How to Draw Wash Water Out of the House

Build an irrigation system that starts at least 3 feet away the home and ends in a garden or lawn. A simple irrigation system has 8-inch trenches 18 inches deep. Lay 1-inch PVC pipe with 1/8-inch holes drilled into the bottom and side section of the pipe. Use PVC coupling to bring the pipes together in one drainage line near the washing machine. Don't worry about sealing these lines since distribution of water is the goal.

Connect a water catch drum to the irrigation system. Get a small drum with an incoming graywater intake pipe hose bib and drainpipe or tube at the bottom. Connect the PVC pipe system to the bottom drain connector. Take the PVC lead pipe and attach a coupling joint that fits the PVC pipe on one side and the drain component on the other. Brush cement sealant on the inside of the coupling to prevent leaks and create a tight fit.

Turn off the power and water flow to the washing machine. Remove the drain hose from the drainage pipe. This might not have been secured but instead set deep enough in the vertical pipe to send out water. If it's attached to the drainpipe, loosen it with a wrench and unscrew any clamps holding it in place.

Connect the washing machine drain hose to the water drum through the hose bib, which secures a flexible hose to an inflexible pipe or coupling. Brush cement sealant along the outside of the hose and insert it into the bib. Tighten the bolt to secure the hose.

Turn on the power and water to the washing machine and test the system before covering the ditches. Cover the pipes with gravel so keep holes from clogging and allow proper drainage. Pack the soil over the gravel to flatten the ground.