Washer drainage question

[ryner1988]

Hi all,

When my DD washer was delivered a couple months ago, I think the drain hose they supplied with the machine was too long for my setup. I noticed over the past week or so that when the washer drained, it didn't sound like it was draining very fast or well. As in, the water would empty out of the machine just fine, but it would take a while and I could not hear a good solid flow of waste water exiting the pipe, as one is supposed to. I checked it earlier this evening when running a load of towels, and I think I found the reason why.

It appears that a heck of a lot of drain hose was shoved into the standpipe, probably about 20 inches or more. I pulled the hose out of the pipe so that the curve of the hose is slightly above the machine, and it now only enters the pipe 6 inches or so. This seemed to fix the issue -- the washer now drains quickly and effectively. I can now hear the water running unimpeded through the pipe, so it seems the problem was nothing more than the hose being shoved too far into the standpipe. I have secured it in place with duct tape for now, but would like a more permanent solution to keep it in place. Or maybe I should cut the extra length off?

Any ideas?

Ryne

 

[qsd-dan]

Or maybe I should cut the extra length off?

Yes!!

The drain hose on a top load washer should not go deeper than 5" into the standpipe. Raise the drain hose at least a couple of more inches out of the standpipe and cut it.

Spin drain machines are very sensitive to standpipe heights and excessively long drain hoses.

 

[ryner1988]

@qsd-dan

Thanks for the response. I figured something wasn't quite right with the drain setup, glad to know my suspicions were correct.

I'm thinking I can approach this in one of two ways. A, I can cut the extra length off so that the drain hose can rest in its original position, that being with the curve hung over the edge of the recessed laundry box, or B, I can just raise the hose to the appropriate length, with the curved arc being slightly above the machine, then secure it in place with a cable tie or something. Doing it the second way would mean I don't have to cut anything, but perhaps the shorter length is better. Which would you recommend?

 

[ryner1988]

Update

I have raised the hose out of the standpipe to the proper depth, about 5 inches or so, and secured it in place with gorilla tape. I know there needs to be an air gap around the hose where it enters the pipe itself so I have it secured to the cold water knob to keep it in place. It's not very attractive at all so I ordered some zip ties from Amazon and plan to use one rather than the tape when they get here. The washer does drain properly and without obstruction now, which is the main thing.

 

[good-shepherd]

and secured it in place with gorilla tape.

How about one these instead of the half-assed gorilla tape and zip ties:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fernco-2-in-x-2-in-x-2-00-in-dia-Hose-Grip-Hose-Grip-PVC-Fitting/1000075223

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #4

My drainage is in a recessed washer box on the wall, there's a hole where you stick the hose in but you can't actually see the standpipe itself. Would this work with that setup?

 

[windrivers]

Nothing wrong with zip ties.

 

[good-shepherd]

Would this work with that setup?

No, the Hose Grip slips onto a 1-1/2 or 2 inch pipe.

In your case the zip ties should be enough and allow for proper venting.

 

[stephen]

Zip ties

Can you post a pic of it secured w zip ties?
Thanks

 

[ryner1988]

@stephen

Zip ties are supposed to be here tomorrow, so I'll try to take a pic when I get it done.

 

[windrivers]

I know at least some washers come with a beaded strap, which is basically a reusable zip tie. (You can reuse zip ties, but generally they're cheap enough it's easier to just cut them off and use a new one. You may want to cut off the excess end of the tie wrap anyway.)

They can be used to attach the hose to the pipe if accessible, or in Ryne's case attach it similar to what he did.

This is from an installation manual for Speed Queen washers which tells you the pipe must be attached to one of the water hoses for wall installation. https://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/production/802757en.pdf

It even allows for tape if necessary. Sounds like Ryne pretty much followed the directions.

 

[ryner1988]

Reply #10

Yep, this is pretty much exactly what I did. My washer isn't a Speed Queen but I just followed standard drainage directions for a top loading washer, not much to it. The tape works fine but it's messy-looking and I think the zip ties will clean up the appearance considerably.