HELP: Utility Room - washing machine

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

So after so many different points of feedback from builders i'm confused.. and hoping that there is a solution to this that makes sense.. the work won't be done by us but eventually a builder..

I'm after utilising the utility room better (its an old one that's not been updated for over 40 years, it has a concrete floor, and drops a step from the kitchen floor) and have decided to put a washing machine in there.. otherwise i have a utility room that's pretty much useless and only fit for storage..

My challenge is, there is no water or electricity going to it directly today. After much thought and suggestions, we decided that a builder could use the gutters to have the waste go in and attach pipes from the kitchen sink to pull cold water from and the electrical point in the kitchen can be used to extend into the Utility.. see pic below.. however.... today a builder tells me.. the pipes can't be installed as they may freeze and if he goes down to the depth required he'll hit something (can't remember the word he used) which means the floor will always be flooding..? I'm wondering as to whether its another builders 'preference' as he's the same one who didn't like using rad extenders, because he didn't like them.. and would have suggested to have them not straight but at an wonky angle.

To say i'm frustrated and confused is putting it politely.. thought i'd at least figured out what's possible or not.. !! any thoughts?

Harry Bloomfield · 23 Sep 2019

You cannot use rain water gutters, for discharging grey water from a washing machine, if that is what is being suggested. I don't understand the point about water supply pipe freezing, if the pipe is all run indoors, it should not normally freeze.

It's not really a builder you need, but a plumber and an electrician, why talk to a builder?

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

Thanks for the response, Harry.

The reason for the builder was due to other works being required (wanted to get one builder in to do all the work, but seems like even more hassle at the moment), i can see the benefit of just finding a plumber and then getting someone into skim the walls with plaster. Electrician i've already consulted and has no issue with the suggestion, etc. It was only this builder who mentioned freezing pipes, I'm thinking i should tick him off the list and just go with the majority. Its not a rain water gutter, its my wording that's a bit off but can't think of the name for it at the moment.

foxhole · 23 Sep 2019

From plan siting the washing machine close kit sink would allow you to run water to machine and waste back to sink.

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

Hi Foxhole, thanks unfortunately theres a door out to the garden in between the sink and where the position of the washing machine would be. see updated pic attached.

geraldthehamster · 23 Sep 2019

AshRJ said:
Its not a rain water gutter, its my wording that's a bit off but can't think of the name for it at the moment.

Gulley? Do you mean a trap in the ground with a grill over it, that drains?

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

Hi Gerald - think it’s a water grate? Has like a solid heavy grate over it that takes the water from the house. It’s not the type with a grill over it, that’s where the sink is and drains the pipes from the house.

Sorry I’m no expert on this stuff, probably why I’m struggling with so many different answers from builders!!

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

Double post

Harry Bloomfield · 23 Sep 2019

AshRJ said:
Hi Gerald - think it’s a water grate? Has like a solid heavy grate over it that takes the water from the house.

Is it perhaps a manhole cover?

Just to repeat, you cannot discharge toilets, sinks or washing machines etc. into a rain water system. A rain water system is only for rain water off your roof and goes untreated into the streams and rivers.

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

That’s the one Harry! Oh fun, If you can’t drain into the manhole then that’s a complete rethink. Attached pic. Amusingly.. all builders said that this was allowed and possible..!!

I think I’ll just get a plumber, have one coming round tomorrow and hope for an honest answer.

Nige F · 23 Sep 2019

To put the washing machine waste into the "gutter" you would need to ascertain that you have a combined rainwater/sewage system - you May have this if it's an old house. Otherwise it's NO and the water authority will be investigating soap/grey water going into a river. Pipes freezing is a lesser problem - a small electric wall heater on a frost thermostat will solve that.

geraldthehamster · 23 Sep 2019

AshRJ said:
Has like a solid heavy grate over it that takes the water from the house.

What do you mean, the water from the house?

^woody^ · 23 Sep 2019

You will need building regulation approval for any new drain connection, and also for the electrical work (unless the electrician can self-certify - ask them this).

In general terms, be very careful in what builders tell you can be done with drainage if there is no readily obvious drainage outlets. What is easy for them, may not be lawful for you.

AshRJ · 23 Sep 2019

@Nige F - yes when he lifted it i could see two grooves (almost like pipe shapes) that looked like they routed the water from the main of the house. Which is why i thought it was okay. Its a very old terraced house and has had little work done on it for the past 50 years.

@geraldthehamster - i meant when lifted you can tell the water from the house is draining into it - i'll have to see if i can find a pic on the internet to show (too heavy for me to lift the grate)

@woody - yep, this is what's driving me nuts, Building Control is telling me 'maybes and depends on' and builders all seem to want to do whats easiest for them or what they are 'used to'.

Harry Bloomfield · 23 Sep 2019

AshRJ said:
water from the main of the house

No point in just saying 'water' you need to work out and describe what the water is - is it rain water from the roof or grey water from toilets and sinks.

Get it wrong and you leave yourself open to prosecution for wrong connection, builder will just walk away.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

HELP: Utility Room - washing machine

AshRJ

Attachments

Harry Bloomfield

AshRJ

foxhole

AshRJ

Attachments

geraldthehamster

AshRJ

AshRJ

Harry Bloomfield

AshRJ

Attachments

Nige F

geraldthehamster

^woody^

AshRJ

Harry Bloomfield

DIYnot Local

Similar threads