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I think this is probably a common problem, but I'm not sure it has a simple solution so I'd welcome any advice...
We've just moved into a new (to us) house. It was built in the 1930s and has had various modifications over the years. I'd like to plumb in a dishwasher as well as the washing machine, but there's only one cold water outlet and one waste outlet, quite high up just under the counter.
Pics should be below.
(One's the hot water, which I'm not planning to use) I think I'm fine with adding a Y-shape splitter to this to fit both inlet pipes. This is the simple bit.
This is the awkward bit. What's the best way to get both appliances draining reliably, without the risk of one's waste water (and food, or fluff) going back up into the other machine? The outlet pipe in the wall is quite high up, so I'm concerned that there'll be an appliance's height of waste water backed up in each pipe. Or, if I fit a Y-splitter in the outlet hoses and it's lower than the pipe in the wall, the waste water from one machine will just flow into the other machine. And I'm not sure about fitting valves in the pipe because I think they'll probably end up clogged with food or fluff.
I'm wondering if I'd be better off getting the old hole lower down the wall opened up again and finding a gravity-assisted way to make sure the waste water leaves and can't back up - I suspect this goes beyond my amateur plumbing ability, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'd like to hear them!
Twin appliance trap solve the problem of waste
Twin appliance 15mm compression to 2 x 3/4bsp solves the supply
That plumbing though, my god.
Reinstate the low level outflow, then have a stand-pipe up from that to just below where the current outflow is.
On the top of this stand-pipe put one of these…
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-twin-hose-connector-40mm/206hr
They have baffles inside them to stop waste from one going into the other. I have this setup for the waste from my washing machine and heat pump drier.
Alternatively, bring the wastes from both the washing machine and dishwasher into the waste from the sink using one of these…
https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-dual-sink-wash-trap-white-40mm/33137
…and have all the waste exit in one pipe.
I'd go for the 2nd of Bensales solutions.
What Bensales said, I have exactly the same setup as him.
bensales second link for the waste - I fitted this a few months back for a washing machine and tumble drier. Works fine with using them at the same time.
and looks like you have, or had a leak around that sink waste. It looks like the laminate is failing. All those old style compression joints would have me having sleepless nights too!
edit - well I'm assuming its a sink waste cant really tell. Do you have a counter top sink above?
Excellent, thank you @bensales - I think the first option probably makes sense. It's probably what was there before, I'm not sure why it was removed.
As @singletrackmind has spotted, there's been a lot of butchery and modifications done on this place. It was built in the 1930s, owned by the previous inhabitant since the 1960s and it needs a _lot_ of work, which is how we were able to afford it. Basic things like insulating the loft I can do myself, but the first job is to get an electrician in. My son went to turn a light switch on and said "daddy, this feels buzzy like your old MacBook!"...!
@DT78 it's a stainless steel sink, set into the counter. I don't actually know what purpose the oddly sagging wooden sheet is serving.
In the longer term, we're going to get the whole kitchen replaced. And I think it would probably be a good idea to take all the plumbing out and start again while we're at it!
And I think it would probably be a good idea to take all the plumbing out and start again while we’re at it!
You might want to think about making changes now as part of his job that will make your life easier when it comes to that one! Simplifying and putting modern isolating valves etc on that rats nest under the sink will help.
If that 90 degree on the second picture is on your cold feed, I'd be tempted to swap that for a T and then branch off your supplies from there so you don't have to take them from the cupboard under the sink and add to the rats nest.
Jumble under the sink can then be cleared for flexi to the taps.
Reinstate the old waste as suggested.
You've not mentioned where the electric is, but I'm going to guess it's screwed to some soggy chipboard below the shelf under the sink 😄 (had a place like that).
I think one of these should let you use both machines off one pipe. Should be easy to do as well as cheap.
https://www.toolstation.com/washing-machine-y-piece/p81426
Is that sink trap up there copper and lead? If so it'll probably pay for your new plastic trap and fittings when you weigh it in!
If you go with the trap with appliance outlets, I recommend this one. Our old trap was right in the middle of the cupboard so the shelf was only 6 inches deep. Changed it to this space saving type and it lets you shove the u bend and waste plumbing to the back of the cupboard. Can't remember if it came with a blank for single sink units but if not you can get a generic blanking cap for pennies.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-space-saving-sink-appliance-p-trap-white-40mm/66149