Do you ever find yourself struggling to attach your washing machine drain hose to the laundry sink? Here’s a guide on how to secure washer drain hose to sink.
I had just installed a new washing machine and did not know how to secure washer drain hose to the sink. Wastewater was flooding my laundry room, causing massive damage.
After scouring the web for hours, I learned how to hook up a washer drain hose under sink. Since then, I have always done laundry without worrying about flooding.
If your washing machine does not have a drain pipe receiver, I advise you to attach washer drain hose to the sink.
If you don’t do it, your washing machine will keep filling as it tries to replace the lost water. And you will incur hefty water bills while dealing with overflow whenever you do laundry.
By attaching the washer drain hose to the sink, you will ensure that water is constantly draining out of the machine and away from your sink, preventing any potential clogs and messes.
In this guide, I’ve explained how to securely attach your washing machine drain hose to the laundry room sink.
How to Connect Washing Machine Drain Hose to Sink
Step 1: Inspect your sink underside
When attaching a drain hose to sink, you should first inspect underneath the sink to give you an idea of where to start and how to go about this process.
If your sink waste trap lying underneath features a spare spigot, then you’re in luck because you’ll just need to attach the hose to this bit.
For starters, a spigot refers to a small plastic fixture or stopper sticking out from the sides of your sink drain trap.
This fixture is usually free to rotate on most pipes, so you can easily move it into the perfect position for easy washer drain hose attachment.
Step 2: Connect the drain hose to the sink plumbing system
Before connecting the hose, I encourage you to check that your sink stopper doesn’t have a blanking cap.
Most of them have this little cap in place to block them off and prevent water and smell from leaking out when the fixture isn’t in use.
You’ll need to remove this tap to allow water from the drain hose to easily flow into the sink drain system.
Now grab your washer drain hose, slide in a jubilee clip onto it, and push it into the spigot (don’t tighten the clip at this stage).
TIP: So your washer drain hose isn’t long enough to reach underneath your sink drain trap?
This can happen due to the extended distance between the appliance and your sink. And you can easily extend it by adding an extra hose length. You’ll also need to get a coupler for this job.
If you find out that the hose fits the spigot diameter loosely, you might want to cut down the fixture to accommodate your hose diameter.
But if your bit isn’t intended to be cut, you can just fit the hose to it as it is. Only that you need to make sure you tight things well (see the next step).
Step 3: Fasten the hose into place
With the washing machine drain hose to the utility sink, all you have to do is slide the loosely hanging jubilee clip over the connection and tighten it to make the connection secure.
You’ll need to use a screwdriver to help pull the metals on this clip together and create an extremely secure fastening that minimizes the chances of leaks in your connection.
Step 4: Position the drain hose to sink
Now that you have your washer drain hose secure to the sink drain, you just need to ensure it (the hose) is appropriately positioned to facilitate proper wastewater flow.
Where possible, try to elevate the washing machine drain hose so that it runs uphill from the spigot. This will help stop any waste from your sink from flowing all the way down the washer drain hose and into your washing machine.
If your sink spigot is position-adjustable, then you can easily rotate it into an upward position for the correct hose position.
However, for the fixed models, you’ll have no other option but to move your washer drain pipe into a position where it will feed down your sink drain.
PRO TIP: Some homeowners may find that they only have one spigot available to connect both the dishwasher and washing machine drain hose to sink.
If this is the case for you, we advise you to introduce a new waste trap to your sink to create two separate spigots to serve each appliance.
Alternatively, you can get a Y-shaped hose splitter that lets you connect both the dishwasher and washing machine to a single waste pipe. Then, you can connect this splitter to the available fixture.
How to Connect Washing Machine Waste Pipe to Sink
Step 1: Configure the Waste Pipe
The washing machine waste trap comes with 1 or 2 spigots. You can use these to connect the drain hose. Waste traps connect with the washing machine waste pipe through these spigots.
At first, you need to connect the waste pipe with the spigot. You can just push the waste pipe and it’ll sit on the spigot. Use both spigots if you have multiple waste pipes.
Step 2: Attach Spigot Using Jubilee Clips
Jubilee clips are popular for securing fluid lines. Most washing machines come with their clips. If not, buy one from the local hardware shop. Use the jubilee clip provided to attach the spigot and pipe firmly. Jubilee clips work as belts. You can tighten these with a screwdriver and the waste pipe setup is complete. Some machines can come with unique clip types. You need to attach them accordingly.
Step 3: Position the Waste Trap
This is done before you set up the waste pipe because, after that, movement can get constrained. Unlike other drainage systems, washing machine waste pipes usually go upwards from the spigot. It prevents sink wastes to come into the washing machine.
The pipes flow pumped wastewater so it won’t come back. If you’re using a fixed spigot, you need to position this pipe before attaching it to the spigot. For rotatable spigots, you get more independence and you can just turn the attached pipes. Your waste pipe is now connected to the sink.
Step 4: If You Have a Dishwasher
If you’re depending on one spigot to connect both the washing machine and the dishwasher, you may need to get a waste trap with 2 spigots. Most washing machines come with 2 spigot waste traps. You can connect the dishwasher to the other spigot.
Plumbing a Washing Machine Under the Sink
Step 1: Position the Machine First
You need to position the washing machine on a flat and level surface close to the water source. If it’s not level, you can adjust the washing machine feet. Most of them are adjustable by twisting. Use a level indicator to see if the machine is straight. Switch off the water supply before proceeding.
Step 2: Connect Water Supply
The water supply valve of your washing machine is located usually at the back and top of the machine. You just need to connect the water supply hose with the valve and follow proper tightening procedures set by the vendor. Test if there’s any leakage before going further.
Step 3: Setting Up the Drain Hose
Use a pipe to connect to the drainage system on one side and connect the washing machine waste trap on the other. The best way is to use a tee to get a dual connection for the sink and the washing machine drainage. Now you have a pipe connected to the drain with one end open to going into the washing machine trap.
Step 4: Set Up Washing Machine Waste Trap
Follow the process mentioned earlier to set up the waste trap for the washing machine. It’s always better to have a small distance from the drainage. You’ve used one or two spigots by now. Just attach the drain hose to the last port of the waste trap. It should go straight.
Step 5: Testing
The plumbing process is done. Now just test the washing machine by running supply water and observing the drainage. Check if there’s any leakage or unwanted stress due to sharp bending. Release and let the pipe sit without external strain. Now you’re good to go.
How Do You Seal a Washing Machine Hose
Teflon tape simply does a fantastic job of securing washing machine connections. If you do it correctly, it will last for many years. To properly seal your washer hose and achieve a leak-free, long-lasting connection, follow the quick steps below:
Step 1: Assess and Clean your Threads
Ensure the male and female connections are free of any grit, debris, old pipe glue or tape, and that no form of damage is detected. Clean the threads if needed by scrubbing them under flowing water with a gentle brush.
Step 2: Carefully Secure the Threads with Teflon Tape
With your Teflon tape firmly wrapped around the male threads in a circular orientation, start at the end of the threading, till all the threads are secured by about 4 to 6 layers of Teflon tape.
Step 3: Connect and Tighten the Threads
Continue twisting the male threaded fit counterclockwise into the female threads until it becomes as tight as feasible by hand. To ensure a leak-free installation, you require a final tightening.
You will accomplish this by grabbing the fitting with wrenches and turning it clockwise an extra revolution or two until the connections are “wrench” tight. Do not overtighten the screws.
Step 4: Test for Leaks
The final step involves turning on the water system valve, saturating the line, and checking for any leakage signs. Close the water supply and adjust the fittings if any spills are apparent.
How To Replace Washing Machine Drain Hose Pipe
Your washer drain hose pipe won’t last forever. At some point, it might develop common hose problems such as splitting, leaking, and other forms of damage.
When this happens, you must act fast and replace the problematic hose with a new one. This way, you will keep your washing machine running at its best and enable it to water properly.
Step 1: Get the perfect Replacement Hose Pipe
To quickly find your washing machine drain hose specs, we suggest that you consult your owner’s handbook. If you can’t find it, look for it on the steel tab on the back of the washer and note down the brand and serial number.
Show the info you noted down to a representative at your local plumbing store to get assistance in choosing a suitable replacement drain hose for your washer.
Step 2: Turn off the Power as well as the Water
Ensure the power cord is disconnected from the wall socket before removing the washing machine drain hose. Better yet, switch off the washing machine’s electricity at the circuit breaker.
You’ll also need to cut off the water supply connection to the sink washer’s valve. If you can’t find it, turn off the water entirely for the time being.
Step 3: Drain Water off your Washer
Before replacing the hose, you’ll also need to remove any water present in your washing machine drum. You can try sucking up the water with your wet/dry vacuum or emptying it with a small pail.
However, the most efficient way to do it is by opening up your washer and accessing the hose. If you go with this option, you’ll need to consult your user manual on how to disassemble the machine.
Typically, the process involves undoing some screws underneath your washer and opening it to expose where the hose connects to the drain pipe. The drain pipe usually sits at the bottom of the machine, underneath its barrel.
Step 4: Remove the Old Drain Hose
When you reach the point where the old hose links to the drain, you’ll discover it is held in place using a hose clamp. You’ll need to remove this clamp to free the hose.
Simply use slip-joint pliers to help you easily squeeze the tabs that stick out of the clamp. This will open the clamp, after which you can simply slide it along your hose length to get it off and out of the way.
Place a bucket or cloth under the drain pipe to catch all the water that comes out when you pull off the old hose. It is better to collect this water rather than spill it all over the floor and create a mess.
Examine the clamp condition. If you find no damage or corrosion, you can reuse it with your new hose. However, if it is not in good state, you’ll need to get a new clamp when installing the replacement hose.
Step 5: Put the New Drain Hose in Place
Slide the clamp onto the new hose and make sure it goes all the way through to the flat end.
Place the new machine hose pipe on the rear of your washing machine’s connection and slide the clamping to where the hose and washer connect.
Tighten the clamping force with a wrench. Ensure it fits properly, so you don’t have any leaking issues.
Step 6: Restart your Machine and Test it
Place back the washing machine and reattach the panel you unscrewed in Step 3, and your washing machine is now ready to use again.
Turn back on the power and the water supply and confirm that everything is working correctly.
How to Keep Washing Machine Drain Hose from Falling
If your washer’s drain hose keeps coming out of the drain pipe (for those who use drain pipe instead of sink), you can solve this issue by using zip ties to tie the drain hose to one of the inlet faucets.
This will stop the washer drain hose from coming out of the drain pipe and prevent a potential flood in your laundry room.
And after securing drain hose properly, you won’t need to keep making endless trips to the laundry in fear of a mini-flood. Thus, you will create more time to do other vital things around your house.
Wrap Up: How To Secure Washer Drain Hose to Sink
You don’t need to spend money on a professional plumber to help you attach your washing machine drain hose to laundry room sink.
You can do it all by yourself by following the simple, easy step-by-step guide on how you can effortlessly secure washer drain hose to sink above.
Additional tips on sealing your machine hose and replacing an old, damaged hose with a new one will further prepare you to deal with common issues associated with the washer drain hose.
Knowing how to secure the washer drain hose to sink will also save you a few bucks. If you have any questions or difficulties following the steps outlined in this blog, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments section below. I would be happy to help you out.
