Do you need a trap on a washing machine waste?

[scallywag]

I have just moved into a house where the washing machine waste is just an open pipe and then goes directly outside and runs down the outside of the house.

The waste pipe emerges into the house just a few mm under the worktop not leaving any room for a trap. Can I just put a washing machine plastic connector on the end of the pipe or this likely to cause air vacuum problems.


Thanks for any help or advice.

 

[Agile]

The question is really what does the outlet pipe do outside?

The only purpose of the trap is to prevent foul odours from entering the house.

If its not giving any problems then why change it?

Most WMC drainage problems are as a result of the trap!

Tony

 

[Durgo]

YES you need to fit a trap regardless of where its going - soilpipe, gulley, hopper, if you want to comply with building regs that is.

 

[scallywag]

Thanks for the help.

The pipe travels around 4 meters along the outside of the house and a waste from the sink joins it about half way along and then it does into an open drain.