Ice Maker Drain

[bmillice]

Hello all, we are remodeling our home and intending to put a 15" undercabinet ice maker in the area indicated here:

The icemaker is a Kitchenaid with a built-in pump and hose, and the instructions say to run the hose into an open drain. The plumber said there was a problem with this plan, but can I not just run the hose through the wall and up into the washing machine pipe behind it or is there a rule about the washing machine drain sharing with something else (the icemaker drain)?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Reach4]

The icemaker is a Kitchenaid with a built-in pump and hose, and the instructions say to run the hose into an open drain. The plumber said there was a problem with this plan, but can I not just run the hose through the wall and up into the washing machine pipe behind it or is there a rule about the washing machine drain sharing with something else (the icemaker drain)?

You can use an air gap intended to share a standpipe with a washing machine and something else.

Is this drain like a drain for people to dump stuff? Maybe it doesn't need an air gap, but the mechanics might be easier if you use an air gap.

Can you run the drain to join a kitchen sink drain like you would a dishwasher?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[James Henry]

By any plumbing code you need an air gap, because germs can't jump. You can will need a receptor and a p-trap to hang the drain over.

 

[James Henry]

 

[bmillice]

Thank you James, I did watch that video, but it never shows what the drain goes into. However, this video does, around the 1:44 mark, and it is just an open standpipe.

So, since the washing machine standpipe has a p-trap and an open drain, can I just share that one with the washing machine?

 

[bmillice]

You can use an air gap intended to share a standpipe with a washing machine and something else.

Is this drain like a drain for people to dump stuff? Maybe it doesn't need an air gap, but the mechanics might be easier if you use an air gap.

Can you run the drain to join a kitchen sink drain like you would a dishwasher?

No, the kitchen sink is on an island. The drain is for the icemaker.

So I can use the standpipe? Is that what you are saying?

 

[James Henry]

I watched the video a couple times and I don't know what is at the bottom of the pipe that he stuck the hose in. I have worked on many ice makers and I know for a fact that all ice maker drains and all plumbing codes require an "air gap" not an "air break" for health risk reasons.
I have installed above floor drains for ice makers by installing a p-trap and putting a 4" x 2" reducer on that for a receptor.
If you don't want contaminated ice then install an air gap.

 

[James Henry]

He says, " the drain hose must terminate at an open site drain". 1:50.

 

[bmillice]

OK, I am not sure what an open site drain is - I thought a standpipe was an open drain.

So would this air gap work if I were to use that standpipe? Put this in the top of the pipe? So that if the pipe backs up it won't reach the icemaker drain line?

https://www.amazon.com/Plumb-Pak-PP855-69-Standpipes-Grey/dp/B00FKJNVAC

 

[Reach4]

https://airgap.com/plumbing-air-gaps/

See AG140-001 or AG140-001 user guide.

 

[James Henry]

OK, I am not sure what an open site drain is - I thought a standpipe was an open drain.

So would this air gap work if I were to use that standpipe? Put this in the top of the pipe? So that if the pipe backs up it won't reach the icemaker drain line?

I like that idea and it fulfills the air gap requirement, I'm just not sure if your code will allow you to attach to a laundry stand pipe, or if you have to have a dedicated drain, you'll have to check with your local people. You might want to watch when you do laundry to see if any excess soap bubble are making there way out of the stand pipe.

 

[bmillice]

OK, thank you Reach and James for your inputs, I appreciate it!

 

[bmillice]

https://airgap.com/plumbing-air-gaps/

See AG140-001 or AG140-001 user guide.

Reach, I see the AG140-001, but what was the other one you wanted me to look at?

 

[Maymay6]

Hello all, we are remodeling our home and intending to put a 15" undercabinet ice maker in the area indicated here:

The icemaker is a Kitchenaid with a built-in pump and hose, and the instructions say to run the hose into an open drain. The plumber said there was a problem with this plan, but can I not just run the hose through the wall and up into the washing machine pipe behind it or is there a rule about the washing machine drain sharing with something else (the icemaker drain)?

Thanks in advance!

I've seen the film a few times, but I have no idea what is in the pipe at the bottom where he inserted the hose.
Since I've worked on so many ice makers, I can say with absolute certainty that all ice machine drains and plumbing rules call for a "air gap" rather than a "air break" due to health risks.

By building a p-trap and adding a 4" x 2" reducer as a receptor, I have created above-floor drains for ice makers.
Install an air gap if you don't want tainted ice.
So, if I were to use that standpipe, would this air gap still function?
Place this in the pipe's top?
So that the icemaker drain line won't be affected if the pipe backs up?
https://www.amazon.com/Plumb-Pak-PP855-69-Standpipes-Grey/dp/B00FKJNVAC