Installing Washer In Room Below Ground Level
I need to move my washing machine into my garage where the floor is about 3 feet below and 12 feet away from the floor that contains the sink that I need to empty the machine into. Does any one have any idea whether a standard washing machine pump would cope with that or, if they won't, the best way to incorporate a secondary pump. ie in line or via a secondary tank that the machine could empty into?
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Washer drain pump may not cope with basement-style installation
- The problem
- The washing machine needed to be moved into a garage about 3 feet below the level of the sink drain and around 12 feet away, raising concern over whether the machine could pump waste water up and across that distance.
- Likely cause
- The accepted reply said a standard washing machine pump is generally designed to lift water about 2 to 3 feet. A total lift of around 6 feet, once hose routing is considered, would likely reduce flow too much and could cause poor rinsing or drain timeout/abort.
- What fixed it
- Recommended action was to avoid relying on the washer’s own pump for that lift. Suggested options were a proper booster pump system designed for basement installations, or reducing the lift by raising the machine on a secure platform. The original poster decided to install an intermediate tank with a separate secondary pump.
- Checks to try
- Estimated pump lift capability as about 2 to 3 feet
- Considered whether the run was 3 feet total lift plus 12 feet horizontal
- Noted the final horizontal section would need a decent fall towards the drain
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Intermediate tank
- Secondary pump
- Proper pump system for washing machines in basements
- Secure platform
Safety: Any platform used to raise the appliance should be secure and arranged so the machine cannot fall off. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
3 Answers
A washing machine pump is designed to pump water about 2 - 3 feet. If the drain hose is fixed an extra 3 feet above the top of the washing machine it would increase the height to 6 feet and although the water would possibly pump out the flow will be substantially reduced. It's unlikely a washing machine could pump water fast enough to either rinse properly, or to not time out (and abort) on empty.
If your washing machine would only have to pump 3 feet in total, and then run 12 feet it could work although it couldn't pump the water 3 feet plus a further 12 feet so the last section would have to have a decent slope towards the drain.
You can buy a proper pump system that can pump water quite a long way, designed for washing machines in a basement needing to pump upstairs Saniflow make such pumps. Some of their pumps can allow a washing machine to pump up to 5 metres high.
Finally, raising the washing machine itself by installing it on a secure platform and hemmed in so it can't fall off can reduce the height needed to work properly.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks for your advice, I think that makes up my mind, I'll install an intermediate tank and a separate, secondary, pump.
I have an article now on this subject here - installing a washing machine in a basement
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.
Related Questions
Disconnecting washing machine
0 answers • 2 replies
Power button not turning on washing machine
0 answers • 2 replies
Can this washer be repaired?
1 answer • 1 reply
Hotpoint F7 E2 Fault
1 answer • 1 reply
My Bosch washing machine is stuck on 33 minutes remaining
1 answer • 1 reply
Bosch washing machine door lock accidentally triggered with the door open – how I reset it
0 answers • 2 replies
Cant identify the correct replacement carbon brushea
0 answers • 2 replies
LG washing machine making intermittent noise — video link included
1 answer • 4 replies
Washing machine beeps then shuts down
1 answer • 1 reply
Candy washing machine below slip
1 answer • 1 reply