Drain pans aren’t a requirement for your washer, but they are an inexpensive and simple way of protecting your home by catching small leaks and reducing the amount of water damage from broken hoses. If your laundry room is upstairs, a drain pan is recommended to protect against leaks that can seep into the rooms below.
How does a washer drain pan work?
They are placed under the washer to collect water and drain it away. Drain pans come with a pre-cut hole in the side or bottom. This is for the PVC pipe that connects the pan to the drainpipe. If the water in the pan reaches a certain level, it drains through the pipe and out of your home.
Do washing machines have a drip pan?
A drain pan slides under your washing machine and provides the first line of defense against leaks, accidental spillage or anything that might drip from your washing machine.
Why do you need a drain pan for a washing machine?
A drain pan is a device which easily slides under your wash machine to provide some measure of protection against a leak which might develop, or against accidental spills.
Is a washing machine drain pan a good idea? – Related Questions
Does a washing machine drain line need to be vented?
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.
How do you drain a washing machine without flooding the kitchen?
If you have a drain pump filter only, place the shallow container up against the machine, directly under the filter, to catch the water. Turn the knob slowly until water starts coming out. Fill the container, turn the knob off, dump the water into a sink or basin, and repeat until the water has been drained completely.
Do I need a condensate pan?
The condensate drain pan is an important part of the entire central air system. This little tray protects your home from damage and protects the furnace from microbiological growth and failure. Perhaps most importantly, it protects your home from any type of water-related safety issues.
Does a washing machine drain need a pee trap?
If they omit the trap and vent, it’s a mistake that can cause problems on two counts. 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.
What are the requirements for a washing machine drain?
Highlights
- The standard washing machine drain size is 2 inches, and the minimum requirement is 1 1/2 inches.
- Modern washers typically require a larger drain, and you may need a larger drain if it’s connected to your kitchen sink.
- Standpipes should be between 18 and 30 inches from the floor.
Do I need a floor drain in my laundry room?
The 2017 IRC code does not specifically require floor drains to be installed in laundry rooms, but buildings often include them to provide for emergency drainage or to help with other drainage needs (e.g., relief valves, water heater drainage, condensate drainage, etc.).
Where does the drain in my laundry room go?
Water on the laundry room floor moves to a 2-inch drain covered by a grate. The water flows vertically down a short initial section of ABS pipe below the floor, then through a P-trap, and out to the sewer main via branch drain lines within the house.
What is code for washing machine standpipe?
The standpipe shall extend not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the weir of the standpipe trap and shall extend above the flood level rim of the laundry tray. The outlet of the laundry tray shall not be greater than 30 inches (762 mm) horizontal distance from the side of the standpipe.
What is the difference between a floor drain and a floor sink?
A floor sink is a type of floor drain primarily used as an indirect waste receptor. It is generally deeper than a standard floor drain and can have a full or partial grate, or no grate as required to accommodate the indirect waste pipes. It usually has a dome strainer in the bottom to prevent splash-back.
Does every floor drain need a vent?
SECTIONS 418.2 AND 1002.2: FLOOR DRAINS ARE PLUMBING FIXTURES AND THEY MUST BE PROVIDED WITH A TRAP AND VENT. EXCEPTION: EMERGENCY FLOOR DRAINS, TELL-TALE FLOOR DRAINS, AND FLOOR DRAINS NOT USED AS A WASTE RECEPTOR DO NOT REQUIRE A VENT IF INSTALLED WITHIN 25 FEET OF A VENTED BRANCH OR MAIN .
Does a hub drain need a vent?
Hub drains are required to be vented.
Does every floor drain need a trap?
All plumbing fixtures, including floor drains, are required to have traps. A trap looks like a “U” shape pipe. If you look below your kitchen or bathroom sink, this will give you an idea of what a trap looks like. A trap is simply a fitting that provides a liquid seal to stop the emission of sewer gases.
How do you tell if a floor drain has a trap?
Pour some water down the drain –> disconnect the drain –> take a flashlight and look into the drain where it enters the floor –> if the drain pipe has water in it then it likely has a trap.