It is common knowledge that washing machines use a significant amount of water and that this water must be disposed of. There are differences depending on the plumbing situation you’re in. Even though it’s straightforward with city plumbing, it doesn’t make much sense to empty your entire laundry tub of used washing machine water into your septic tank.
Ask if you can run the washing machine drain outside. Though it will be challenging and in some places it might even be illegal, it is possible. The easiest way to run a washing machine drain hose outside is to swap out the drainage pipe with one that leads to your backyard.
The piping from your laundry room can then be connected to your irrigation system for watering your lawn or to a greywater tank. There are several ambiguities associated with draining a washing machine outside. You can read more about how to run the washing machine drain outside in our guide or, if that isn’t an option, how to use one of your other options for washing machine drainage.
Is It Illegal In Georgia To Drain A Washing Machine Outside?
It is acceptable if the grey water recycling system’s lines are where the washing machine drain discharges. Georgia, in contrast to Florida, permits the use of treated gray water for both subsurface irrigation and flushing toilets and urinals.
To avoid using dishwasher water, though, still applies in this situation. If you want to avoid facing legal consequences, you must abide by them.
Is It Illegal To Drain A Washing Machine Outside In California?
The use of grey water is permitted everywhere in California, one of the states with friendlier regulations. Draining a washing machine outside is entirely legal in California. The following conditions must be met for your washing machine system to be regarded as legal, though.
- A three-way valve is a requirement for your system. It is done to enable communication between the septic and sewer lines.
- The water must pass through your yard and be specifically used for agricultural purposes, such as irrigation.
- The water must remain on your own property to guarantee proper flow back into the system.
- No dangerous chemicals should be present in the water.
Is It Illegal To Drain A Washing Machine Outside In Missouri?
Does the state allow washing machines to be drained outside? , it is a violation and considered illegal to drain a washing machine outside. You should strictly refrain from draining the washing machine outside, in contrast to the other states.
Only if you are installing a new system is it possible to drain a washing machine outside. The washing machine can therefore be drained outside temporarily. You will also be subject to legal repercussions in addition to that.
Is It Illegal In The Uk To Drain A Washing Machine Outside?
In contrast to the United States, where some states permit washing machine drain outside, the UK does not allow this. In the United Kingdom, it is forbidden to drain a washing machine outside.
Only the designated sewage lines are supposed to be connected to your washing machine’s drain. If it is attached improperly, such as to a storm or rainwater drain, it is prohibited. Then, in addition to harming your immediate surroundings, you will be aiding a global environmental cause.
In Texas, Is It Against The Law To Drain A Washing Machine Outside?
Texas has comparatively friendlier regulations and permits washing machines to drain outside. If you have a grey water treatment system installed and your daily drain water usage is under 400 gallons, you are actually exempt from needing a permit.
It can be safely drained outside for agricultural purposes and used to water your lawn. Your lawn will actually look greener and healthier if you use it on it. Despite the fact that it seems dirty, grey water is actually a vital fertilizer that boosts the nutrients in your lawn and plants.
However, if your water usage goes over the permitted cap of 400 gallons per day, it turns into illegal activity, and you could get in trouble. If you want to discharge more than 400 gallons of grey water per day at that point, you must obtain a permit.
Is It Illegal In Alabama To Drain A Washing Machine Outside?
It is acceptable to drain your washing machine outside in Alabama if your home has a designated and already-installed grey water line. You can also simply dump it on the ground in the same manner.
Making sure that the drain water stays on your property and does not leak outside is the only thing you need to worry about.
In Michigan, Is It Against The Law To Drain A Washing Machine Outside?
It is legal in the state of Michigan to specifically intend to drain the washing machine that is used to wash your clothes. It depends on the source of the gray water as long as safety is taken into account.
It is regarded as safe and may be directly drained into your yard if it originates from a washing machine used to wash clothes. The drain water from a dishwasher, on the other hand, is regarded as hazardous and should not be discharged into your yard.
Is Florida A Legal State For Washing Machine Draining Outside?
Draining washing machines outside in Florida is permitted under certain circumstances. Despite the fact that the water came from a washing machine that was only used for washing clothes, it is illegal to drain it if you plan to use it for subsurface irrigation of your yard.
In contrast, the only circumstance in which it is considered to be legal is when used to flush in urinals and toilets. The discharge must first pass through the designated sanitary drainage system, though.
Can I Let My Washer Drain Outside?
For inside cleaning, use a biodegradable laundry detergent. Although not necessary, a grey water tank or pump is nice to have.
The safety of your plants and lawn may be a concern for you. Your choice of detergent and washing machine type has a significant impact.
If it’s a washing machine for clothes, you’re probably safe. If it’s a dishwashing machine, however, it’s not recommended to let the water drain outside and into the soil of your garden.
How To Drain Washing Machine Outside
Since every washing machine tub plumbing system is unique, you might need to abide by particular guidelines; the steps are straightforward and should be modified to fit your home and neighborhood.
The first step is to choose a location for the washing machine emptying.
Draining into a barrel (so you can water your grass in smaller bursts), your irrigation system or just a hose outside will cause the least amount of harm to the areas you water.
If you use a barrel, make sure it can hold at least 41 gallons of water because this is the amount of water that a washer typically uses.
You’ll need a laundry sump pump and possibly a licensed plumber to install it for you if you want to drain laundry water from the basement to the ground floor.
Whatever your plan, you’ll need additional tubing as well as a 1-inch hose to direct the water through.
Run your new tubing through your drainage system after connecting it to the open end of the existing washer drain hose.
Your decision as to whether to include a pump, a sump pit or an irrigation channel is yours.
Laundry water is classified as “greywater,” which means it will cause minimal damage to your lawn and hasn’t come into contact with water from toilets.
If you use biodegradable, environmentally friendly detergents, there shouldn’t be any issues with using laundry water for irrigation. For the majority of plant life, detergent is too caustic.
There are a few things to consider if you want to use greywater in your yard:
Detergents with a phosphorus base are good for plants, but those with a sodium base are not. Detergents with low sodium and mild phosphorus are thus appropriate.
If you regularly wash diapers or other items with feces, refrain from using waste to water your yard. You could become ill from the bacteria in this water. It poses a serious risk to one’s health. Trying to water your plants with your septic tank would be analogous to this.
Is It Possible To Drain Your Washing Machine Into Your Yard?
This is heavily influenced by the type of washing machine you have. Your yard is safe if your washing machine washes clothes. Draining the water into the yard is not a good idea if it is used to wash dishes.
Greywater is the water you use to wash your clothes. You need not worry about any of the plants being harmed because this is completely safe for your garden. You can also irrigate your garden using this water, in addition. This is true only if you use biodegradable, environmentally friendly detergents.
Never allow water that has been mixed with dish soap to enter the yard because your plants could suffer greatly from this.
Should You Contact A Professional?
Generally speaking, the answer is no. You do not need a handyman if all you need to do is reroute the piping into a big barrel. On the other hand, if you have a lot of building codes, a complex irrigation system that requires burying pipes underground, or you need to install a sump pit, things change very quickly.
