This article talks about laundry or utility sink pumps. Water clogging is a common issue faced by homeowners. This happens when the drain is clogged with debris or something got stuck in the pipe which stops water from flowing down the drain. Pumps are used to drain out water from inflated tubs and pools which makes them multipurpose and handy in many chores. Check out the rest of this article to find out why you need to install a laundry or utility sink pump.
What is a laundry/utility sink pump? When your laundry facilities are located below the elevation of the sewer, a laundry or utility sink pump is used. A sink pump can be found underneath the laundry tub or sink, just after the trap. Some laundry or sink pumps are designed with an automatic float switch that activates the pump when the laundry tub is filled.
How does the sink pump work? What does a utility sink pump do? How can you find the best laundry sink pump to install in your laundry room? These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. Find out how you can benefit from a laundry/utility sink pump by reading the rest of the article below.
What Does a Utility Sink Pump Do?
A utility sink pump is part of the utility tub. It activates every time the water runs and pushes through the tube. Under the drain, sink pumps are usually used to pump the drain water for laundry tray sinks, utility sinks, dishwashers, washing machines, bar sinks, and other basement remodeling projects. If gravity drain lines are not available, the pumps provide freedom to install fixtures.
How Do Sink Pumps Work?
A movable float on the sewage ejector pump begins to pump when the level of wastewater in the sump basin reaches a certain height. Then, wastewater is pumped out of the basin and up to the level of the sewer or septic line. As the water level in the basin goes down, the float drops back down and turns off the pump. Sink pumps are usually used in homes with basement bathrooms or laundry rooms. The pump sits on a sump basis that is cut and dug into the ground below.
On average, the sump basin can be able to hold about 30 gallons of waste for a moderately sized house. Drain lines from different fixtures located in the basement area are sloped down to the side of the sump basin. We have also shared this information that discusses how many gallons does a laundry sink hold. Check out the article for more information about the topic.
Does Utility Sink Need Vent?
A utility sink needs a vent. A vent is a vital part of the drain system for any plumbing fixture. Without proper venting, the negative pressure that is caused by the flow of draining water can such water out of the drain trap and enables sewer gases to enter the house. This can be dangerous and is easily avoided by making sure that all your plumbing fixtures are properly vented.
How Can Sink Pump Drain Pipes be Cleaned?
To sink a sink pump drain, a plumber’s snake is used. Insert the plumber’s snake at the end of the sink pipe and push it through towards the other end. In case the plumber snake cannot remove the blockage, you can spray water down the pipe with the use of a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle to help clear the blockage. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, can you store food in a laundry room? We have shared the pros and cons of storing food in the laundry room.
Do Utility Pumps Accept Warm or Hot Water?
This will have to depend on the type of utility pump. Take note that many utility pumps are not suited for hot water because they can cause harm to the thermal projector. Make sure to check the manual to find out the ideal temperature range that the utility pump can work under. Follow what is stated in the manual to avoid damaging the pump.
How to Choose the Best Utility Sink Pump?
Warranty, water transfer capacity, quality, and material are some of the things that you need to consider when you purchase a utility sink pump. Make sure that the product that you purchase is durable and can last for a long time so that you will get the best from what you have paid. You can also check out this article that we have written that talks about how to make the utility room look nice. We have shared ideas that you can follow.
Warranty
One of the things that you need to consider when purchasing a laundry/utility sink pump is the warranty. Read the warranty card and find out how to avail warranty in case the sink pump gets damaged after a few months. Some warranties can last for up to a few years.
Quality and Material
Make sure that you choose a laundry/utility sink pump with the best quality and made from durable materials. The sink pump should be sturdy and built of solid material. Choose utility pumps with stainless steel pump housing because they are durable and can be used for an extended period. Bear in mind that sink pumps are usually installed in damp places so they can get cloggy or rusty. Hence, you need to choose one that is of high quality and can last for a long time. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the best material for a laundry room sink? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.
Water Transfer Capacity
Another factor that you need to consider and perhaps one of the most important is the water transfer capacity of the sink pump. Avoid pumps with slow transfer capacity and take many hours to clear the water. Choose a utility sink pump according to the place where you need to install it. If it will be installed under a standard sink or in a laundry area, you do not need high-water transfer capacity. You can also check out this article that we have written titled, what sizes do utility sinks come in? We have shared the different sizes of utility sinks that you can choose from.
Ease of Switching
Make sure to choose a laundry/utility sink pump that can easily be turned on and off. The one with easy switching is your best option if convenience is what you prefer. The ideal sink pump should have simple controls and is user-friendly.
Debris Filtration
You also need to consider the debris filtration of the laundry/utility sink pump. It should be able to get rid of all the chunks of debris that get carried in the water. Take note that cheaper utility pumps do not usually have debris filtration. This can lead to clogs which cause the water to transfer to stop and other damages as well. See to it that you choose a sink pump with a proper debris filter to make sure that water flows smoothly and without interruption.
Does a Laundry Sink Need a Trap?
A laundry sink should have a trap. Without the right trap, the area to the sewer fumes is exposed. Moreover, lack of proper venting causes the drain to become sluggish and will overflow. All fixtures in your home should have a trap.
How do You Plumb a Laundry Sink?
You need to make sure that you have the right plumbing for your laundry sink to avoid any water issues. Below are the steps that you can follow on how to plumb the laundry or utility sink.
Rough Plumbing
Hire a plumber to do the rough installation of the hot and cold water supply and the drain pipes as well. The plumber will run the water supply lines through a wall at a specific location. Shut-off valves on the pipes and rough drain pipes that extend from the wall are properly planned and installed.
Fit and Level
Set the sink in place and see to it that it properly fits. It should also be stable and have proper access to rough plumbing. Most laundry or utility sinks sit on four legs and should be level. Some sinks are designed with adjustable pads on the bottom of the legs that can be raised or lowered to easily level the sink. We have also written this article that discusses is a washing machine can drain into a sump pump. You can check out the article for more information about the topic.
P-Trap
The drain requires a P-trap. P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that connects the bottom of the sink drain to the rough drain openings. It is secured to the sink drain with the use of a compression connector that fits over the drain pipe and is fastened using a screw-on collar. In some instances, the rough drain pipe from the wall should be cut to fit the end of the P-trap which ties to it.
Water and Faucet Connections
To install the faucet, set the water pipes to the pre-drilled holes in the sink and fasten them with nuts under the sink. With flexible and screw-on compression connectors on each end, the faucet is connected to the cold and hot water supply.
✅ Video –How to Plumb a Drain
Phil Crockett shared the video below that demonstrates how to plumb a drain. The video shows how to assemble drain pipes under the sink. If you are looking for easy step-by-step instructions on how to plumb a drain, you can watch the video below.
Why do I Need a Utility Sink?
A utility sink can be useful in many things aside from soaking and doing the laundry. You can use it to fill mop buckets, soak large pots and pans, wash bed sheets and comforters, and even bathe your pets. It is used for doing work that cannot be handled by your kitchen or bathroom sink. If your utility sink is located upstairs, you can use a stainless steel sink rather than a plastic laundry tub. Stainless steel can be easily cleaned and sanitized. For more information, you can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the purpose of a laundry sink?
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this article that discusses what a laundry or utility sink pump is. We hope that the information that we have shared has helped you learn more about the importance of having a sink pump for your laundry area. You can check out your local home depot or online stores for the best products that you can purchase.