Installing Washer In Room Below Ground Level

[Graham]

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?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

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.

[Guest Guest_Graham_*]

Thanks for your advice, I think that makes up my mind, I'll install an intermediate tank and a separate, secondary, pump.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I have an article now on this subject here - installing a washing machine in a basement