Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 6/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: I would like to move my washer/dryer to my garage and I do not have any plumbing out there except for the hot water heater. Is it possible to run the washer pipe off that? And what about drainage?  Or would it be easier to convert my back porch off the kitchen?  Sorry so random.

ANSWER: Hi Krisi, getting the water to your machines is as simple as tying into the piping going into (cold) and coming out of (hot) the hot water heater. Washing machines have water pumps built into them so if you have any kind of drain nearby you can probably attach a hose to your discharge pipe and run it to the drain.  If the garage wall is close to the existing laundry room wall you might be able to use the existing washing machine drain with an extension pipe or tie into the vent for the laundry sink.  If I knew the layout of your garage and porch in relation to existing sinks or other plumbing I could maybe come up with a good location for your drain.  Send me a rough floor plan of your house if you can and I can be more specific.  Also you need to think out your electrical and venting for the dryer. Sincerely bruce e johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, one more question, does the washer pump have enough power to push the water upwards through a pipe through the ceiling and over into an existing drain? Make sense? The laundry room is right off the garage but drain is on the opposite wall

Answer
Hi Kristi, I doubt that a standard washer pump can pump the water that far and especially that high.  You can experiment I guess.  routing a drain in a wall isn't that difficult.  You cut a one foot high swath of drywall out of the wall you want to route the drain.  Then, using a hole saw you drill holes in the studs  or cut a notch out of the studs with a skil saw.  Install the piping and reinstall the drywall strip and tape it back into place.  I hopet this information helps, feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com