Washing Machine Drainage Options : Outside Drain

Last Updated on September 12, 2022

Are you confused about choosing the right washing machine drainage option which works best for you? You do not need to worry about it.

In this post, we have enlisted different drainage options available in a washing machine. We have also highlighted some of the effective ways for proper drainage.

It won’t be easy to get a fresh and clean cloth out of your laundry if the dirty water isn’t draining. Any clogging or blockage can cause problems that lead to a foul smell in the washer.

Washing Machine Drainage Options

Drainage may seem automatic by having some essential components in the drain system, such as the water pump, drain pipe, and inlet valve. However, a properly maintained and functional drainage system ensures all the dirty water has been removed when the washing cycle completes.

Some of the most common drainage options are:

Drainage Via Laundry Tub

A laundry tub is a great drainage option for cleaning clothes by replacing dirty water inside the washer with clean water.

The washing machine drain hose is usually about 30 inches above the ground level, and you can place your laundry tub beside it. The tub will be placed lower than the drain hose. It will ensure maximum drainage without requiring any effort.

Washing Machine Drainage Through Standpipe

Another easy and cheapest washing machine drainage option is the installation of a standpipe. You need to get a standpipe and attach it to the drain hose of your washing machine. It will not take up any space, and you can install it without trouble.

This standpipe will gather all the dirty water from the washing machine and drain it outside. Make sure the standpipe you buy has a diameter of 2 inches. The standpipe will prove a great savior for you from nasty smells.

There will be no need to call a professional to get everything attached accurately. However, hiring a plumber will be a good choice if you don’t want to do it by yourself.

Underground Pipe Connections

If you are sure about keeping your at a fixed place for a long time, you should go for underground pipe linking. This has been considered one of the best washing machine drainage options.

Dirty water from your washer will drain directly into the waste line, and you will not need to put any effort into draining it yourself.

However, with so many perks of underground piping, there is one downside. You need to spend extra money to hire plumbers to drill underground. In case of future blockings, the drain system will also require extra services by professionals.

These pipelines are usually inserted behind the concrete walls, and whenever you need fixing, the option will be to break the wall. Also, you won’t be able to move your washing machine due to the fixed drain pipe and hose. So, keep these things in mind before rushing towards meeting the criteria for underground pipe installation.

Things to Consider While Picking Up The Best Drainage Options

Choosing the best washing machine drainage option depends on your personal preference and home setup. Also, the budget plays a great role in making the decision.

• If you are on a tight budget, the standpipe and laundry tub will meet all your requirements. 
• However, you can also pick the underground pipe connection by investing some extra dollars.
• If only limited space is present around the washing machine, attaching the laundry tub will not be a good option. Rather you must choose a standpipe for limited areas.
• The other important thing you should remember is your plan to move out of a specific house. If you plan to live in a house forever, investing in underground pipelines will be wise.

Where Should Your Washing Machine drain Into

If you do not want to waste all the drained water from your washing machine, there are multiple ways to do it.

• By adding an extension to the pipeline of the drain system, you can let all dirty water reach the yard to irrigate your garden.
• You can also conserve this water for recycling.
• It is completely safe to use drainage water or greywater to irrigate plants as nothing toxic is present inside it.
• However, you must be careful about sensitive plants and supply this water to plants that are detergent safe.

Washing Machine Drainage Options: Outside Drain

Follow these steps to drain dirty water from the washing machine to the outside:

Organize a Detailed Plan

The first thing you should do is to plan everything. Make a plan for choosing the drainage site and the final destination of the dirty water.

You can either use water to irrigate plants or let it drain outside of your home.

Gather Necessary Tools

Make a list of all the necessary equipment you will need during the process. The most important items are a drain hose, pipe, extension, and gallons.

Inspect Drain Hose

You must check for cloggings before letting anything drain out of the system. Sometimes, debris accumulates inside the system, making it difficult to let water move out of the drain pipe. So, remove obstructions if any are present.

Add it Into Your Routine

If you are making it a habit to drain all water inside the yard where you have planted all the greenery, make sure to schedule washing according to the needs of the plants. If you drain water more often, the plants will get over-saturated. In case you irrigate plants less often, it may lead to dehydration.

Preventive Measures For Outside Draining

Washing machine drainage options that allow you to drain water outside also require some precautionary measures such as:

• If you plan to drain water into the backyard, make sure you haven’t used sodium in your detergent. 
• Using borax or any strong chemical agent in the washing machine is not recommended. These toxic chemicals are capable of killing plants.
• Never let greywater from the drain system turn into black water that includes feces. This kind of water will cause several health hazards for your plants and yourself if you eat those plants.
• Before draining water into the plants, make sure that plants are safe to be irrigated by hard water. Venus Flytrap can not survive under such water, but some other plants can grow well.