Notices
Garage & Workshop Tips & Ideas for the garage or workshop. No Truck Tech Discussion   

Pipe size vs gpm flow

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 07:45 PM
  #1  
cpe41's Avatar
cpe41
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: north central Indiana
Pipe size vs gpm flow

Seemed like the logical place to post this, knowing that alot of you are pretty sharp on these things...

I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what size pipe would be required to carry a minimum of 17 gallon/minute of waste water...or where I might be able to find that kind of info. I'm trying to work out plans for our laundry room and the biggest hurdle at this point is the drain line for the washing machine.

The current setup is that the washer drains into a 20 gallon (I think) plastic utility tub which then drains into a floor drain through a gate valve, which is used to "throttle" the rate of flow out of the tub. Not the setup I would like to have.

Any input appreciated!!
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 08:44 PM
  #2  
Lead Head's Avatar
Lead Head
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Our washer has its own 1" hose that goes into a 2" PVC drain.
 
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2008 | 11:54 PM
  #3  
ford2go's Avatar
ford2go
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
Likes: 224
From: Frequently frozen MN
Most setups that I've seen (including mine) have the drain hose hooked over the edge of a laundry sink. I think our sink has a 2 inch drain. The water does rise in the sink, but it never overflows -- of course you have to keep the drain clear.

Does your washer really do 17gpm? Seems like a lot.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 03:30 PM
  #4  
pitrow's Avatar
pitrow
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Cornelius, Oregon
Originally Posted by Lead Head
Our washer has its own 1" hose that goes into a 2" PVC drain.
That's how it's been in every apartment/house I've ever lived in. I'd say a 2" pipe should be more than plenty.
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 06:21 PM
  #5  
zooom's Avatar
zooom
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Water flow...

For a first approximation you can use a drain pipe the same size as the discharge hose from the washing machine [it does flow 17 gpm, no?]. Anything larger would also work.

There isn't an easy correlation between just pipe size & flow; pressure needs to enter the equation as well. Higher pressure thru the same opening will flow more liquid....
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:25 PM
  #6  
cpe41's Avatar
cpe41
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: north central Indiana
The 17gpm figure comes from the manual for the washer, referencing the use of a drain line that will handle that amount at a minimum. That's a good point that zooom made concerning the pressure relating to gpm flow, and I realize that restrictions in the line (elbows and such) will also play a role. I may have to do some experimenting, but I know the pipe of the current floor drain would have to be extended above the floor, and a P-trap and vent would need to be installed as well. Hmmm...looks like a trip to Home Depot may be in the future.

I'm still open to any other thoughts on the subject!!
Thanks to all!
 
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:36 PM
  #7  
Chaosracing's Avatar
Chaosracing
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
You can get 17 gpm out of 1/2" pipe. There are a lot of factors to consider. The manual says it puts out 17 gpm, but your washer (depending on type) probably doesnt use that much. Its what the discharge pump is capable of doing. I know of a well pump that can do about 80 gpm out of a 2" pipe. You will be fine with a minimum of 1 1/2" pvc pipe.
 
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2008 | 07:47 PM
  #8  
cracked block's Avatar
cracked block
Mountain Pass
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
inch and one-half pipe will work fine. That's what the plumbing code calls for. However, you need a 3' lenght of 2" pipe on top of the trap to accept the soap suds.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 8, 2008 | 12:31 AM
  #9  
FordxFour's Avatar
FordxFour
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
In N.C. the drain has to be 2". Also if you're tying it into a line with a floor drain, toilet etc. make sure you put the connection downstream from that fixture's vent. Also a good Idea and enforced in some areas is to have it connected 5' downstream of another fixture due to the siphoning effect from the washer pump. If not hooked correctly the washer can siphon other fixture's traps dry resulting sewer gas in the dwelling.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2008 | 06:59 PM
  #10  
icepounder's Avatar
icepounder
New User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
My set up in the laundry room is just a 2" pvc pipe coming out of the wall. The discharge hose from the washing machine just goes into the pipe. I've never had a problem.
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2008 | 07:21 PM
  #11  
cpe41's Avatar
cpe41
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 339
Likes: 1
From: north central Indiana
So in theory the existing drain pipe in the floor (which measures 2") should be adequate as a drain line for the washing machine.

I've determined that this line, which is in a corner about a foot from the exterior wall, goes downwards just enough to clear the concrete slab floor and then makes a 90* bend outwards from the house and heads off in the general direction of the main septic line somewhere under my driveway. There are no other fixtures on this line, nor is there a vent anywhere.

My hope is to also install a new utility sink that would also utilize the same drain line. As I understand it, I would need to install P-traps for the sink and the washer, and will need a vent line for each one as well. My thinking is that they would each be placed (basically) on opposite walls of the room with the existing drain being along the wall between them. This may take some doing, but with the info I'm getting from all of you I'm thinking this may be workable.

Thanks! And if anyone has any other thoughts on the subject I'm all ears!
 
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2008 | 11:26 PM
  #12  
FordxFour's Avatar
FordxFour
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 1
From: Apex, N.C.
Just a couple more notes that may help

*Do not lay DWV tee's on their side's or back (vertical only)
*Minimum 2" DWV piping under a concrete slab
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Duke78
Paint & Bodywork
5
Jul 14, 2008 05:29 PM
Headrope
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Jun 5, 2007 08:30 PM
51dueller
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
28
Apr 24, 2007 01:30 AM
frdtruc1
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
May 29, 2005 12:49 PM
pounder90
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
7
Mar 29, 2005 11:00 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:48 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE