Author Topic: How best to upgrade this plumbing?  (Read 1495 times)

mozar

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How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« on: December 15, 2020, 01:15:26 PM »
I want to clean up the look of my washing machine pipes. I prefer that they not be visible. Although that might have been done because it's an exterior wall. I don't want to build the wall inward because it's already a small room. It would be simple to replace the washing machine box with something new, but the knobs are so corroded that the plumber cut the pipes above the box and put new knobs there. Any suggestions? The water lines go into the water heater on the right.

yachi

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2020, 01:40:59 PM »
You could start by removing the hoseclamp from the pipe on the left- that's not needed.  Then you can cut the black zip ties off the drain pipe.

If you're feeling crazy you can get a new washing machine outlet box, and bring the lines in the bottom of it instead of the top.  Is this box on the side of washing machine?  They're usually positioned so the washing machine hides it.

I'm not a fan of your plumber: If the knobs on the angle valves are too corroded to be used, the valves will be a potential source of leakage in the future.  They're redundant now which allows you to shut off the water to them if they do start to leak, but you'll still need to call the plumber to replace them because you won't have water to the washing machine.

researcher1

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2020, 01:45:01 PM »
This is what I would do...
- Get rid of all that janky plumbing work...the hot/cold lines, washing machine outlet box, multiple sets of shut-off valves.
- Install a new/clean washing machine outlet box, with working valves.
- Run new water lines in a more logical fashion...without the secondary shut-off valves, overlapping lines, protruding from the wall, ect.
- Run the lines close together as they come out of the box and to the water heater.

You can then trim out/enclose this plumbing using 1x material, finish grade plywood, ect.
This is essentially just building a 3-sided chase/box/soffit (with the existing wall being the 4th side) to cover up the plumbing and give it a finished look.

Something like this, except using wood...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsfA1_YESrQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRvvGtjVPuI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps--eBUfrv8
« Last Edit: December 15, 2020, 01:46:46 PM by researcher1 »

Metalcat

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2020, 02:00:11 PM »
I agree with everyone else. Just replace everything that's wrong there.

As has already been mentioned, it's highly likely that the corroded valves will start leaking eventually and will need to replace them anyway.

I would either wait until that happens and then finish everything with nice esthetic covers, or proactively do it now.  I wouldn't spend a cent on esthetic compromises to try and cover that mess up a bit, which will only need to be ripped out and redone when you eventually have to deal with those valves.

mozar

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2020, 02:11:04 PM »
The washing machine is that white strip to the left. Eventually the washing machine will be turned with the back to the box.
I'm glad you all agree this is a mess! My hoa fees covers plumber services, but they only do the absolute minimum.
« Last Edit: December 15, 2020, 02:14:21 PM by mozar »

bacchi

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2020, 02:47:18 PM »
I'd get some pex and some sharkbite elbows and run the cold/hot behind the water heater to the ground and then connect the washing machine from there. That would eliminate everything at eye level except the drain, box, and the stack (why is that there?). New on/off valves can be installed right after the split from the water heater and cold supply.

mozar

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2020, 03:08:09 PM »
Quote
I'd get some pex and some sharkbite elbows and run the cold/hot behind the water heater to the ground and then connect the washing machine from there. That would eliminate everything at eye level except the drain, box, and the stack (why is that there?). New on/off valves can be installed right after the split from the water heater and cold supply.

Do you mean the vent or the drain pipe from the box? I'm looking at plumbing diagrams but I think they only help if what you have makes sense in the first place.
For the vent I had some flow issues so the plumber thought it was because there was no venting for the pipes, idk.

bacchi

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2020, 03:39:44 PM »
Quote
I'd get some pex and some sharkbite elbows and run the cold/hot behind the water heater to the ground and then connect the washing machine from there. That would eliminate everything at eye level except the drain, box, and the stack (why is that there?). New on/off valves can be installed right after the split from the water heater and cold supply.

Do you mean the vent or the drain pipe from the box? I'm looking at plumbing diagrams but I think they only help if what you have makes sense in the first place.
For the vent I had some flow issues so the plumber thought it was because there was no venting for the pipes, idk.

The vent. I've always seen them run inside a wall and then through the ceiling but it makes sense if it's "after market," so to speak.

yachi

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2020, 03:49:49 PM »
Quote
I'd get some pex and some sharkbite elbows and run the cold/hot behind the water heater to the ground and then connect the washing machine from there. That would eliminate everything at eye level except the drain, box, and the stack (why is that there?). New on/off valves can be installed right after the split from the water heater and cold supply.

Do you mean the vent or the drain pipe from the box? I'm looking at plumbing diagrams but I think they only help if what you have makes sense in the first place.
For the vent I had some flow issues so the plumber thought it was because there was no venting for the pipes, idk.

The vent. I've always seen them run inside a wall and then through the ceiling but it makes sense if it's "after market," so to speak.


Yeah, in normal systems, you take the point furthest from where your drains exit the house, and run a vent up through the roof.  That vent lets the system breathe, letting gas in and out.  It goes outside because you can't let sewer gas into your house.  The thing on the top of his vent is an air admittance valve.  It'll let air into the pipe, but not out. 

ChickenStash

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #9 on: December 16, 2020, 01:43:46 PM »
If the HOA allows it, maybe try hiring your own plumber to fix it if you can't/won't DIY. There's not much tubing to redo so any decently experienced plumber could do it fairly quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a competent plumber less time to do it the right way than it took to do what's there now.

As a side note, you might want to look into installing hammer arrestors near the spigots. I'm not sure if they are required by code everywhere but they are a good thing to have near appliances.

mozar

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Re: How best to upgrade this plumbing?
« Reply #10 on: December 17, 2020, 02:51:46 PM »
Yeah, I will be hiring a plumber. The advice on this thread will help me have a competent (hopefully) conversation with them.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!