Hello All,

I am a new homeowner, and would like to know if this upside down washer hookup (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3411923191_fe457190ba_o.jpg) would affect drainage or not.

From what I understand, for standard hookups (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3412756994_162ddec1e5_o.jpg) you just cup the drain line on the drain hole.

So how do I fit a drainline upwards?

Can you post a picture of this settup. Most likely the valves are ''upside'', but the drain still needs to be on the downside. Is this a washer box you speak of? If so, they can usually be mounted with valves coming in the top or bottom, but the drain must always exit the bottom. Please let me know more about this.

He did. Click on the links.

can you post a picture of this settup. most likely the valves are ''upside'', but the drain still needs to be on the downside. Is this a washer box you speak of? If so, they can usually be mounted with valves coming in the top or bottom, but the drain must always exit the bottom. Please let me know more about this.

Thanks for trying to help out. Here are the pictures. I guess I can't tell about the set up of the drain unless we open up the wall? Even if it is set up right behind the wall, how do I fit a drain line upward without having water flowing back out?

Upside down
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/3411923191_212f091a86.jpg?v=0

Standard
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3412756994_87ff516178.jpg?v=0

OK, sorry I overlooked the links. Great pics by the way. Now, on the very bottom pic, you see the round piece on top of the washer box that could take a drain? This would be used for the drain if the box were install upside down. Does your box have a circular 2" spot on the bottom side of it that looks like it could be knocked out? If so, try to break it out with a hammer and screwdriver, best to break it a little and then get a pair of needle nose pliers on it so it doesn't go down the drain when removed. This is where your drain is located. The top side drain hole is not used. If there isn't a drain hole knockout on the bottom of washer box, I would suggest drilling some holes in the bottom side to locate drain. If there is indeed a drain hooked to top of washer box, it is useless, sorry, it will not work. You are correct that you can't hook a drain hose upward.

I do not understand, is that last picture the same box as the first picture? The top picture is clearly upside down and a real mess. You can cut out a hole in the bottom with a 2" hole saw but you need to open the walls to get to the drain line. Water isn't going to drain up so tell us or show us where the drain is inside the wall. Some of the folks here may disagree with this but a new code for 2009 would require that drain to be a 3" line.

The best thing would be to shut off the water - remove the valves and the drain cap and pull the box to see what's back there.

Clearly someone before you was using it as is. My guess is they had a flex drain line and just snaked it back in the drain until it hung in place.

While your at it - that outlet needs to be changed out to a 15 or 20 amp. GFI if it's not on a GFI run already. It has a 15 amp outlet in it now - in a house that looks that new the feed line should already be 20 amp..

Istobita....

That washing machine box is not upside down... it is just another type of washing machine box.

Do what mygirlsdad77 suggested... look for the knockout plug located in the bottom of the box and knock it out if not loosened already. I am quite confident that the waste pipe will be where it is supposed to be.

And Bob... I thought that we all agreed that a 3" drain for washing machine was voted down 100%..? Iamgrowler came in and confirmed this the other day.

MARK

Mark nailed it! These are called "Double Outlet Washer Boxes"(see images) and have provisions to connect the drain on top or bottom. Regards, Tom

Thanks for clearing this up Mark, Speedball. These boxes are quite common. Sometimes its just more convenient to have the water valves come in the top.

I am late to this conversation, but... we also sometimes install w/m recessed box upside down so we don't have to turn pipe 180 degrees in order to connect it from the bottom. Most of the recessed boxes have knock-outs on both top and bottom...

Istobita....

That washing machine box is not upside down...it is just another type of washing machine box.

Do what mygirlsdad77 suggested...look for the knockout plug located in the bottom of the box and knock it out if not loosened already. I am quite confident that the waste pipe will be where it is supposed to be.

MARK

Thank you Mark for the detailed clarification. It does have what seem like a knock out nob at the bottom of the box, but it was sealed and really tight, so without you guys telling me it's OK to knock it out, I wouldn't have dreamed to drill a hole pass the nob.

I have contacted the seller and they will have the plumber open up the box to double check.

Thanks once again!

The best thing would be to shut off the water - remove the valves and the drain cap and pull the box to see what's back there.

Clearly someone before you was using it as is. My guess is they had a flex drain line and just snaked it back in the drain until it hung in place.

While your at it - that outlet needs to be changed out to a 15 or 20 amp. GFI if it's not on a GFI run already. It has a 15 amp outlet in it now - in a house that looks that new the feed line should already be 20 amp..

Thank you for your suggestion. It is actually an older house (from 1966) remodeled. So is 15 amp not going to support the new type of electrical appliances? Is it more dangerous?

Mark nailed it! These are called "Double Outlet Washer Boxes"(see images) and have provisions to connect the drain on top or bottom. Regards, Tom

Thanks a lot for the pics Speedball, I never would have thought there are two types, I simply thought the plumber had it installed the wrong way... :o

Quote from home owner:
I have contacted the seller and they will have the plumber open up the box to double check.
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

This sounds like a good answer to the question to me.

Back in post #6 I asked some questions which were never answered like what is that second picture from, its is clearly not the same box in picture #1. Plus I never could figure out if there had been a previously installed washer or where it drained. Please let us know how this turns out for you.

I have contacted the seller and they will have the plumber open up the box to double check.
Double check what? If the washer box accepts what the washer's discharging into it then what's to check.? Regards, Tom