7 BEST Tips TO Vent Your Washing Machine Drain

Photo of author

By Jacob G. Turner

If your washing machine drains, not draining there’s a good chance that the drain is clogged. Fortunately, this is a problem that you can fix yourself without having to call a plumber. The first thing you need to do is locate the drain.

On most washing machines, the drain is located on the back of the machine. Once you’ve found the drain, you need to clear any debris that may be blocking it. The easiest way to do this is to use a plunger.

Just put the plunger over the Washing Machine drain and push and pull until the clog is gone. If the plunger doesn’t work, you can try using a wire hanger. Just straighten out the hanger and insert it into the drain.

Push and pull the hanger until you’ve dislodged the clog.

Washing Machine Outlet Box Plumbing Instructional Video

Does a washing machine drain need a vent?

If you have a washing machine in your home, you may be wondering if you need a vent for the drain. The answer is yes, you should have a vent for the washing machine drain. The vent helps to prevent clogs in the drain and also helps to keep the drain flowing freely.

If you do not have a vent for the drain, you may find that your washing machine does not work as well as it should.

How do you vent a washer drain line?

If your washer is draining slowly or not draining at all, the first thing you should check is the vent on the drain line. The vent allows air to enter the drain line as the water is draining, and if it is blocked, the water will not be able to drain properly. There are a few ways to clear a blocked vent.

If you can see the vent, you can try to clear it with a small brush or a pipe cleaner. If the vent is located behind the washer, you may need to move the washer out to access it. Once you have cleared the vent, run some water through the drain line to make sure it is clear.

If the vent is still blocked, you may need to snake the drain line. This will require removing the drain hose from the washer. Feed the snake into the drain line until you feel resistance.

This will usually clear the blockage. Once the vent is clear, you should be able to run water through the drain line without any problems. If you are still having issues, you may need to call a plumber to clear the line.

How close does a vent need to be to a washer drain?

Assuming you are referring to a clothes washer: The short answer is that the vent needs to be within 6 feet of the Washing Machine drain, and 3 inches above it. The purpose of the vent is to allow air to enter the drain pipe and break up any water that might be trying to form a siphon.

A siphon can happen when there is a break in the pipe or a clog downstream of the vent. If water is siphoned out of the trap, it can allow sewer gas to enter the home. The minimum distance the vent needs to be from the drain is 2 times the pipe diameter plus 1/2 inch.

For example, if you have a 2-inch pipe, the vent needs to be at least 4-1/2 inches away from the drain. The maximum distance the vent can be from the drain is 6 feet. The height of the vent above the drain should be at least 3 inches.

This is so the air can enter the pipe easily and also so that any water that does siphon out of the trap will not be able to reach the vent. If you have any questions about venting your clothes washer, you should consult a plumber or other qualified professional.

Can you use an air admittance valve for a washing machine?

Yes, you can use an air admittance valve for a washing machine. The air admittance valve is a device that is installed in the drainage system of a home that allows air to enter the system and equalize the pressure. This valve is often used instead of a vent stack in situations where it is not possible or practical to install a vent stack.

how to vent washing machine drain

Credit: www.reddit.com

Install air admittance valve washing machine drain

If your washing machine is draining into a sink, you may need to install an air admittance valve (AAV). An AAV is a one-way valve that allows air to enter the drain pipe when the sink is draining, but prevents sewer gases from coming back up into the house. Installing an AAV is a relatively easy do-it-yourself project.

Tools and Materials Needed:

-Pipe wrench

-Teflon tape

-PVC primer and cement -AAV -PVC pipe (if needed)

Instructions:

1. Turn off the water to the sink.

2. Use a pipe wrench to loosen the nut that holds the sink drain pipe to the P-trap.

3. Remove the sink Washing Machine drain pipe from the P-trap.

4. Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the AAV.

5. Screw the AAV into the drain pipe.

6. If needed, cut a piece of PVC pipe to fit between the AAV and the P-trap.

7. Apply PVC primer and cement to the ends of the PVC pipe.

8. Attach the PVC pipe to the AAV and the P-trap.

9. Turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Washing machine drain vent diagram

If you have a washer at home, then you know that there is a lot of water that goes through it during each cycle. Most of this water is drained out through a hose, but some of it is also vented out through a small hole in the back of the machine. This hole is called the drain vent.

The drain vent is an important part of the washer because it allows air to enter the machine as the water is draining out. This prevents the washer from becoming a vacuum and sucking the water back into the machine. The drain vent is usually located near the bottom of the washer.

It is a small hole that is covered by a small flap. The flap is usually made of rubber or plastic and is attached to the washer with a screw. If you are having problems with your washer, one of the first things that you should check is the drain vent.

Make sure that the flap is not damaged and that the hole is not blocked. If the vent is blocked, the washer will not be able to drain properly and will eventually overflow. If you need to replace the Washing Machine drain vent, it is a relatively easy repair.

You can purchase a new vent at most hardware stores. Be sure to get one that is the same size and style as the old one. Once you have the new vent, simply remove the old one and screw the new one in its place.

Washing machine drain vent distance

If you have a washing machine in your home, you may be wondering how far away the Washing Machine drain vent should be. The answer may surprise you – there is no definitive answer. While some experts say that the vent should be no more than 3 feet away from the washing machine, others say that it can be up to 6 feet away.

So what’s the right answer? The truth is, it depends on your specific situation. If you have a long drain line, you may need to have the vent further away from the washing machine to ensure that the water drains properly.

On the other hand, if you have a short drain line, you may be able to get away with having the vent closer to the machine. At the end of the day, it’s important to make sure that your washing machine drains properly. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can always consult a plumber or an expert at your local home improvement store.

They’ll be able to help you figure out the ideal distance for your drain vent.

Conclusion

If your washing machine drain is backing up, it’s probably because the vent is blocked. The vent allows air to enter the drain, which prevents the water from being able to flow freely. To unblock the vent, you’ll need to remove the drain cover and use a plunger to clear the blockage.

Effortless Laundry Days: Your Guide to Choosing a Washing Machine. Learn how to pick the right washing machine for your needs and simplify your laundry routine with our simple tips.

We hope you found this post interesting. If you want to see more of our content, you can visit our website Wehomedeco.com for more articles, tips, and resources. You can also follow us on social media to stay updated with our latest posts . We would love to connect with you and hear your feedback. Here are our social media links:

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

3 thoughts on “7 BEST Tips TO Vent Your Washing Machine Drain”

Leave a Comment