The washing machine is a common home appliance that is used to clean and wash clothes and fabrics. The washing machine uses water to clean laundry. You need to add liquid or powder laundry detergent with water for washing laundry.
This article will provide an in-depth answer and offer you deep insights into the height of the washing machine drain.
How high should the washing machine drain be?
The washing machine drain should be at least 30″ up from the ground. The height of the washing machine drain should be less than 8 feet in order to properly drain water. Also, a drain height of fewer than 8 feet is necessary for the powerful drain pump to pump water vertically into the machine.
A washing machine drain should remain at least 30″high off the ground. The washing machine drain should be less than 8 feet high from the floor. It is essential in order to properly drain water.
The washing machine drain should be at least 30″ high of the ground for the washer to function properly. Placing the washing machine drain at such a height is essential for proper draining of water. Water runs through the pipe from high ground area to low.
And for this reason, placing the drain hose at least 30″ to 35″ height is crucial for proper water flow.
Adjusting the washing machine drain more than 8 feet high is not recommendable because the generally powerful drain pump can’t pump water vertically at that maximum height. For this reason, it is better to keep the drain height below 8 feet.
But washing machines are having powerful drain pumps available that can pump water vertically as high as 8 feet or more above the floor. Washing machines such as GE, Hotpoint Top Load, and Front Load have powerful drain pumps and can drag water at such a height.
Does a washing machine drain hose need to be elevated? What is the code for washing machine drain?
Yes, a washing machine drain hose needs to be elevated. The drain hose is elevated to avoid the chance of siphoning. You should elevate the drain hose of your washing machine to get the best drainage.
Also, the drain hose of the washing machine is elevated to prevent water backflow.
Water backflow can occur anytime in your drainage and it can cause problems in your drainage. One way to prevent the water backflow is to elevate the drain hose of the washing machine.
It ensures proper downwards flow of water from your washing machine and maintains correct fluid flow.
The code for washing machine drain has been established by the Universal Plumbing Code and according to them, the standard washing machine drain size should be 2 inches. The drain hose should be 20 to 30 inches high from the floor.
But the p-trap should be placed between 6 to 18 inches up above the ground.
Following a proper code for washing machine drain is crucial to avoid any drainage problem regarding the drain pipe. Adjusting the drain hose to the right height ensures proper water flow from a downward direction and also prevents fluid backflow.
What are the washing machine drainage options?
The drainage system of the washing machine ensures the removal of the dirty and used water from the washer after every wash. You don’t have to wash your clothes in dirty water. The washing machine has built-in drainage options that remove dirty water from the machine.
There are 3 drainage options for the washing machine drainage. The options are described hereafter –
Laundry tub:
A laundry tub is one of the best options for the removal of dirty, uncleaned water from the washing machine. You can replace the dirty water from your washing machine while the water cycle is running.
Usually, the washing machine drain hose is placed 20 to 30 inches high above the ground. To drain the dirty water, you have to put the laundry tab 12 to 18 inches under the washing machine.
A problem with using a laundry tub is that the tub can get clogged.
The solution to this problem is manually unclogging the tub. The plunger is the best handy tool to unclog laundry tubs and basins without any complications.
Standpipe:
A standpipe is the most cost-effective and easiest option of a washing machine drainage system. Moreover, the standpipe occupies less space.
In order to install the standpipe, all you have to do is to attach the pipe with the drainage hose of your washing machine. Sandpipe installation is easy and after the proper installation, you should check the water flow.
The standpipe will drain uncleaned water from the washing machine.
Similar to the laundry tub, the standpipe can also get clogged. Clogging happens due to the tiny fabric particles mixed in water. That little material clogs the pipe.
The solution to the problem is to unclog the pipe manually. You can call for a plumber to do the job. But you can also unclog the standpipe using basic plumbing tools.
Underground pipe:
If you want to use the washing machine in the same location for a long time then an underground pipe will be fruitful. The underground pipe drainage is the best option for a long time use of washing machine in one place.
The underground pipe is attached to the drainage hose of the washing machine and the pipes are passed through the floor. Those pipes carry the uncleaned water outside the house.
The underground pipe can clog and break. As the pipes are passed below the floor, so fixing the broken pipes or unclogging the pipes can be a hurdle.
But the solution is to unclog the pipes using plumbing tools and use strong and durable pipes for the drainage. Good quality pipes last long and you don’t have to change the pipes frequently.
An underground pipe system can be the most cost-effective drainage option in the long run.
Can a washing machine drain be too high?
A washing machine drain can be as high as 96 inches or 8 feet. It is the maximum length a washing machine drain can be. Exceeding this height won’t be ideal to handle. But the minimum height of a washing machine drain is 30 inches and this height is fixed to avoid water backflow.
A washing machine drain placed too high can be too hard to operate and handle. It won’t be ideal also to place the washing machine drain at more than 8 feet height. Also, the pumps can’t pump the water at that height and it will take more time to drain water.
How do you position a washing machine drain hose?
The position of a washing machine drain hose needs to be elevated. The height of the washing machine drain hose should be 30 to 39 inches. You have to position the drain hose in the elevated area so water can run in the downward direction.
Avoid positioning the washing machine drain hose at lower than 30 inches as it can trouble normal water flow. Also if you position the washing machine drain hose at lower than 30 inches height, you will experience water backflow in the drain hose.
For this reason, the drain hose height is maintained between 30 to 96 inches. But placing the drain hose in more than 8 feet height is also not recommendable as it will be a hurdle to operate the washing machine drain hose.
Also, normal pumps can’t pump water at more than 8 feet of height. So, you have to consider all these variables while positioning the washing machine drain hose in your house.
How to keep the washer drain hose in place?
You have to tightly fix the washer drain hose in place to avoid coming out of the pipe from the affixed area. You can follow some measures to keep the washer drain hose in place. The measures are listed hereafter –
Duct tape:
To hold the drain hose in place, insert the hose into the drain pipe and then tightly wrap the hose and drain pipe joints with duct tape. Don’t use duct tape on the wet hose and drain pipes. Only apply the tape in the dry pipes.
Clamp the hose to the nearest wall:
To clamp the hose to the nearest wall you have to buy a hose clamp and screw so that you can attach the hose to the wall. Insert the end of the hose into the pipe and then fix the clamp around the hose.
The loose end of the clamp can be attached to the adjacent wall and it will easily hold the drain hose.
Final thoughts
The washing machine drain should be range from 30 to 96 inches high. This height is crucial to prevent water backflow. A washing machine drainage system is essential for removing uncleaned water from the washer. Establishing the drain hose at the proper height enables proper downward fluid flow.