How far should the outlet of a laundry tray be from the standpipe trap?

The correct distance for the outlet of a laundry tray from the standpipe trap is typically 30 inches. This standard helps to ensure proper drainage and prevent potential backflow issues.

When positioning plumbing in a laundry area, maintaining the correct distance allows for effective drainage and minimizes the risk of siphoning, where water could be pulled back from the standpipe into the laundry tray. The 30-inch distance is a suitable compromise between too short, which could increase the risk of clogs and drainage issues, and too long, where the potential for insufficient drainage and backflow becomes more pronounced.

Understanding these plumbing standards is essential for home inspectors, as it affects not only the functionality of the laundry area but also the overall health and safety of the home's plumbing system. Learning this regulation helps ensure that home inspections and subsequent recommendations align with best practices in plumbing.