How to install a utility sink next to a washer

A sink can be a great add-on to any laundry room or garage if you have space for it. It can be used as a utility sink to wash clothes by hand to remove stains or to aid the general upkeep and cleaning of the house.

Adding a utility sink to the laundry room helps to minimize the plumbing clutter by utilizing the same drain for both the washer and the sink. Adding a utility sink to a laundry room will not only minimize plumbing clutter but also help tremendously with the maintenance in near future.

One other advantage of this installation is that you can save a lot of money just by doing it yourself. This article will give you an in-depth how to guide on how-to install a laundry sink.

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Tools needed for utility sink installation

Before you get going with the installation, you need to get the following tools to have a smooth operation.

  • PVC Y-fitting
  • PVC hand saw
  • Wrench
  • Pliers
  • Tape measure
  • Plumber’s glue
  • Brass pipe splitters
  • Sandpaper

After getting all these, move on to the next step.

Steps for Installing a Utility Sink Next To a Washer

Don’t let the length of the steps scare you. They are packed with information to save a few hours for you. The main process is not so long.

  • Step 1 – Measure the Height of the Drain Pipe

If you have any experience with tools, you know that the first part is always with the tapes.

Here, you first have to measure the distance of the drain line connection from the ground. Now mark this length on your washer’s drain line. This is the point where your washer will connect to the utility sink with a Y-fitting.

  • Step 2 – Cut a Section of the Existing Drain Pipe

At his point of utility sink installation, you will need the PVC cutting hand saw. With this tool, cut on the drainpipe where you made a mark in step 1. You should extend the pipe about a foot to the existing venting pipe.

While doing so, you will quickly realize that you have to make a cut on the T-fitting. On the T-fitting, the waste water from the washing machine winds up towards the exit vent or the drain pipe. Now, you need to grab a sandpaper and smooth the edges out in the PVC pipe. This does the de-burring and prevents leaks along the way.

  • Step 3 – Attaching Y-Fitting

At this stage, you need to install the Y fitting in the drain pipe.

The Y-fitting has three arms. If you want to accommodate the venting pipe, you can use the double wye fitting, which has three arms on the top and one in the bottom.

Of the two side arms, one will connect to the drain pipe from the washer, and the other will connect to the drain pipe from the utility sink. The bottom arm will connect to the existing main drain pipe, and the arm on the top will connect to the venting pipe. Venting pipe is used to eliminate gurgling noise in the drain pipes.

  • Step 4 – Locating Water Sources

Now we need to split the water supply for both the washer and utility sink faucet.

There are both hot and cold water supply lines close to your wash area. Now, notice that both run into a single pipe. Now you need to make sure that both hot and cold hookups are disconnected. Make sure that you have a handy small empty bucket to catch any water draining from the pipes.

Now connect the brass pipe splitter in these hookups. Otherwise, if there is one continuous pipe of water, you will need to cut it and install a splitter somewhere between the washer and the sink. You should now use a wrench to make a secure and tight connection.

You also have the option to thread the pipes here if you want to. The end goal of this part is to make leak-free splitting for the water pipes to both washer and utility faucet.

  • Step 5 – Hookup the Connections to the Utility Sink.

This is the core part of the utility sink installation. Until now, you have done everything else that allows you to connect the water lines to the utility sink faucet or touch tap – whichever one you want to use.

Now, connect the tubing to the hot and cold pipes from the splitter and mark the pipes red for hot and blue for the cold with a marker or tape. After confirming that you have correctly labeled the pipes, connect the other ends to the utility sink faucet. Again, to make a secure leak-less connection, use a wrench.

  • Step 6 – Assembling Connections to the Faucet

This is the final step towards your DIY project. To avoid your laundry room from flooding, you should do this step after turning off the water supply.

First, you need to place the faucet. Noteworthy utility sink faucet comes equipped with rubber nuts and gaskets to ensure a hassle-free and leak-less installation. Whether you want a touch tap-enabled faucet or a conventional one, the steps will remain the same.

Now go under the sink with a wrench to mount the nuts and make a secure connection. Now locate the hot and cold pipes on the handles of the faucet and connect them accordingly. Now it is time to put the wrenches in use again.

Now, both the water connection and drain lines are split and connected to the washer and sink. To test all the connections, turn on the water supply and check if every seal is tight. If some seal leaks, turn off the water immediately and use putty to seal out the connections completely.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed all the necessary steps to connect a utility sink next to a washer. This project helps to conserve energy and resources, which can also be seen in your water and electricity bills.

If you have not started this project, grab the tools now, allow yourself an hour and start making progress.

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