[frazwood]

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?

[mtconc]

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

[massplumber2008]

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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[frazwood]

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.

[massplumber2008]

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

[frazwood]

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

[massplumber2008]

Hi Tim...

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

MARK

[nofarms]

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?

[massplumber2008]

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