I have a question about draining a washing machine below grade.
Currently since my washing machine is on the opposite side of the
basement as my sewer pipe (sewer outlet is in a small utility closet
in finished portion of basement), it drains into an under sink utility
pump by WaterAce (basically a sump pump in a plastic tub). This pump
receives waste water form the kitchen sink upstairs above it, the
washing machine, and a laundry sink (right next to the washing
machine). Here's my problem/question.... There's a filter basket
thingy right at the inlet (to stop solids from entering the pump
basin). The washing machine water leaks out the access hatch that is
used to access the filter basket. It seems like the filter does not
allow the washing machine water through quick enough (only if the
filter basket is completely empty is there no problem). Now I have a
few questions......

1.) Is there something I can install inline to buffer the washing
machine drain pressure?

2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be
careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

4.) As a work around, I've found that putting a weight (brick) on the
access hatch creates a seal strong enough to prevent water leaking.
This of course is fine, but looks odd. I think if a could find some
sort of foam rubber sheet or the like to put between the plastic cover
and pump base it would create a good seal (tough to explain).
Basically what I want is to buy a sheet of may 1/4 - 1/2 inch foam
rubber, any ideas?


I ask this because we're getting ready to put the house on the market
and want to have things set up "best practice" (for what we have
anyway). Thanks!!

grodenhiATgmailDOTcom wrote:

I have a question about draining a washing machine below grade.
Currently since my washing machine is on the opposite side of the
basement as my sewer pipe (sewer outlet is in a small utility closet
in finished portion of basement), it drains into an under sink utility
pump by WaterAce (basically a sump pump in a plastic tub). This pump
receives waste water form the kitchen sink upstairs above it, the
washing machine, and a laundry sink (right next to the washing
machine). Here's my problem/question.... There's a filter basket
thingy right at the inlet (to stop solids from entering the pump
basin). The washing machine water leaks out the access hatch that is
used to access the filter basket. It seems like the filter does not
allow the washing machine water through quick enough (only if the
filter basket is completely empty is there no problem). Now I have a
few questions......

1.) Is there something I can install inline to buffer the washing
machine drain pressure?

2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be
careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

4.) As a work around, I've found that putting a weight (brick) on the
access hatch creates a seal strong enough to prevent water leaking.
This of course is fine, but looks odd. I think if a could find some
sort of foam rubber sheet or the like to put between the plastic cover
and pump base it would create a good seal (tough to explain).
Basically what I want is to buy a sheet of may 1/4 - 1/2 inch foam
rubber, any ideas?


I ask this because we're getting ready to put the house on the market
and want to have things set up "best practice" (for what we have
anyway). Thanks!!



Use the laundry tub as buffer. Best practice.

And install a lint trap screen on the washer outlet hose.

Jim

grodenhiATgmailDOTcom wrote:

and a laundry sink (right next to the washing
machine). Here's my problem/question.... There's a filter basket
thingy right at the inlet (to stop solids from entering the pump
basin). The washing machine water leaks out the access hatch that is
used to access the filter basket. It seems like the filter does not
allow the washing machine water through quick enough (only if the
filter basket is completely empty is there no problem). Now I have a
few questions......

1.) Is there something I can install inline to buffer the washing
machine drain pressure?

If the tub is large like a standard wash tub, empty the machine into than
and let it drain into the pump.


2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

One sock can raise hell with it. Keep the screen



3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be
careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

Very common, done in probably millions of homes.

On May 29, 3:49�pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" wrote:
*grodenhiATgmailDOTcom wrote:

*and a laundry sink (right next to the washing
machine). *Here's my problem/question.... *There's a filter basket
thingy right at the inlet (to stop solids from entering the pump
basin). *The washing machine water leaks out the access hatch that is
used to access the filter basket. * It seems like the filter does not
allow the washing machine water through quick enough (only if the
filter basket is completely empty is there no problem). *Now I have a
few questions......

1.) Is there something I can install inline to buffer the washing
machine drain pressure?

If the tub is large like a standard wash tub, empty the machine into than
and let it drain into the pump.



2.) Do I need the basket thingy? *Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

One sock can raise hell with it. *Keep the screen



3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. *How common/acceptable is this? * Anything I should be
careful for? *Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

Very common, done in probably millions of homes.

or install a grinder pump, it will take anything not metal and chew it
up, they are used for toilet that lift waste to higher levels

On 29 May 2007 12:03:15 -0700, grodenhiATgmailDOTcom
wrote:


2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

In the past, my washing machines had a filter that I was supposed to
take out and clean, maybe after every load.

The machine I've had for the last 24 years doesnt have this, and
claims to chew up the lint to make it very small. I would rather have
the previous kind of washer I think. I think when I did, less lint
came out the hose.

So your question above could depend on the kind of washing machine you
have.

3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be

Very/very

careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

Best and most commonly used are not always the same.

I try very hard not to get lint down my sink drain, because I don't
want to clog the check valve so that it doesn't shut, which I need to
keep the sewer from backing up into my basement. However I think I
clogged it years ago. It would only take a little bit to keep it from
shutting. (and I don't know how to clean it.)

You don't have a check valve, I'm sure, but you have that pump.

I've never had a pump like yours and don't know anything about it.

On May 30, 2:22 am, mm wrote:
On 29 May 2007 12:03:15 -0700, grodenhiATgmailDOTcom

wrote:

2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

In the past, my washing machines had a filter that I was supposed to
take out and clean, maybe after every load.

The machine I've had for the last 24 years doesnt have this, and
claims to chew up the lint to make it very small. I would rather have
the previous kind of washer I think. I think when I did, less lint
came out the hose.

So your question above could depend on the kind of washing machine you
have.

3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be

Very/very

careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

Best and most commonly used are not always the same.

I try very hard not to get lint down my sink drain, because I don't
want to clog the check valve so that it doesn't shut, which I need to
keep the sewer from backing up into my basement. However I think I
clogged it years ago. It would only take a little bit to keep it from
shutting. (and I don't know how to clean it.)

You don't have a check valve, I'm sure, but you have that pump.

I've never had a pump like yours and don't know anything about it.

I think I'll try out draining to the sink instead. For a standard
sized washing machine, how big would this sink have to be. We have a
20 gallon sink (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?
action=productDetail&productId=20137-332-102011&lpage=none), would
this do? I'm also going to get a filter for the washer hose (the pump
has a filter to protect it, but I also assume I don't want to clog the
sink drain either). We have no sewage check valve that I know of (we
don't have town sewage, we have a septic tank). Thanks for everyone's
help/suggestions, you're making me feel a little better about this
setup now.

On 31 May 2007 09:22:22 -0700, grodenhiATgmailDOTcom
wrote:

On May 30, 2:22 am, mm wrote:
On 29 May 2007 12:03:15 -0700, grodenhiATgmailDOTcom

wrote:

2.) Do I need the basket thingy? Would anything the washing machine,
kitchen sink, or laundry sink be large enough to clog the pump?

In the past, my washing machines had a filter that I was supposed to
take out and clean, maybe after every load.

The machine I've had for the last 24 years doesnt have this, and
claims to chew up the lint to make it very small. I would rather have
the previous kind of washer I think. I think when I did, less lint
came out the hose.

So your question above could depend on the kind of washing machine you
have.

3.) I know some people will use a laundry tub to drain their washing
machine into. How common/acceptable is this? Anything I should be

Very/very

careful for? Would this be the best (most commonly used) solution?

Best and most commonly used are not always the same.

I try very hard not to get lint down my sink drain, because I don't
want to clog the check valve so that it doesn't shut, which I need to
keep the sewer from backing up into my basement. However I think I
clogged it years ago. It would only take a little bit to keep it from
shutting. (and I don't know how to clean it.)

You don't have a check valve, I'm sure, but you have that pump.

I've never had a pump like yours and don't know anything about it.

I think I'll try out draining to the sink instead. For a standard
sized washing machine, how big would this sink have to be. We have a

You need the size of a laundry sink, the kind found next to washing
machines. A full washing machine will get fairly close to the top,
and it will get closer if the drain isn't working well. (I wonder if
it would overflow if it wasn't draining at all. I don't think so, but
i"m not positive, and there may be a few washing machines bigger than
mine. )

When I lived in Brooklyn, my 1930 building had a shallow sink on one
side, for normal use, and a deep sink on the other. It wasn't for
laundry becaue there was a laundry in the basement, complete with
full-sheet gas dryers. So it must have been for soaking pots etc. It
was big enough to take a full size washing machine's water, but I've
never seen a sink that big since I left NY.

20 gallon sink (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...011&lpage=none) , would
this do?

I've never seen one of these, and it looks like it would work, but the
fact that they call it a shower and bath utility tub convinces it
totally that it won't work.

Laundry sink is a real word, and if they go to the trouble to coin the
phrase "shower and bath utility tub", and don't mention the laundry,
that's plenty of proof for me.

I'm also going to get a filter for the washer hose (the pump
has a filter to protect it, but I also assume I don't want to clog the
sink drain either). We have no sewage check valve that I know of (we
don't have town sewage, we have a septic tank). Thanks for everyone's
help/suggestions, you're making me feel a little better about this
setup now.

On 31 May 2007 09:22:22 -0700, grodenhiATgmailDOTcom
wrote:

We have a
20 gallon sink (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...11&lpage=none), would

Well, I looked at this site for laundry sink and they hve one,
but they are kind enough not to say how many gallons it holds. They
give the dimensions but are kind enough not to give the dimensions for
the one you have above.

I appreciate all their kindness.

FWIW, their laundry sink is 20 x 20 x 10. Mine is i think probably
twice that big, and if so, even though they say that there's is
"Perfect size to fit small laundry areas but deep enough to handle
large loads", they must be crazy.

P&M