is it OK to drain into this?

massplumber2008
Aug 19, 2010, 09:56 AM
Hi Ksatc1

If the wet bar will only drain liquids and the floor drain is properly vented and trapped then yes, you can connect to the drain system INDIRECTLY by keeping the drain pipe from the sink about 3" above the floor drain.

You may want to consult with a local plumbing inspector to be sure here... ;)

Mark

ksatc1
Aug 19, 2010, 11:57 AM
Hi Ksatc1

If the wet bar will only drain liquids and the floor drain is properly vented and trapped then yes, you can connect to the drain system INDIRECTLY by keeping the drain pipe from the sink about 3" above the floor drain.

You may want to consult with a local plumbing inspector to be sure here...;)

Mark
HI Mark,
Very gratefull for the reply since so far I have had different answers to this.

Yes this will only drain fluids. Why the 3 inches above the drain and not a small pipe into drain? The drain will be very close to a wall so I would be worried about splash onto the wall. How would I know if it is trapped and vented correctly?

mygirlsdad77
Aug 19, 2010, 05:20 PM
Lets just assume the floor drain is trapped and vented correctly. The reason you need the space between the sink drain and the floor drain is to create an air gap, (so no nastys from the floor drain don't contaminate the sink.) In my area one inch air gap would suffice. Definitely check with local inspector to be sure. Good luck and please let us know what they have to say.

ksatc1
Aug 20, 2010, 03:52 PM
So far I have had two plumbers in. One has said no. The other will do it for cash but he seem leery about it and seemed to jack the price up. I called the building inspector, I don't know if we have a plumbing inspector live in smaller town. Anyway the building inspector said although it wasn't ideal that he wouldn't right it up as a code violation, but also said that I might find it tough to get a plumber to do it.

massplumber2008
Aug 20, 2010, 03:56 PM
Why have a plumber run a pipe over to this drain... do it yourself... especially if the building inspector said he wouldn't write it up as a code violation?

You can leave the pipe an inch above the drain as recommended by MGD77. You may also be able to purchase a floor drain funnel to focus the water into the floor drain... attaches to most floor drains.

Back to you...

ksatc1
Aug 20, 2010, 03:57 PM
So far I have had two plumbers in. One has said no that they would want to break concrete. The other will do it for cash but he seemed leery about it and jacked the price up. I called the building inspector, I don't know if we have a plumbing inspector. I live in smaller town. Anyway the building inspector said although it wasn't ideal that he wouldn't write it up as a code violation, but also said that I might find it tough to get a plumber to do it. I guess the issue must be the worry about the gas that may come from the drain when its so close to a gas furnace. Although, I will only be putting water down the drain. Trying one more plumber.

massplumber2008
Aug 20, 2010, 04:00 PM
No issue on sewer gasses as long as the drain is trapped and vented properly.. ask them about that..

Why not do this yourself?

ksatc1
Aug 20, 2010, 04:01 PM
That is a possible. I have never personally sweated pipe but have friends that have. Just was trying to feel more at ease about it.

massplumber2008
Aug 20, 2010, 04:06 PM
In Boston and New York, two of the toughest places regarding plumbing code, running a wet bar sink drain and connecting it to a properly trapped and vented floor drain is an everyday practice. ALL restaurants do it this way.. no issues!

They also sell SHARKBITE or GATORBITE fittings that require no soldering... great invention for someone that never soldered. These are simple push-type fittings.

If that fails to float your boat check out this video on soldering:

doqoEJJOdYA

I don't love this video but it is a quick introduction.

Hope that helps.

Mark

massplumber2008
Aug 20, 2010, 04:14 PM
I don't like that video... that guy burned the fitting and broke a few other rules!

Looks like I need to make one of my own and post it online here soon!

mygirlsdad77
Aug 22, 2010, 11:56 AM
Looking forward to it Mark.

speedball1
Aug 22, 2010, 02:22 PM
My local code mandates a two inch air gap between the pipe and floor drain. We do not require a trap on the sink if it's directed to a indirect waste on a trapped and vented fixture.
Also, I would run the drainage in PVC. Good luck, Tom