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blownz281
12-03-2014, 07:46 PM
Our house is newer an seems like they don't even install drains in garages anymore. At least not in the south like the north. Anywho, there is a Large pipe with a cap on it beside the house. I was told this was called the easy out pipe or something by a builder. Not completely sure what that means or it's used for? We don't have septic tanks. But my question is could I plumb my drain pipe into this pipe? It's a large pipe 5" wide at least. Just curious if anyone knew what the pipe did?

sunfish
12-03-2014, 09:11 PM
Our house is newer an seems like they don't even install drains in garages anymore. At least not in the south like the north. Anywho, there is a Large pipe with a cap on it beside the house. I was told this was called the easy out pipe or something by a builder. Not completely sure what that means or it's used for? We don't have septic tanks. But my question is could I plumb my drain pipe into this pipe? It's a large pipe 5" wide at least. Just curious if anyone knew what the pipe did? :goteam:

jbyrd88888
12-03-2014, 10:06 PM
If you're not worried about oil spills, muddy tires/shoes, etc. would not recommend... PVC should be stretched the entire length and slightly protrude the exit. Steel wool/foam stuffed inside the drain, around the pvc to exclude curious critters... I'm sure it wouldn't pass an inspection but I have seen it done with a sink... it is possible to glue all the pvc joints and bends unless maybe your drain curves underground...

I'm sure you have thought about where allll that water will drain to.... recycle in garden?

JP
12-04-2014, 05:21 AM
Since I don't know the code in thé US, I'd advise you to call a plumber.

blownz281
12-04-2014, 02:55 PM
I wouldn't be putting any chemical down it put normal soaps. If I did wash something oily off I would put a bucket under it to catch the water from the pipe. Yes I thought about putting something over the PVC to keep bugs out of the pipe he best I could. It would drain out on the side of the house by ac drop. Which is grass an whole yard has a 6ft fence that you can't see in. I could always leave one of my big Rubbermaid tubes under the sink and have a open drain. Then just carry that an dump on the driveway.

raygrogan
12-04-2014, 05:58 PM
The pipe sounds like a "cleanout", which is used every once in a while to run a rotorooter down if you have sewer problems. If it is a cleanout then it most likely runs into your general sewer where all your house drains go. (If it goes out into your yard it is probably something to do with gutter drainage.)

I doubt if it meets code, but yes, you can use it as a drain. The main thing you would be missing (unless you put it in) is an S-turn ("trap") to hold water so that el stinko sewer gas does not come up your sink drain. You can connect to the big 5" pipe - it will have threads, get reducers, adapters, to plumb it in. You could even put in a "T" and leave a cleanout connection in case you need that you would not have to disassemble the sink. And a vent and you're pretty much up to code.

You could just open the clean out, dump water down it, and close it again. You may bugger up your threads if not careful. Keeping it closed except when in use would be best all round.

chong
12-04-2014, 06:31 PM
Our house is newer an seems like they don't even install drains in garages anymore. At least not in the south like the north. Anywho, there is a Large pipe with a cap on it beside the house. I was told this was called the easy out pipe or something by a builder. Not completely sure what that means or it's used for? We don't have septic tanks. But my question is could I plumb my drain pipe into this pipe? It's a large pipe 5" wide at least. Just curious if anyone knew what the pipe did?

If the cap has a square indentation or protrusion, then that is the building Cleanout. It is used for access to your sewer pipe to run a pipe router, e.g., Roto-Rooter, etc. to unclog any blockage in the pipe. If you want to connect to your sewer system, you can connect it to the main pipe that the Cleanout is connected to underground. You cannot connect your new drain to the vertical riser of the Cleanout. From any other source in your house, you can connect the drain directly to that underground pipe. However, if it's coming from your garage, you will need to run it through an Oil and Sand Separator before connecting to said underground pipe. The O&S Separator will need to be inspected periodically, and emptied accordingly. This is a code requirement and subject to permit, inspection and approval by your local health department or plumbing inspector. I am a mechanical engineer and among other things I design plumbing systems, so I cannot recommend running the drain directly to the sewer system. Also, the floor drain has to have a trap and vented to roof. If you have the O&S Separator, it will act as a trap, and you can vent it from there. If you do not provide a trap, sewer gases will be introduced inside the building, which will present a health hazard and a fire risk. If you have a trap but no vent, there is a risk that the water in the trap can get siphoned out and leave the floor drain open to the sewer system. Hope this helps.

Chong

blownz281
12-04-2014, 06:46 PM
Yes must be a clean out. We had gutters installed as it didn't have any so not for that. My thought was too cut a hole in the clean out with a hole saw an plumb my drain pipe into that. BUT only issue I might have is that's a long way for the water to flow so it might not drain. unless I slant it somehow? It's 33ft from location of tub to clean out.

blownz281
12-04-2014, 06:51 PM
Chong that makes sense. Thanks. Guess I better not mess with that then an just drain into the yard or a bucket. It's not like I will be using it everyday.

chong
12-04-2014, 06:57 PM
The pipe sounds like a "cleanout", which is used every once in a while to run a rotorooter down if you have sewer problems. If it is a cleanout then it most likely runs into your general sewer where all your house drains go. (If it goes out into your yard it is probably something to do with gutter drainage.)

I doubt if it meets code, but yes, you can use it as a drain. The main thing you would be missing (unless you put it in) is an S-turn ("trap") to hold water so that el stinko sewer gas does not come up your sink drain. You can connect to the big 5" pipe - it will have threads, get reducers, adapters, to plumb it in. You could even put in a "T" and leave a cleanout connection in case you need that you would not have to disassemble the sink. And a vent and you're pretty much up to code.

You could just open the clean out, dump water down it, and close it again. You may bugger up your threads if not careful. Keeping it closed except when in use would be best all round.

Ray brought up some good points. You will need to determine if the Cleanout (CO) is connected to the Sanitary Sewer or the Storm Drain. If there are no Downspouts or Rainleaders within 5-feet of the CO, there's a good chance that it serves the Sanitary system. Any water effluents that come from inside a building is required to connect only to the Sanitary. The trap that I was referring to in my previous post is called a P-Trap. You will find this in all plumbing fixtures. Yes, that's what holds the water that sits in the toilet bowl(an S-trap built-in to the toilet), and inconspicuously, under all sinks and lavatories, and not readily visible under floor, showers and tub drains. All of these have Vent connections to the outside. Further I need to clarify that the drain requiring an O&S Separator from the garage is a floor drain only. If you are installing a wash sink/tub in the garage, you will NOT need the O&S Separator, just the P-trap and vent. However, if you plan on cleaning a lot of oil laden and greasy materials, you will need an oil/water separator. This can be installed on the floor. You will need to empty the oil compartment periodically before it gets full.

merce3
12-04-2014, 07:00 PM
i didn't take the time to read any of the other responses but i have the same pipe and it's used to snake out any clogs... i wouldn't mess with it in any way that will make that task more difficult. it should be located near your kitchen/bathroom.

blownz281
12-04-2014, 07:04 PM
Nope it is located in front of the house.

chong
12-04-2014, 07:20 PM
Chong that makes sense. Thanks. Guess I better not mess with that then an just drain into the yard or a bucket. It's not like I will be using it everyday.

If you're just cleaning something occasionally, even if there's some oil in them you can discharge them into the sanitary as long as they've been washed with detergent (or Goop, etc.) to break up the oils and emulsifies with water. A laundry tub will probably work, and you only need a 1-1/2" P-trap, drain, and vent. And of course, 1/2" hot and cold water pipes. If you have all the materials and tools, you can probably do it in a half a day plus the digging, or at least not the entire weekend. Good luck!

blownz281
12-04-2014, 07:43 PM
I have several 6ft PVC pipes I got for free at work. Plus the tub comes with facuet an kit with everything you need. What I have to do is cut the PVC down to about 4ft. Then I will drill a hole in the wall for the pipe to go into, to drain in the backyard hidden. It will be next to the AC drip pipe. Tricky part will be drilling it as I have to figure out where it will come out. I figure have my wife on one side an she can tap with a hammer an I can tell where it would come out into the yard.

Jose263
12-04-2014, 08:41 PM
I have several 6ft PVC pipes I got for free at work. Plus the tub comes with facuet an kit with everything you need. What I have to do is cut the PVC down to about 4ft. Then I will drill a hole in the wall for the pipe to go into, to drain in the backyard hidden. It will be next to the AC drip pipe. Tricky part will be drilling it as I have to figure out where it will come out. I figure have my wife on one side an she can tap with a hammer an I can tell where it would come out into the yard.

or use a tape measure - and be sure to avoid the wall studs :03:
What room is on the other side of the garage wall? Kitchen or bathroom? where are you planning on getting the water supply?

blownz281
12-04-2014, 08:48 PM
Nothing is on the side if the wall,an it's being installed in the garage. I will be drilling into the cement foundation lip. Hot water tanks are placed in garages down here.

Jose263
12-04-2014, 08:58 PM
Nothing is on the side if the wall,an it's being installed in the garage. I will be drilling into the cement foundation lip. Hot water tanks are placed in garages down here.

So, the garage is attached to the house if WH is in garage - I was trying to see if there might be plumbing in the wall separating the living area and garage - there would be plumbing if a bathroom, kitchen sink or laundry room was close by and might have access to a drain pipe..and also maybe water supply. if garage tub is mounted on wall opposite.
If water heater is in garage there should be a pan at bottom for overflow - where does that drain?

a.hulva@coxinet.net
12-04-2014, 10:24 PM
Our house is newer an seems like they don't even install drains in garages anymore. At least not in the south like the north. Anywho, there is a Large pipe with a cap on it beside the house. I was told this was called the easy out pipe or something by a builder. Not completely sure what that means or it's used for? We don't have septic tanks. But my question is could I plumb my drain pipe into this pipe? It's a large pipe 5" wide at least. Just curious if anyone knew what the pipe did? If it is white with a cap on it it is probably a clean out to give access to the main waste water drain from the house. The other possibility is that is the main water valve to turn the water on and off going into the house. Get a flash light and look down into the pipe to see if there is a copper valve about 1 1/2 to 2 feet down. If it you see a valve it is not a drain. Put a garden hose down, turn on. If it backs up if is not a drain. Call if I can help.
Al 405.818.6736

cincinnana
12-04-2014, 11:43 PM
Mr .Blownz281...
Check out these links

Google /Youtube .......Drain diagrams.....and all your ideas will be answered.
Yes. you may tie into this pipe...

I think if I had the setup as yours I would also try the same thing....now if you could just get a natural gas heater on the wall:08:

This will give you a good idea of what is under the ground/behind the walls in your house also.

blownz281
12-05-2014, 04:23 PM
Jose, yes the back wall the hot water tank is against is the laundry room. Washer an dryer in there of course. I thought about the washer drain as well. Thing is that's a steep incline. Hot water tank has nowhere for it to drain, if I drain it there is a spiget nozzle to catch water in a bucket. It has electric going into the wall, pipe feeding tank water an the evap thermal tank has a line connected to that. Unless the pressure pushes waste water up an into a drain?

blownz281
12-05-2014, 04:26 PM
Thanks Al! But its a clean out as we have electric water meter valves. Water company said they have to shut off water and computer substation. There is no manual valve anywhere plus I looked.

blownz281
12-05-2014, 04:28 PM
Checking it out Mike

blownz281
12-05-2014, 04:39 PM
Mike I get the idea. Thing is I don't want to put a hole in the wall an risk hitting something. Of course I would rather have it drain in a pipe then the yard though in the long run.

blownz281
12-05-2014, 04:43 PM
With HOA if someone saw a pipe coming from my garage going into the clean out they might report it. So would rather not deal with that drama so I'm going to x that idea 🌴

raygrogan
12-05-2014, 06:36 PM
You are getting a lot of good suggestions. Here is a marginal one. Since you do not need to drain very much water very often, you could consider what is done to drain water from your AC, heater, etc. The cheapo version is just a 5 gal bucket, then drop in a small pump with a float switch, adapt that to a garden hose which can then exit the garage way higher, maybe up in your ceiling area (perhaps to an existing hole like a vent), then out to your yard. I didn't have patience to find you the best (meaning smallest / cheapest) , but here is overkill http://www.franklin-electric.com/media/documents/995120.pdf What you want in general is a condensate pump and set up. Most of them will lift water up to ceiling height or better. You could run small tubing up and out, then adapt to the garden hose once you were outside.

cincinnana
12-05-2014, 06:40 PM
With HOA if someone saw a pipe coming from my garage going into the clean out they might report it. So would rather not deal with that drama so I'm going to x that idea 🌴

After five years or so people stretch the rules.
Hoa's stop the riffraff from putting all kinds of sh$$t in the yard and driveway.
Install the drain ....plant a bush in front of it.
Hoa's can not stop you from upgrading your plumbing even if you put a spar on the outside of the house.

Read the rules....
My rule is...".It is better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission":08:

blownz281
12-05-2014, 06:50 PM
Ray I read about that idea thanks. Mike yes I know that. So the line that had the thermal tank connected to it would be the drain for the hot water tank? If I did go through the wall how would I find the drain with out having a large hole or several in the wall?

jbyrd88888
12-05-2014, 09:00 PM
Your foundation is concrete but what is the exterior of your wall brick, vinyl, wood...? Measure from the edge of the room then account for the thickness of the wall and measure from the edge of the house from the exterior... Measuring tape??? Stud finder???

cincinnana
12-05-2014, 09:07 PM
Ray I read about that idea thanks. Mike yes I know that. So the line that had the thermal tank connected to it would be the drain for the hot water tank? If I did go through the wall how would I find the drain with out having a large hole or several in the wall?

Send me a pic from your iPad I will temporarily post it for you .
That way we know wth is going on..