How to Plumb a Laundry Room
The laundry room is a common place where a plumbing issue can occur, so it’s important to take preventive measures. That’s why it’s important to successfully plumb a laundry room. A few quick inspections and a few creative tips will help you avoid costly repairs in the future and the need for an expensive plumber.
Determine the Location
Laundry rooms are a great place to make storage space for all your cleaning supplies and other laundry items. But these rooms also need to be plumbed properly in order to function.
Often, homeowners will use the basement to create a laundry room as it is a good way to separate the laundry from other areas of the home in case of any flooding. Using the basement can be especially helpful if you live in an older home where it may not be possible to add plumbing to the main floor.
The key to ensuring the laundry room is installed properly is to take a close look at the existing plumbing in your home. Ensure that the new sink, dryer, and washing machine have plumbing hookups that are compatible with your water supply and drainage systems.
Depending on the building codes in your area, you may need to install a drain line that whisks waste water away from the washer and an air vent that lets air escape from the laundry room. Adding these to your laundry room will help ensure that it is up to code and that your family’s safety is protected.
Draw a Floor Plan of the Sink, Washing Machine, and Dryer
The laundry room should be designed to support all the steps involved in the washing and folding of clothing. This means that space for the washer and dryer, a countertop, a sink, baskets, bins, an ironing board and other cleaning equipment needs to be considered.
In addition, consider the storage needs of a variety of different household members. A basket for each member of the family will help with sorting and storing dirty clothes, and a shelf or cabinet for detergents and other supplies will keep them handy.
A simple change, like installing a laundry sink side by side with the washing machine, can save time and hassle. A clothes rod beside the dryer provides space for hanging items to air-dry, while shelves above the washer and dryer provide storage for laundry products.
Laundry rooms can also function as mudrooms, home offices, craft rooms and even pet wash stations. Designing for these uses and other activities will make it easier to fit the laundry room into your home’s layout.
Install the Sink
You can make the most out of your laundry room by adding a sink. It’s a great way to presoak items before washing them and is also helpful for rinsing children’s clothes, pets’ toys, gardening equipment, and paint brushes.
Putting a sink in your laundry room can be a quick, simple, and inexpensive DIY project that can add a lot to the utility of the space. However, you should make sure that your plumbing is prepared to accommodate the new sink before you begin.
First, shut off your home’s water supply and drain the pipes. Next, you need to cut away any sections of old plumbing that are between where you want to put your new sink and the current drain lines in the wall or floor.
You can then connect your sink to the existing washer drain line with a PVC Y-fitting. This fitting features up to 3 arms that can be connected together and glued or sleeved using plumber’s putty.
Install the Washing Machine
Whether you’re installing a new washing machine in your laundry room or replacing an old one, it’s important to plumb the space before putting the appliance in place. This will ensure that your new washer will work properly, and will help prevent leaks from damaging the floors and walls in your home.
Installing a washing machine requires plumbing hookups for hot and cold water supply, as well as a drain location. This can be a complex project, so it’s best to consult with local contractors or plumbers to make sure that all the necessary connections are made correctly.
Most front-loading and top-loading washers have two inlet hoses, a drain hose, and an exhaust hose that protrudes from the back of the machine. These hoses must be installed at the right depth and height to prevent the hoses from crimping.
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