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How To Install A Utility Sink Next To Washer (COMPLETE Guide)

How to Install a Utility Sink Next to Washer

Having the best utility sink installed can make your tasks easier in the laundry room. Step-by-step guide on how to install a utility sink next to the washer.

Utility sinks come in handy when washing or scrubbing large objects or many clothes. It is an ideal fixture to install in your garage, basement, or laundry room.

Utility sinks are most often used for doing laundry and there are two ways to install them next to your washing machine.

The first way is by installing it right above the washer so that you can easily rinse out clothes within seconds or minutes after they come out of the washer.

The second way is by installing it in a nearby section of your house so that running water won’t disturb you while doing laundry.

When placing the sink next to the washer, you can use the plumbing system your washing machine uses with your utility sink. It means that you will be saving money, time, and energy. You will also be saving space because you need not introduce another plumbing system.

8 Steps to Install a Utility Sink Next to Washer

Step1: Collect the Tools Needed

Here is what you require:

  • PVC hand saw
  • Pipe splitters
  • Pliers
  • Plumber’s glue
  • Measuring stick
  • PVC Y-fitting
  • Sand paper or de-burrer
  • Wrench
  • Measuring stick
  • A cold and hot flexible tubing

Step 2: Take the Measurement for Drain

After collecting all the required working tools, you need to take measurements from the drains of both fixtures. The size gotten will help in connecting the two drains.

Start by disconnecting or closing the water supply. Otherwise, you will have some extra work of drying off the flooding water.

Next, measure the sink’s drain pipe from its connection to the wall or ground. Then measure the washer’s drain line from the bottom to the exact measurements you got after measuring the utility sink drain pipe.

After measuring the washer drain pipe up to the exact measurements of the sink drain, put a mark. The marked place is where you shall fix the Y-fitting that separates the two drains.

Step 3: Cut the Washer’s Drain Pipe

Once you mark the washer’s drain, cut it from that point to any place on the above venting pipe.

The washer consists of a T-fitting where water coming from the drain turns downwards and goes towards the exit. You will also need to cut that horizontal T-fitting.

After cutting the pipe, smoothen the edges with a de-burrer or sandpaper to eliminate uneven edges that may deter the proper connection of the lines.

Step 4: Fix the Y-Fitting and Connect the Utility Sink to the Washer Drain

When you finish with the pipe cutting, it’s time to connect the utility sink and washing machine to the same drain. You need to pay attention when connecting the utility sink to the washer drain because it entails a lot.

If you skip anything or do it incorrectly, the entire process will flop.

First, connect your washer’s drain pipe with a PVC Y-fitting. The top arm of the fitting will connect to the above venting pipe.

As for the side arms, one will connect to the tube with water flowing horizontally. The other arm will attach to the line connecting the laundry room sink with its drain.

Secure the connections using the plumber’s glue or putty to avoid leakages. These plumber’s sealants are affordable and easily accessible in the hardware next door. They also connect the joints tightly and are waterproof.

Step 5: Search for the Water Sources

You cannot hook up the washer to sink without adjusting your water source. After finishing with the drains connection, you need to connect the water lines.

Start by investigating the location of the hot and cold water pipes serving your washer. Mostly, you will find the two pipes running into a fitting located on the water pipe.

At this hot and cold hookup point, disconnect the waterline. Sometimes the water pipe may not contain the fitting.

In such a case, find a bucket and place it under the water pipe where you will cut. Then cut the water line at a place that is midway between the laundry room sink and the washer.

Remember to smoothen the cut edges of the pipe for easier connection. Threading the cut area with an appropriate tool will work out fine.

Step 6: Install a Pipe Splitter to the Cold and Hot Water Pipes

When you finish cutting and threading the water pipe, use a two-headed pipe splitter to fix a splitter on both the cold and hotlines.

Ensure the splitter gets tightly secured by reinforcing it with a wrench. The fixed splitter will help separate the cold and hot pipes from the water supply. One line heads to your utility sink while the other goes to the washer.

After connecting and securing a splitter to the cold and hot water lines, reattach the washer with the pipes. You can buy and install other pipes if you wish, or the existing ones are not in good condition. Whichever the case, use pliers or a wrench to reconnect the tubes.

Step 7: Attach Hoses to the Utility Sink

With the splitters in place, you need to connect them to the flexible cold and warm tubing. First, ensure that the tubing reaches the utility sink.

Use a red flexible tubing to connect to the hot water line and a blue one for the cold water. That way, differentiating them becomes easy. Insert a nut to tighten these connections appropriately. A wrench will help you out.

Last Step: Connect the Flexible Water Tubes to the Sink’s Faucet Hookups

After fixing the splitters to the flexible hot and cold pipes, you should connect the tubes to the laundry faucet hookups.

Ensure that you seal and tighten all the connections. When finished, open the main water supply to test if the connection works out perfectly.

Look out for any leakages and seal them. Remember to switch off your water’s main supply when redoing a step or sealing a leaking drain.

If the water runs quickly and smoothly after the connection, you will have successfully installed your utility sink close to your washer.

You are now aware that utility sink installation is not complicated but requires much of your time and attention with the above information.

Can a Washer and Utility Sink Share a Drain?

Yes, a sink and a washing machine can be connected to the same drain.

If a washing machine and a laundry sink have the same drain, you might be able to vent with only a single vent if they were close enough.

In that case, you can join their vents before bringing them together to form the main vent stack. Because adequate venting is essential to the functioning of the drain, it is crucial to have your work inspected. Most building departments demand it.

Examine the sewer pipe’s inlet nearest the sink and washing machine. This is usually a pipe with an open end that stands alone. A tee connection will need to be installed if the sink inlet does not already have one.

How to Connect a Laundry Sink and Washing Machine to the Same Drain

Most laundry rooms contain stainless steel laundry sinks that act as a drain for the area’s washing machine.

One way this happens is by placing the washing machine’s drain hose on the sink’s edge. With this in place, the water from the washing machine will go directly into the sink. It will then exit through the sink’s drainage.

But if your laundry sink has a drain pipe of 2 – inches, you can connect the washer drain hose to the sink.

Smaller drains cannot accommodate the washer’s water volume discharged. You will need to install a separate P-trap and standpipe to prevent water from backing up.

If you want your laundry room sink and washing machine to use the same drain, use the following step-by-step guide to connect them.

Step 1: Assemble the Required Items

Without all the proper materials needed, the connection process will fail. That’s why you need to collect all items required first. Ensure you have;

  • T-fitting
  • Rotary cutting tool
  • PVC glue or primer
  • Hack saw
  • Sandpaper
  • Rubber coupling
  • Hose clamps
  • Screwdriver

Step 2: Examine the Sewer Tube Near Your Washing Machine and Sink

The sewer pipe is usually a tube standing freely and with an open end. Check whether it has a tee connection. If not, you will have to install one.

Step 3: Close the Water Supply to Your Laundry Sink and Washer

The fixtures that supply water to your washing machine and laundry sink come with two supply valves each. One valve is for the hot water while the other supplies cold water. Turn them off.

Step 4: Unplug your Washing Machine

After disconnecting all the water supplies, unplug your washing machine’s power cable from the power source for safety.

Step 5: Cut the Sewer Tube

Cut the sewer tube in half, approximately halfway down when the washer gets safely unplugged from the energy source.

You will need to cut the metal pipe using a rotary cutting tool that has a metal blade. But use an ideal saw such as a hack saw to cut the PVC pipe.

Note: Don’t forget to smoothen the cut edges with sandpaper.

Step 6: Fix the T-Fitting to the Sewer Line

After cutting the sewer inlet tube:

  • Connect a T-fitting to it.
  • Secure the T-fitting using hose clamps and a rubber coupling.
  • Use a screwdriver to tighten the clamps.
  • Ensure the Tee points towards the sink drain pipe direction.

Step 7: Attach a Straight Drain Tube to the T-Fitting’s Top

When through with fixing the T-fitting, connect its top with a straight drain pipe. If the T-fitting gets made of metal, secure the connection with the drain tube using a rubber coupling.

But if using a PVC Tee, attach it with the drain tube using PVC glue or primer. Then keep the pipe steady by clamping it to the nearest wall or stud.

Step 8: Test the Connection

After securing the drainpipe:

  • Turn on the water supply and test if the water flows and drains as expected.
  • Don’t forget to plug in your washing machine and put it on.
  • Seal any leaking areas using a water-resistant sealant. If you don’t find any dripping or leakages, you will have completed the connection of your laundry sink and washing machine to the same drain.

Key Takeaway

Installing a utility sink next to a washing machine is easy and it has many benefits.

You will evade certain inconveniences like dirtying your laundry room and spilling water all over. What’s impressive is that you don’t need a professional to connect because the process is straightforward.

This process also helps you save energy and water. You will also save more space when the washing machine and utility room laundry sink use the same drain.