Moving Washing Machine Exit Piping
#1
10-07-19, 05:52 PM
Moving Washing Machine Exit Piping
OK. So I have done a major change to my cottage and now, instead of a perimeter foundation with a little insulation in the crawlspace, I now have a pillar foundation without any insulation below the floor. I won't go into the reason for this.
My concern is that although I only use this cottage for 3 of the warmer seasons, in Canada, April and October can sometimes see below freezing temperatures, at least at night anyway.
To ensure the washing machine's exit piping does not freeze I am planning on moving the j-trap out from below the cottage, into the same room as the machine itself. My plan is to simply cut the pipe and bring it up and then add some more piping to connect it back to the main exit pipe for the cottage.
Can anyone see any problem with this plan as I have drawn it below. I know very little about exit piping so I would appreciate your help.
My concern is that although I only use this cottage for 3 of the warmer seasons, in Canada, April and October can sometimes see below freezing temperatures, at least at night anyway.
To ensure the washing machine's exit piping does not freeze I am planning on moving the j-trap out from below the cottage, into the same room as the machine itself. My plan is to simply cut the pipe and bring it up and then add some more piping to connect it back to the main exit pipe for the cottage.
Can anyone see any problem with this plan as I have drawn it below. I know very little about exit piping so I would appreciate your help.
Last edited by OptsyEagle; 10-07-19 at 06:24 PM.
#2
10-07-19, 06:22 PM
Looks OK to me.
As long as you have a trap in the line you are OK.
Just make sure you have a couple feet of pipe above the trap so you do not get water overflow.
But I would also consider fixing the floor it looks awful uneven.
As long as you have a trap in the line you are OK.
Just make sure you have a couple feet of pipe above the trap so you do not get water overflow.
But I would also consider fixing the floor it looks awful uneven.
#4
10-08-19, 05:15 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
If that drain pipe below floor you will be ok. Don't know how many service calls I have gone on where the washer overflows but when I arrive there everything is ok. Find out outside was freezing and washer was run. Usually find out drain is on a wall that faces outside. Drain froze up even tho was inside.
#5
10-09-19, 04:35 AM
Yeah. That is what I want to avoid. I have one of those older top loading washing machines and that is a lot of water to come pounding back out of that exit pipe if it ever comes across an ice blockage.
Now I just have to figure out what to do with my j-trap for my bathroom tub. Not as easy to put upstairs, so to speak. At least that one would just keep your ankles wet while you are having your shower. The washing machine would be a lot more nastier.
Now I just have to figure out what to do with my j-trap for my bathroom tub. Not as easy to put upstairs, so to speak. At least that one would just keep your ankles wet while you are having your shower. The washing machine would be a lot more nastier.
#6
10-09-19, 05:58 AM
Traps should be OK down to a couple degrees below zero centigrade.
The traps are under the cottage so are protected somewhat.
Just don't use them till it warms up a bit during the day
If it is going to get colder than that then pour a cup of unmixed car antifreeze into the drains.
But if you use the drain you have to remember to add new antifreeze.
Did this for years at my cottage and never had a problem and winter here gets to -40 degrees C.
The traps are under the cottage so are protected somewhat.
Just don't use them till it warms up a bit during the day
If it is going to get colder than that then pour a cup of unmixed car antifreeze into the drains.
But if you use the drain you have to remember to add new antifreeze.
Did this for years at my cottage and never had a problem and winter here gets to -40 degrees C.
#7
10-09-19, 08:50 AM
I tend to add plumbers anti-freeze for winter close up but I am not sure I would want to drop that stuff in too often and then see it end up in my septic tank. Not sure how the bacteria down there would think of me doing that.
I agree that even with just water it should not be a big problem for me, especially the tub, since all it means is the water builds up in the tub for a while and probably before the day is out, drains back down again. It would also have the heat from the cottage going into the pipe but since heat prefers to rise then drop I can't say how much that will help.
I agree that even with just water it should not be a big problem for me, especially the tub, since all it means is the water builds up in the tub for a while and probably before the day is out, drains back down again. It would also have the heat from the cottage going into the pipe but since heat prefers to rise then drop I can't say how much that will help.
