Washing Machine Dumps Into Sump

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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Inspected a home yesterday that had the Clothes washing machine dumping into the sump pump drain line. The line went to a open storm drain. Seller says it’s been this way for 20 years. Is this wrong, I feel it is because your dumping dirty water. Looked in Code Check and can not locate anything. Anybody know if this is wrong and a reference for it?



NACHI MAB!

Originally Posted By: dfrend
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As far as I know it is wrong, but not sure on the code reference.



Daniel R Frend


www.nachifoundation.org


The Home Inspector Store


www.homeinspectorstore.com

Originally Posted By: jbehling
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I think it would be more of a municipal thing, overloading of the storm drain system. I know that here we are not aloud to dump the sump into the storm drain at all, it must eject onto the property.


Originally Posted By: jpeck
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The discharge from the clothes washer must go to the sanitary sewer system. If the sump discharges to the sanitary sewer system, then, maybe, it would be okay.



Jerry Peck


South Florida

Originally Posted By: cmccann
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This is how I reported the concern to the client.


In my opinion the washing machine should not be dumped with the sump pump. The machine puts out dirty soap water into the soil which can lead to contamination. Consultation with the local municipality is advised on the regulations of gray water dumping. Recommend review by plumbing contractor for routing the machine dump water into sewer line.


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NACHI MAB!

Originally Posted By: Susan
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I wouldn’t think that discharging hot/warm (not to mention sudsy) water would be good for the sump pump. Check with your AHJ.


My parents house that was built in the late 50s had a basement where the washer discharged into the sump pit. My mom used to tie pantyhose at the end of the hose so that lint would get caught in the nylon and not go into the crock. It discharged back into the ground though.


Originally Posted By: cmccann
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The discharge actually goes out the side of the house and into the sump drain line, bypassing the pump.



NACHI MAB!