Survival Podcast intern Josiah Wallingford has started up a blog, Brink of Freedom, that I’m going to contribute to periodically. In my first post, Laundry to Landscape: How to Reuse Laundry Greywater, I discuss my own greywater system as well as the setup I installed at neighbor Lora’s house. Greywater has been one of the simplest and most rewarding projects at our homestead. And I’m looking forward to continuing the conversation over at the Brink of Freedom.
Nice. Sadly we rent. My heart breaks a little because the drain trap on our shower is exposed through the garage ceiling. I could unscrew the clean-out plug and screw on a hose in just a few minutes–so easy.
Do it! Your landlord would never know if you changed it back before you vacate the premises!
Crazily, an hour ago we got an eviction notice. The landlord wants to move into this house. So, off we go–maybe the next place will have more greywater potential.
It is a little hard to find big sunny yards to garden and keep rabbits and bees as a renter. Sigh.
I’m so sorry to hear that. It’s so much trouble to search for a place and move, but I’ll join you in hoping that your next place is even better, and you’ll be able to do more of what you want to do there. We’ll be thinking about you!
Thank you. I hate moving at the best of times, and it is even worse as an urban homesteader. All the shelving, all the jars, all the canning pots and freezers. Oh my word.
Awesome! We do laundry greywater and it rocks. I see you use the Oasis detergent, too. Our greywater stream is currently watering a fig tree, which produced actual figs for the first time this year. (Due to the greywater- yay!)
So, the diverter can be turned on and off! I thought it was an all or nothing type thing. I don’t have the skill, strength or tools. However, my washing machine drain is against two outdoor walls, in a corner. The distance would not be far. Plus, the drain is in the basement, readily available right in front of the basement door. Then, a pipe could be put right through the wall, about three feet over. I don’t have the skills, tools, or strength to do this. Oh, and there is a 55 gallon drum sitting right where the pipe would exit the basement.
I go outside to get to the basement, so that’s why the drain can be near the door and two outside walls. I DO NOT want a basement that has stairs into the house part.
Hey PP, It’s actually pretty easy to rig up the 3 way valve. Too bad you’re on the other side of the continent–I’d be happy to come over and lend a hand.
how would you set this up if your washer is in the basement? i assumed that i would have to have the water from the washer empty into a 55 gallon tank in the basement, and then pump it outside.
Patrick, Ludwig says that he would not go above 6 feet above the top of the washer. And that might put the pump at risk. And pumping greywater is difficult without an expensive sewage pump. So, it may or may not work in your case.
i’ll just focus on bathtub and sink grey water for now, and if i do a kitchen remodel try and move the laundry upstairs.
Sounds like a good plan.
Great article! For more information on Grey Water diversion systems, visit http://www.greyflow.net.au