Yet another washer stand-pipe question for Chicago

**arbalest** · 02-20-2012, 02:45 PM

The question posted yesterday is so close to what I want to do I hate to ask this -- but I need help with the mechanics of pulling this off.

In the first photo you can see the current configuration in 105 year old cast iron. There is a weird wye and the laundry basin seems to join the vent side at about 10" above the floor (barely visible but it comes through the hole in the wall). The off-setting curve in the vent has a 2.5" outside diameter at the top and a 2" outside diameter on the bottom. The offset is 4".

I would like to install a washer standpipe on the other side of the wall next to the sink. From yesterday's (and several other) post I gather that:

a) I can replace the offsetting piece with some PVC that includes a sani-tee and add the standpipe there as long as I also
b) add a wye/combo in the horizontal part (after the stand-pipe trap) and connect that to the vent above the stand-pipe with another sani-tee.

If I am correct so far, can anyone give me tips on how to:

c) cobble together my connection with that "reducing offset"? Also,
d) what is the best way to connect PVC to the existing cast iron?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

The 2nd photo is just my unworkable attempt at figuring out the offset.

**cacher_chick** · 02-20-2012, 05:34 PM

You might or might not know that Chicago does not allow the use of PVC in any space below ground level.

I might be mistaken, but it looks to me that those 2 stacks are both drains. If so, you cannot connect to either of them for the purpose of a vent, unless you do so above the flood rim of the highest fixture connected to the stack.

There is nowhere there for you to make a proper drain connection for a washer standpipe. You would need to break the floor and make the connection to the horizontal drain. Again, in Chicago, this would all need to be done in cast iron.

**Gary Swart** · 02-20-2012, 10:44 PM

Since PVC is not permitted in Chicago, and there seems to be a fair amount of rather complex work to be done, it might be in your best interest to bite the bullet and hire a plumber.

**arbalest** · 02-21-2012, 03:28 PM

Thanks for your input. I had a plumber put in a stand-pipe at another place and he used PVC - so I thought it was legal above the basement floor. Apparently not.

For what it's worth (for others that might find this thread), below the basement floor, drain tile can be vitreous-clay/terra-cotta. I had a section replaced and it was all okay-ed by a city inspector before the contractor back-filled the area.

edit: My last comment was in regard to the hook-up of the stand-pipe needing to be in cast iron. That still may need to be the case but I thought cacher_chick was saying the drain tile had to be iron as well.

**arbalest** · 02-23-2012, 11:28 AM

Can anyone tell me if there is a problem with this idea for an alternate way to implement my stand-pipe?

The laundry room has a floor drain near the washer - about 4" diameter. I if use 2" PVC to route the washer exhaust to the floor drain with an elbow that directs the water downward but is just over the mouth of the drain (with cover removed) will this have problems with legality or functionality?

This is essentially using PVC as a hose -- with no direct connection to the existing drain system.

**cacher_chick** · 02-23-2012, 04:42 PM

There is nothing to say that you cannot do that.

hj · 02-24-2012, 06:48 AM

That "weird Y" is a "Stringer drain fitting" and it would normally have had a sink connection into it from the "back side that we cannot see. The 2" pipe coming down would be the drains from the upper sinks and the 1 1/2" would be the sink's vent. With that configuration, the sink connection to the 2" pipe would have been wither improper or illegal. The offset pipe would be too small for a washer drain, assuming you knew how to remove lead/oakum connections are reattach to them.

**arbalest** · 02-24-2012, 12:19 PM

Thanks, cacher_chick. I'll probably just do that.

Yep, hj, the current laundry basin enters the back of the "Stringer drain fitting" just as you say. And, there are two kitchen sinks above it all.

I think you are saying the current configuration is improper in itself. But if the right-most pipe were larger I could run the stand-pipe there and vent it to the other (and it would need to be all in cast iron).

hj · 02-24-2012, 05:16 PM

The rightmost pipe is probably large enough, but we cannot tell without knowing what else is already draining into that pipe. The rest of your statement is correct. Cast iron or galvanized steel.