How to Connect a Laundry Sink and Washing Machine to the Same Drain?
Most basements have a limited amount of space and plumbing connections. In this case, both the washer and laundry sink can have the same drain.
In order to connect a sink to a drain inlet, you must install a plumbing fixture named a tee if it does not already exist. With this arrangement, you can join the sink drain pipe to the washing machine standpipe.
Let’s discuss connecting a laundry sink and washing machine to the same drain. Here’s the step-by-step guide.
Can A Washer and A Sink Share Drain?
A drain tap is required on every drain, and the plumbing code has established standards regarding the size and distance from the fixture trap.
Depending on how close they are to each other, you may be able to connect a washing machine and a kitchen sink with a single vent.
How to Connect A Laundry Sink and Washing Machine to the Same Drain?
If your laundry services room is too small and you want to connect the sink and washer in the same drain, you must have a few necessary things.
Tools You Will Need
- Pliers
- Wrench
- Plumber’s glue
- PVC hand saw
- Measuring stick
- PVC Y-fitting
- Utility knife
- Safety glasses
- The dual-head brass pipe splitter
- A small piece of sandpaper
- Cold & hot flexible tubing
- Permanent marker
- Flashlight (optional)
After collecting the tools, you need to follow specific steps. Take a look!
Step 1
The most crucial step is to shut off the main water supply. First, measure the drainpipe to ensure it is clear. To determine the distance between the pipe connection and the ground, you must perform this step.
Locate your existing washer line. Pay attention to where the drainpipe enters the wall or floor. You can now mark the drainpipe of your washer using the measurement you just took.
Precisely at this point, you will need to join the Y-fitting. As a result of this fitting, the washroom’s drain and the utility sink drain can be separated.
Step 2
Take a pipe cutter or hand saw to the existing drain pipe and cut it out, going up around the vent pipe connected above it and then to the place where you just cut it out.
It is easy to see that cutting this piece off means cutting off the horizontal T-fitting, where water enters the drain pipe for your washer.
Make sure to smooth out any rough or uneven edges on the inside of the pipes you just cut to avoid loose connections caused by the rough edges.
Step 3
You will now attach the PVC Y-shaped fitting to the drainpipe with the plumber’s glue. You will need to connect one end of the Y-adapter to the drain of your washing machine.
To attach the fitting to the venting pipe, join the top arm of the fitting. According to the instructions, the third and final arm should be connected to the drain pipe of the utility sink. Be sure that all connections are tight, secure, and waterproof in the end.
Step 4
After putting the drain in, it’s time to install the water lines. Locate the cold and hot water supply lines near your washing machine. Upon inspecting the water pipe, you will notice that it is fitted with a single fitting.
In each cold and hot water connection, disconnect the water pipe at this point. It is necessary to cut the line if the fitting is unavailable and the tube is continuous.
To make the pipe fit between the washer and the utility sink, cut it midway. At this point, you can thread a pipe using a threading tool if necessary. Ensure you have a bucket nearby to catch any drips resulting from standing water in the lines.
Step 5
You can now connect the pipe splitter to both the cold and hot water lines. Make sure that your connection is secure. You can use a wrench to ensure that the attachments are sealed and secured.
With both a hot and cold pipe, you will have two separate lines; one runs to the sink, and the second goes to the washer. Don’t forget to connect either the cold or hot water pipes to the splitter.
Once you have accurately secured the connections, reconnect the washer to the waterline (existing or new). Again, ensure that you reattach the lines using a wrench or pliers.
Step 6
It is almost time to connect the washer and utility sink. It’s now only a matter of connecting the hoses that will supply hot and cold water to your utility sink.
Use a long enough tube to reach your sink and hook it up to the hot and cold lines of your utility sink through the pipe splitter you installed in the previous step.
To distinguish between cold and hot water lines easily, get blue tubing for the cold water line and red tubing for the hot water line. Make sure you attach each tubing to the correct sequence and then tighten it with a wrench to prevent leaks.
Step 7
The last step is connecting the cold and hot pipes to the utility sink faucet. Be sure to recheck the connections to ensure they are tight and secured.
You should turn on the water supply to verify that there are no leaks and that the water runs quickly and smoothly. It is essential to turn off your water supply if you want to make any further changes.
How to Install New Sink Faucet?
You will also need to install a faucet to your new utility sink if you have not already done so. Everyone can handle this simple task on their own.
Here’s how you can accomplish it:
- It is essential to do this with the water off to not flood the area.
- Set the faucet in place. There is usually a hole where you slide the spout into the utility sinks.
- Most utility sink faucet models come with rubber, gaskets, and nuts to make installing the faucet head into the sink as easy as possible. Make use of both the rubber and gasket that came with the faucet in addition to the plumber’s putty for a tighter seal.
- Under the sink, tighten the nuts that hold the faucet. Make sure your nights are adequately secured by using a wrench.
- Connect the cold and hot water lines from the underside of the faucet and tighten them using pliers or a wrench.
- Activate your utility sink’s water supply to check if everything is working correctly. Look for leaks and get them fixed right away.
FAQs
How do you secure the washer drain hose to the sink?
Ensure the bent end of the hose is looped over the sink’s lip, which should not be placed more than 45 inches from the washing machine. Attach a plastic cable strap to the leg of the laundry sink to secure the hose.
It is crucial to ensure that the hose end is not touching the bottom of the sink since this could interfere with water flow.
Can I connect a washing machine to a bathroom sink?
If you don’t have a dedicated plumbing line, you can hook up your washing machine to a sink. You can use a sink aerator thread to hose connection adapter to connect the water supply hose to the sink faucet. The adapter and hose are connected to the faucet.
Sum Up
Connecting your utility sink and washing machine to the same drain is a pivotal and straightforward task. Your task might seem daunting to you, but all you need to do is put in a bit of effort and be patient.
Making your garage and laundry room share the same water hook-ups will make them more spacious and efficient. Additionally, you will reduce your water and energy bills significantly.
Turn off the main water supply before working on the plumbing; otherwise, you could get into trouble. Don’t mix up the cold water and hot water lines.
Reference
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/54616/1206810_C5_4_1957_laundry_areas_opt.pdf?sequence=2
https://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-ACSN200706019.htm
