Drain pipe fpr a wahing machine

[imported_marako]

I need to install a drain pipe in my basement for the washing machine. I have septic, and the main line (4" horizotal PVC) runs along 3 walls in a u shape. At its high point where it enters the basement (from the crawl space) its about 6' high. It drops at a 45 degree angle to about 4' high, then wraps around the walls until it exits the house at just below 3' high (give or take).

Where I decided to put the washing machine the pipe is probably just below 4' high. I'm tapping a vertical 3" pipe off at this spot to serve the up stairs bathrooms (using a wye and a 45 degree bend). Just above the bend I had put in a 2"-> 3" wye to tap off a j-trap then a 20" peice of vertical pipe to hang the washing machine hose from. When all is said and done the top of this pipe is probably about 6' high.

As far as I know the codes require a trap, and a minimum of 20" of 2" pipe for a washing machine. However over on the appliance site they moderator there said that washing machines can not pump 6' high.

Right now the vertical pipe doesn't exist so the machine is only pumping 5' high to a 3" stub that I've temporaily capped off. Hoepfully soon this section of vertical pipe will exist at which time I'll need to add an extension to the washing machine hose (its just 6" too short) and then hang it from the correct spot. The machine seems to pump plenty strong at 5'.

The moderator at the appilance site suggest that the trap may be able to be removed since the washing machine dosn't need it, though I'm thing this is a code violation. I could also shorten the 20" pipe some, but again I think 20" is the minimum height. I could also add a new tap to the main line just for the machine, but for the amount of work required (cutting into a functional 4" main) I'm not sure the extra couple of inches is worth it.

Any thoughts?

[Wgoodrich]

The riser must be as you said 20" minimum. However the trap is required per code and must not be removed. Also warning that if you install that trap closer than 36" from the inlet where you washer hose is located then you will probably see water rush back out of the pipe where the washer hose inserts. Make sure your trap is at least 4' downstream from the inlet to avoid the backwash affect. It is true the manufacturer's recommend not to pump 6 feet or higher from your washer. If you think about it you have a bunch of high hose that when the washer stops pumping will flow back into washer. Then when you wash your next load you have a bunch of dirty water in the outer tub that will mix with you new load of wash water, doesn't sound appealling to me.

In your situation you have an outlet of your house higher than the washer making you go the 6' high to make it work out right. If this is the case how about elevating the washer on a platform say about a foot and a half high. Just build a platform where you wife can step up on the plat form to load the elevated washer. Can this be done to answer you delemma?

Hope this helps

Wg