I am trying to renovate an older home. The washing machine was installed in the master bedroom closet. The drain runs down inside the wall. I would like to move the machine to the lower level. My question is how far from the drain is the trap located. I can't find a trap in the present set up.
Plumbing – Where should I expect to find the trap for the in-wall washing machine drain
plumbing
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To do this right, you'll likely have to install a whole drain system for the washer. You'll install a new vent (according to local codes), and a new drain line that attaches to the existing drainage system (in a code compliant way). Then you'll install a standpipe with a trap, that the washer can discharge to.
Firstly, disclaimers: I have no idea what rules might apply in the US, and I have also never heard of a "high efficiency" washing machine. I shall therefore answer from the point of view of practicality, and the assumption that "high efficiency" doesn't affect the water coming out of the washing machine's drain hose.
Size of particles: waste water from your washing machine presumably goes through a relatively small diameter hose. It therefore isn't going to have any problem going through your kitchen drainage stack (which should handle small pieces of food waste).
Type of water: waste water from your washing machine is going to have detergent in it. Just like water from your kitchen sink. I can't see any reason why the stacks would connect to different sewers, and therefore I can't see any reason why a national (US) or local (Boston) code would prohibit washing machine waste water from entering the same stack as kitchen waste water.
My experience: in the UK it is normal for a house to only have one drainage stack, which the bath water, toilet flush, kitchen sink and washing machine all discharge into.
In summary: I would find it very unlikely that you wouldn't be able/allowed to drain your washing machine into the kitchen stack.
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Best Answer
It's going to be below the opening in the wall - most commonly, directly below, which means that if you pull out the washer drain hose and insert a long, slightly flexible rod, you should feel it hit bottom in the trap, and can make a mark to measure where the trap is with respect to the opening in the wall.
If you are concerned that it might be an elbow rather than a trap, be sure the rod is dry and wash has not recently been done so you can see (or not see) the waterline of the trap on the end of the rod.
And, ultimately, you can always rip open drywall and repair it (an unfortunately common method the way services are installed in houses.)
Personally, I'd suggest giving a try to leaving it where it is, if you have not - there's some sort of cultural tendency to put laundry in the basement, as far from where it's generated and stored as possible. It's worth questioning, and saves a lot of hauling if it's near where most of the sheets, towels, and clothes are used and stored. If moving the machine, I'd suggest leaving all the plumbing in place and putting a test plug in the drain opening, rather than removing the plumbing - a future owner of the house might appreciate it, and it's less work.