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irmoguy · Aug 22, 2009, 09:49 PM

I am moving washer and dryer down to basement, directly below present place. So some things appear to be straight forward but... draining washing macine?
There is a clean out drain pipe in next room, total of 16 feet away. (4' 90 degree turn, 7' 90 degree turn and 4' . The clean out valve is 24" above the ground.

What do I needed to do?
What do I need to now?
It was suggusted to use a pop up vavle for venting...

Part 2 dryer vent is above @ 8 feet is this OK to send vent up?

Thanks

massplumber2008 · Aug 23, 2009, 05:11 AM

Irmoguy:

With any luck the old washing machine drain pipe extends into the basement and you will only need to cap off the washing machine upstairs and then connect into the drain pipe in the basement. This might also allow you to use the existing vent... ;)

The cleanout drain pipe you speak about is most likely the main drain cleanout. You can connect into this cleanout only if you extend the pipe to include a new main cleanout.

You will need to come off the 4" main pipe with a 2" pipe and install a 2" PTRAP with a 30 standpipe and an 1.5" vent at the washing machine. You can probably run the 1.5" vent up and connect into the old washer vent... avoids needing the mechanical vent you mentioned.

The dryer vent can go vertical with no issue but be prepared to clean it out once a year to avoid any lint build up. If this is a GAS DRYER you will definitely need to clean yearly... ;)

Let us know what you think...

MARK

irmoguy · Aug 23, 2009, 09:58 AM

My biggest question... How high can I start the drain? The maindrain cleanout is 24" and the distance is 16' If I make the drain 36" with a stand pipe of 18" the water is traveling up hill (yuk)...

Also how far from the Ptrap must the vent be?

Thanks for all your help
J

massplumber2008 · Aug 23, 2009, 10:59 AM

Starting at 24" off the floor and running 16 feet of pipe at 1/4" pitch per foot of pipe will leave you at about 28" off the floor.

Install a long sweep elbow and then a 2" sanitary tee fitting which will leave you at about 36" to center of the new ptrap. The 2" sanitary tee will reduce to 1.5" and continue vertical for the vent (connect to washing machine vent upstairs).

With 36" to center of ptrap and a 30" standpipe that should leave you at about 66" off the finish floor as a maximum.

This is perfect for the washing machine to discharge as all washers are rated to pump at least 5 feet above the washer itself.

You are also supposed to install a cleanout at every 90 degree change of direction you mentioned above, but if that is undesirable then you can install a DANDY CLEAN OUT (called a test tee) at the start of the drain (back at the main connection) and again at the PTRAP for the washing machine... that will cover you nicely.

PS: You could also shorten the standpipe to 24"... but I didn't recommend it... O.K.? :)

See image below for clarity... ;)

MARK

irmoguy · Aug 23, 2009, 02:13 PM

The only thing I see above is the Ptrap. Can I install a pop up valve instead of connecting to former vent? Is this not a good practice?

Thanks for the help :)

massplumber2008 · Aug 23, 2009, 02:20 PM

The vent is probably in the wall.

You can, however, install a mechanical vent (called an AAV or air admittance valve)... see images (either one works). These screw into a FEMALE ADAPTER... ;)... and get installed either on the vertical or the horizontal as drawn below.

They are not plumbing code legal in most areas without permission, but they work well. Just be sure to keep it accessible and if you start to smell a sewer smell down the road know that it will need to be replaced!

Good luck!

MARK