How to Set Up Laundry Room Plumbing for a Washing Machine

Set up laundry room plumbing and install a washing machine with these expert tips.

Kimberly Gavin

you could’t just buy a washing machine, bring it home, and hope it works.

These dutiful appliances need to be hooked up to a water supply and draining system first.

Stacked washer and dryer

Credit:Kimberly Gavin

These valves look like outdoor hose bibs but point straight down.

The drain for either of these must slope down at a rate of 1/4 inch per running foot.

Adjust the front legs to check that the machine is level in both directions.

Set Tee Fitting

Apply flux and sweat the tee fitting in place.

Or try a compression fitting.

Add lengths of pipe to reach the laundry tub for thewashing machineplumbing rough-in.

This includes tees to run pipes to the washer.

At the end of each supply pipe, sweat on a brass supply stub out.

Anchor the stub outs to the wall with masonry screws.

Runcopper linesto the washer.

Add supply stub outs and anchor them to the wall with masonry screws.

Apply pipe-thread tape and hand-twist each hose bib into its stub out, then tighten it with a wrench.

A plastic utility sink is inexpensive and easy to put together.

Install stop valves on the sink stub outs.

Install a faucet onto the sink and connect supply tubes to the stop valves.

Glue an adapter to the pipe end and attach the trap.

Set the washing machine in place and level it.

Screw the machine’s supply lines to the valves and tighten with pliers.

Drape the drain hose over the side of the utility sink and clamp it firmly in place.