Laundry Sink in the Garage

njnear76 · 01-16-2009, 01:59 PM

Does anyone know of any good online resources for plumbing? I want to put a laundry sink in my garage.

All in all it seems like it should be pretty easy since the garage wall is located against the basement where there is conveniently the main drain and hot and cold water. I should be able to drill through the dry wall.

I really like this idea because of the benefits. I will be able to brew in any temperature and I clean all my brew equipment in the garage.

**david_42** · 01-16-2009, 02:04 PM

There's a lot more involved than you might think. Utility sinks require a vent pipe to the roof, not just a drain line. You'll also have to open the main pipe & put in a Y-connector. If there is a clean-out, you might be allowed to extend that.

njnear76 · 01-16-2009, 02:12 PM

Maybe I should just put in a faucet.

The nice thing about this project is that it could be a good learning project for me. There are quite a few water lines I can tap into. Ideally I want to put in a valve on both sides.

Brewer_Steve · 01-16-2009, 02:16 PM

I just installed a laundry tub in my basement.
It was dead simple because I was also very close to the main drain and had easy access to hot/cold water pipes.

I extended my clean out and put a Y on that which gave me an easy drain without having to actually cut a drain pipe. Extending my cleanout actually raised the drain pipe higher than the drain on my laundry tub, so I had to raise my laundry tub using cinder blocks. It's actually at a better height now, so I don't have to hunch over while scrubbing stuff.

A previous posted stated that you will require a vent pipe to the roof, but that might not be true. I read in a plumbing book and confirmed with a plumber friend that you only need to to vent the drain if you are more than a certain distance from the drain. I think that distance was 8 ft or something like that. Since I was 3 ft away, I didn't use a vent, and my tub drains very quickly.

You might find some helpful advice from Home Depot or a similar store. Good luck.

**Cpt_Kirks** · 01-16-2009, 03:13 PM

I have a stainless steel double sink I snagged when SWMBO got a new one.

When I get the time, I'm mounting it on a 2x4 frame to use as a portable sink. By hooking it to a garden hose, I'll be able to use it in the garage, or in the backyard. Going to add a hose to the drain, it will either lead outside, or into a bucket.

In our old house, the basement led into the garage and contained a mud room. It had one of those big, deep laundry sinks. It was VERY nice for soaking stuff.

drunkatuw · 01-16-2009, 03:34 PM

I'm not sure about NJ, but I wouldn't put a sink in my garage in MN because the water supply lines would freeze and bust. Nov-Mar I have to bring in all liquids from the garage because they'll freeze.

**Mutilated1** · 01-16-2009, 03:38 PM

Be careful brewing in the garage. I know this is not exactly related to your question, but make sure you don't use your propane burner in there without the garage door open or otherwise being very careful about your ventilation.

ajwillys · 01-16-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_42

Utility sinks require a vent pipe to the roof, not just a drain line.

This is not entirely true, my garage sink has a vent pipe inline with the drain just after the trap. It has this little mushroom shaped thing to vent it. It's very similar to this:

http://www.oatey.com/aav_public/resources/photos/6_sink_app.jpg

Also, while we're on the topic. I think I've decided personally that a floor sink is almost more handy in a garage than a regular sink. You know, the thing where restaurants keep their mop buckets. You can use it to clean the dogs, fill large mop buckets, etc.. Just an FYI, alot of brewing equipment barely fits (or not at all) in a regular garage sink. If I ever build a house, there will be a tiled floor sink in the corner.

yellowcolumbia · 01-16-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajwillys

This is not entirely true, my garage sink has a vent pipe inline with the drain just after the trap. It has this little mushroom shaped thing to vent it. It's very similar to this:

http://www.oatey.com/aav_public/resources/photos/6_sink_app.jpg

Air admittance valves do not meet code in many areas. You need to check with your jusidiction to find out. Then again if it doesn't meet code, no one will care until you go to sell the house and the inspector finds it. Then fix it or take the sink out.

MSUConrad · 01-16-2009, 05:54 PM

With the economy being so slow, we have several out of work contractors working at the local HD and Lowes. I found a guy in plumbing that walked me through every single step, laid out the peices and tools, and gave me his cell phone if I needed more help.

It was super easy, and I love having my sink and hot/cold water in the garage.