How to Install a Utility Sink Next to Washer (Comprehensive Guide)

Accept it or not, but the look of your garage area or laundry room can be greatly enhanced by using a great quality utility sink. And for that, you must know the process of installing the laundry room utility sink next to your washer.

You can not only save water but also time and energy by using the same water hook-up for both your washer and your sink. Also, confining your plumbing lines to a single area can save you a lot of space, especially if you are dealing in less square footage.

Not only this but having the utility sink next to your washer can save you from several other problems, such as mess caused by the puddling and dripping of water as you shift your wet clothes from the washer to the utility sink.

It can also ease up your prepping efforts before a wash cycle. Luckily, the installation is easy and a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) task. All it needs is patience and the right tool, and you are good to go!

Don’t forget to read our comprehensive guide on installing a utility sink in garage.

7 Easy Steps to Set Up a Utility Sink Near to Washer

Tools Required

1. Plumber’s Tube or Glue	6. Threading tool
2. Measuring Stick	7. PVC handsaw
3. Cold and Hot Flexible Tubing	8. PVC Y-fitting
4. Pliers	9. Small piece of a Sandpaper or De-burrer
5. Wrench	10. Two Brass pipe splitter

Step 1: Measure the Size for Drain

The essential step is to cease the main water supply. The process starts with the drainpipe measurement. This step is for you to know how far the connection of the pipe is from the ground.

Find out your current washer line; keep your focus on the point where the drainpipe goes down into the wall or the floor.

Now, use these measurements that you have just taken and make a mark on the drainpipe of your washer. It is the exact point where you will have to join the Y-fitting. This Y-fitting will help separate the drain of the washer from the utility sink’s drain.

Step 2: Adjust the Size of the Drainpipe

The next step is to adjust the size of the drainpipe. You need to cut the pipe at the exact place you marked to anywhere on the venting pipe that joins above it.

You might also have to cut the T-fitting; the point from where the dirty water from the washer moves down to the exit drainpipe.

It is also necessary to smooth out or de-burr the pipe from the inside using sandpaper or any other tool to ensure even and smooth edges.

Step 3: Join the Y-fitting and attach the Laundry Sink to the Washer Drain

At this point, use plumber glue to attach the PVC Y-fitting to the drainpipe. Join one end of the Y-fitting to the exit of your washer drain.

Now, join the top arm of the fitting to the venting pipe. The third and final arm is supposed to be attached to the drainpipe of the utility sink.

In the end, make sure all the connection is tight, secure, and waterproof.

Step 4: Track down your Water Sources

Since we are done with the pipes now, let us now move towards waterlines. First thing first, find the pipe connection near your washer for both the cold and hot water line.

Now, you might notice that both these connections join at a single point on the pipe. Break this connection for both the cold and hot hookups.

Just in case you are unable to find this fitting, and the pipe is a long continuous one, right away cut the pipe.

Do not forget to keep a bucket with you when you do this to catch the standing water in the lines that will start dropping as soon as you cut the pipe.

Make sure that you cut the pipe at the mid-point between your utility sink and washer. You can also use threading to thread the pipeline if the need emerges.

Step: 5 Attach the Pipe Splitter to the Cold and Hot Water Lines

At this point, screw the pipe splitter onto the main water line for both the cold and hot water lines. It is essential to make sure that the connection is secure.

You can use a wrench to make sure that the attachments you have made are sealed and secured. You now have two different water lines for both the hot and cold pipe; one will go to the sink and the other to your washer.

Also, remember that the splitter is to be joined to both the cold and hot water pipes. Reconnect the washer to the waterline (existing or new) once you have secured the connections accurately. Again, use a wrench or pliers to make sure that the lines are reconnected.

Step 6: Connect the Hoses to the Sink.

Measure the tubing to the point that it can reach the sink. Now, you need to connect the flexible tubing to the cold and hotlines of the sink. Tighten up the connection using a nut or screw.

For better recognition, you can use red tape for hot water and blue tape for cool water. Very cautiously stick these color tapes to the appropriate pipe.

The Last Step

The final step is to connect the cold and hot tubes to the faucet of the utility sink. Check the connections once again to make sure that they are tight and secured.

Turn on the water supply to check any leaks and ensure that the water runs quickly and smoothly. Turning your water supply off is very pivotal if you are looking to make any more changes.

Constructing a Garage Room or Laundry Sink Valve

Essential Tools:

Washers and Nuts.
Knife and Plumber’s Glue.
Rubber Gaskets or Foam.
Flashlight (if needed).

Step 1: Cease the Water Supply

The first and the most important thing to do is cease the main water supply as it can cause flooding.

Step 2: Attach Faucets Using Putty or Gaskets

Most of the time, there is a pre-drilled hole already present in the sink. So, all you must do is slide your faucet into this hole.

Generally, faucets come equipped with nuts and gaskets to make sure that the faucet head stays intact. But you can also use the plumber’s glue to tighten the seal.

Step 3: Fix the Nuts Tightly

Use nuts and screws to make sure that your faucet is well-attached to the sink. Secure the nuts using a wrench from beneath the sink.

As you tighten the faucet, you will see the excessive putty or sealant emerging at the sides. Clean it off using a damp towel or a knife putty.

Step 4: Join the Cold and Hot Water Line

It is time to connect the waterlines to the faucet handles. Attach the cold and hot water lines to the inner side of the faucet handles.

Use your hands, wrench, or a pair of pliers to tighten up the connection. The seal needs to be completed for a proper connection.

The Final Step

In the last, you need to make sure that the connection is tight and there is no leakage. For that, you need to turn the main water line and see if there are any leaks.

Try finding the loose connection, if you see the water dripping. This step is all about checking and making sure that you have done the work well. Ensure that there are no loose areas or gaps.

If you are about to make any more adjustments turn the main water supply off again.

Conclusion

It is an easy and pivotal task to join your utility sink to the same drain and water lines as your washer. It might appear to you as a daunting task, but in reality, all you need to do is put in some effort and be patient.

Using the same water hook-ups will make your garage and laundry room more spacious and efficient. Not only this, but your energy and water bill will reduce significantly.

While working on the plumbing, make sure that the main water supply is turned off, or you could end up in big trouble. Be very cautious about the cold and hot water lines, as mixing them up can create a mess for you and your sink and washer.

Until now, you must have realized that connecting your washer and utility sink to the same drain is not that difficult after all. While it might be a time-consuming task, it can be a successful Do-it-Yourself (DIY) job.

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How to Install a Utility Sink Next to Washer (7 Steps Comprehensive Guide)