Installing a utility sink next to your washer will save you time and money. It might seem like an annoying project, but it’s super simple! Read on for step-by-step instructions.
A utility sink is a perfect addition to any laundry room or mudroom. If you’re tired of wasting water by hand washing clothes in a basin, this tutorial will show you how easy it is to install one yourself.
The best part about installing a utility sink next to your washer is that now no matter what size load of laundry you have, there’ll always be enough space for everything without having to move things around or use the floor as an extra spot for drying clothes during winter months.
This detailed guide will teach you how to install a utility sink next to the washer, including what supplies are needed and where they should be placed before installation begins. Read our recently published buying guide on reviews on RV sinks & top-rated granite sinks.
Table Of Contents
8 Steps To Install A Utility Sink Next To Washer
Turn Off The Water Line
To begin, turn off the waterline. To do this, find the knob on your washer that controls how much water comes out of it and turn it all the way to “off.”
Next, find where your valve is for turning off the mainline coming into your house (typically in a laundry room closet) and make sure it is turned off, too.
If you don’t off the water supply at the mains, it will leak when you break into the pipe and create a huge mess. It’s important to know where this valve is before starting any plumbing work – it can be tricky to find in an older home.
Start Measuring Drain
Measuring the drain is essential for installing a utility sink. You’ll need to measure from where your washer is and the top of your plumbing system.
A standard length is usually three feet, but it can vary depending on what type of sink you have and how much space there is in your laundry room.
Use a tape measure or ruler to measure the distance, then mark it on the wall with a pencil or marker. Make sure you can see this well after installation is finished, you won’t be making any other marks on the wall, and anything that isn’t at an angle of 45° or more won’t drain properly!
Once the drain line is measured, use duct tape to attach it on both sides and seal it with silicone. Cut and tack into place before sealing at either side of your wall for final installation.
The pipe will be sealed with some type of adhesive material such as “Silicone Sealant.” This should never be used in areas with an open flame, such as when cooking or applying heat to the area.
Once it has been sealed, you can install your utility sink on top of it and enjoy all the benefits that come along with this handy addition!
Start Cutting The Current Drain Pipe
To start, cut the existing drain pipe. Measure from where your washer is and extend it to just above the floor of your utility sink area. Cut with a hacksaw or jigsaw – you’ll need at least 24 inches for extra length in case something goes wrong during installation.
Next, install a new pipe that reaches about three feet up. It would be best to use a threaded PVC pipe with an appropriate adapter to seal the ends.
Once it is cut, you can make sure that your new drain pipe isn’t long enough by measuring from the top of your plumbing system and checking against where you want the sink – this will ensure that there’s plenty of space for all water go down without any leaks.
After you’ve measured and cut the pipe, attach it to either side of your wall with duct tape before sealing in place with silicone sealant – make sure that these seals are tacked into the drywall, or else they won’t work correctly!
This should be done before installing your utility sink on top because once all is sealed, you won’t be able to make any more holes in the wall. After sealing the pipe installation with silicone sealant, it’s time to install your new utility sink!
This can be done by following instructions from an individual manufacturer or through these steps:
- Position a level on top of where the sink will go and use duct tape or a level to hold it in place
- With the plies lined up, drill holes at both ends of your pipes and screw them into place with the appropriate screws
- Now you can install any other drain components that are needed. These include pop-up stopper assemblies, water diverters, vent stacks, etc.
Make sure you know how to install your sink before starting, or else it will be a complete nightmare.
Connect Y-fitting & Add Up Laundry Sink To Washer Drain
It’s time to connect your Y-fitting and add up the laundry sink. The first step is to measure how long a pipe you’ll need for this fitting to reach the bottom of the washer drain before cutting – make sure that there will be at least six inches after installation for any additional purposes.
If you have a standard distance of three feet, your pipe will need to be about five and a half feet long with an outlet that can fit the width of our Y-fitting; usually, one inch or so should do just fine!
Cut this length of pipe at each end before adding it up with threaded PVC pipes as well as your Y-fitting. Make sure that you use appropriate sealant for this installation before connecting the pipes and screwing in place!
Once it is connected, you can attach one end to the washer drain while ensuring no leaks so far – if they occur, then go back and tighten all of those fittings until you are sure that there is no leakage.
Now, take the other end of your pipe and attach it to a standard laundry sink drain before tightening in place – this should also be done with sealant for maximum durability!
You can now enjoy having both appliances next to one another without any spills or messes. Just make sure that the pipe is long enough and that you’ve measured correctly before cutting. Lastly, make sure to use a silicone sealant around any connections, or else they will leak.
If it does happen, tighten the fittings until there’s no more leakage – this should also be done where your sinks attach to the walls for maximum durability in case someone trips over the pipe.
Find Water Sources
Now that the drain is in place, it’s time to find the water source that will power your new utility sink. Because you’re installing it next to a washer, then there are probably plenty of options – if not, then you can use an external hose with a coupling before attaching the other end to your appliance.
The only downside is that this may be more difficult than just hooking up a hose to the bathroom sink, but it will save you from having to install any additional water line.
However, there are still plenty of options for getting your washer’s dirty water into your new utility sink – these include:
- Using an external or existing garden hose with a coupling at one end and attaching on the other
- Directing the hose into a bucket to then pour it in when needed
The only downside of this is that you’ll need to move your washer sometimes, but if you’re willing to put up with those inconveniences, then go ahead and install one of these water sources today!
Attach Pipe Splitter To The Cold & Hot Water Lines
This next step is to attach a pipe splitter to the cold and hot water lines coming out of your washer. Using a two-headed brass pipe splitter, screw the splitter onto the pipe and then tighten it in place – make sure there are no leaks before moving on to the next step.
Beginning with installing a splitter to secure your cold and hot water pipes, reconnect the washer’s water inlet to the fitting before tightening it on enough so that there are no leaks.
You can then use either cold or hot water for your utility sink, as well as both at once! If you’re using a two-head pipe splitter, then make sure that each has a rubber sealant underneath them before screwing on and tightening up.
Lastly, make sure that you don’t forget to use some silicone sealant around any of these connections to be durable in the future! If it does happen that water leaks out from your washer, then tighten all fittings until there are no more issues – this should also be done with sink fittings where they attach to the walls.
Join Hoses
To install a utility sink next to your washer, measure the length of tubing you need and connect it at one end to the pipe splitter’s hot and cold lines.
Now you can then attach the other end to your new utility sink’s water inlet by screwing on and tightening up – make sure that there are no leaks before proceeding!
You should now have two hoses coming out of either side of this pipe, connected to your washer and utility sink. It might be a good idea for them to be of different lengths so that they can stretch to the locations – if not, then make sure you’ve measured correctly before cutting.
Lastly, use some silicone sealant around either end of this connection for maximum durability if someone trips over it!
Final Step
Your last step is to connect the hot and cold water tubes to the hooks on your utility sink – these are usually on the side to ensure that you have easy access when using them.
Now your utility sink is installed and can be used for washing dishes or clothes! You may need some maintenance from time to time for this investment to last a long while – but if you’re looking for an alternative way of doing the laundry, then this is it!
Now that you’ve finished installing a utility sink make sure to admire your work and take care of the product by cleaning up any messes or leaks before they become a bigger problem.
Final Verdict
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