How Much Slope Does A Washer Drain Need?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Practically speaking, what you want to do is fine. The

minimum horizontal slope is 1/4 inch per foot and the max is 3 inches per foot unless vertical

. the inlet of the washer drain must be above the height of the washer. This is usually 36 to 38 inches minimum for floor seated washers.

What is code for washing machine drain?

According to the Universal Plumbing Code, the standard for washing machine drain size is

2 inches

. The P-trap should be between 6 and 18 inches high from the floor, while the pipe should be between 18 and 30 inches high from the floor.

Does washer drain need to be elevated?

In order for the drain hose on your Top Load washer to function properly, the drain must be

at least 30′′ up from the floor and less than 8 feet high

. In order for the drain hose on your Front Load washer to function properly, the drain must be at least 24′′ up from the floor and less than 8 feet high.

What is the proper pitch for a drain pipe?

The ideal slope of any drain line is

1⁄4 inch per foot of pipe

. In other words, for every foot the pipe travels horizontally, it should be dropping 1⁄4 inch vertically. Many drains either have too little slope or too much slope. That’s right, it is possible to have too much slope in your drain lines.

Does a washer drain need AP Trap?

When hooking up a new washing machine, some people look for a convenient drain line and simply install a pipe that extends to the washer. … The lack of a P-trap exposes the area to sewer fumes and the lack of venting will cause the drain to run sluggishly and overflow.

Washers, like all fixtures, need a trap

.

Where should a washing machine drain to?

The washing machine drain hose goes down

about two feet into the plumbing drain standpipe

. (In some machines, the drain hose may simply be clamped onto the side of a washtub, though this is not an acceptable practice anymore.) From there, the water then goes into a drain trap.

What is the maximum height for a washing machine drain?

Washing machine manuals typically specify a minimum height of 39” for the entry of the drain hose into the standpipe or faucet box, and a maximum height of

96” (8 feet)

.

How do you calculate the slope of a drain?

Here is an example: if your final drain length is 15 feet and you are going to slope the line at the minimum 1/4-inch per foot, the drain has to slope a total of 3 3/4 inches from the start of the pipe to the end. To determine the slope,

multiply the slope by the length of the line, in this

case, 1/4 by 15.

What happens when you have too much slope in drain pipe?


It has to do with the water speed

. The waste will get stuck in the line up if the water speed is too fast and the slope is too steep. You can either use a tie into a vertical drop or use a 45 degree slope.

How many inches per foot is a 2% slope?

How many inches per foot is a 2% grade? 100 foot divided by 12 inches increase by 2% =

12.24 inches

,which is just a bit short of 1/4′′ increase every foot of the 100 feet.

How do I get my washer to drain outside?

The basic solution for running a washing machine drain outside is to

replace the drainage pipe with one that leads to your backyard

. From there, you can choose to connect the piping to the irrigation network that you use to water your backyard or add it to a greywater tank.

How far below drain should P-trap be?

However, the Universal Plumbing Code stipulates that the total developed length of all tailpieces, arms and fittings connecting the drain to the p-trap must be

24 inches or less

.

Why is s trap illegal?

Back to “S” traps – The reason “S” traps aren’t allowed is

because they have the potential to suck, or ‘siphon’, water out of the trap as the water flows down the drain

. … Believe it or not, enough water to break the water seal at the trap and let sewer gases come in to the house.

How often should you drain your washing machine?

Since wet and humid environments are the breeding ground for bacteria, it’s important to drain your washing machine and let it get dry, too. Generally, the washing machine should be cleaned

once every month

. However, this can be made difficult due to the built-up residue.

Do you need a vent for a washing machine drain?

All plumbing fixtures—including washing

machines—must be vented

. Improperly vented drains can be sluggish and noisy, and can emit hazardous fumes. Properly vented drains allow the P-trap to do its job: prevent sewer gases from escaping into your home.

Can you run GREY water on the ground?

Generally,

as long as your gray tank contains water that was used for washing, it’s legal to dump it on the ground

. Note: Some boondockers have stated that this only applies to gray water from a shower or sink that was captured in a tub or bucket, but water that was allowed to drain into the gray tank is not.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.