Is it possible to place a sink above a washing machine?

Saving space in small apartments or houses is a pressing issue for many people. When there's not enough room for essentials like a washing machine, you start coming up with various tricks to make the most of the available square footage. Placing the washing machine in the sink is a good solution that will save space and conveniently place your "home helper" where it won't get in the way.

Is it possible to place the machine in the sink?

Many people doubt the technical feasibility of installing a washing machine under a sink. While it's true that squeezing a washing machine under a sink is a piece of cake, what about the plumbing? Where do you put the trap? Normally, the trap is positioned vertically and runs down the drain pipe right in the center of the sink. But since we've installed the machine there, how will the wastewater drain into the sewer?

In fact, this is not the only question that may arise for a beginner who is faced with the problem of installing a washing machine in a sink for the first time. What will happen to the machine if water gets on it, because the sink cannot be called a dry place. Just a few milliliters of water spilled on the control unit could easily end up in the trash, not to mention the risk of electric shock to the owners.

Important! The control unit, like any electronic component, is very sensitive to excess moisture, and considering its cost can reach $100–$120, it's unlikely you'll want to risk such an expensive part for the sake of convenient machine placement.

In fact, with the right components and proper installation, the machine can be safely placed under the sink. The main thing is to follow all installation instructions and professional advice. What do we need?

• A matching lily pad sink with a drain that is offset from the center back to the edge of the sink.
• Special siphon.
• Special fasteners for the sink.
• A washing machine whose dimensions will be smaller than the dimensions of the sink.
• A cabinet made of moisture-resistant materials with doors.

Keep in mind that the sink should be at least 3 cm wider and deeper than the machine body on all sides, a little more is better. Firstly, this reduces the chance of water getting on the machine, and secondly, it's easier to install the cabinet. In general, experts don't recommend placing a washing machine under a sink without a cabinet, as the cabinet's walls and doors provide additional protection for the "home helper" from splashes.

For the same reason, deep sinks should be preferred over shallow, flat ones. A shallow sink will splash water around quite a bit. You might not notice it, but your washing machine will. You'll notice it too, later, when you get an electric shock when you touch the control panel at the most unexpected moment. The drain trap also needs to be special.

1. It should be compact and fit easily under the sink along with the machine, while there should be a gap between it and the machine body.
2. The parts of the siphon should be curved so that it can be more conveniently placed in the sink between the wall and the washing machine.
3. The siphon should be vertical, since horizontal siphons get clogged more often, and it will be inconvenient to frequently clean the siphon with the machine under the sink.

Also You need special fasteners for the sink, with which you can securely attach it to the wallIn this case, a secure installation of the sink is absolutely essential. The cabinet under the sink must be made of moisture-resistant materials; it will hide the washing machine from view and also act as an additional barrier against splashes.

Please note: When choosing a washing machine, consider its dimensions and the size of the sink it will be hidden under. You can always order a cabinet later.

Pros and cons of this type of washing machine placement

We've established that installing a washing machine under a sink is technically feasible. You just need the right materials, proper calculations, and professional installation. But is it worth it? Let's look at the pros and cons of installing a washing machine under a sink. Perhaps this will help answer this important question, starting with the pros.

• The washing machine won't take up much space if you hide it under the sink, and the freed up space can be used to store other necessary items.
• Placing the machine in the sink will make the bathroom look much more aesthetically pleasing, especially if the machine itself doesn't match the room in color or design.
• If the machine is properly closed in a cabinet under the sink, it will be less noisy while it is running, which is very important for some people.

Having discussed the advantages, it is necessary to also note the disadvantages of this type of washing machine placement, especially since there are quite a few of these disadvantages.

1. Installing a washing machine under the sink requires redoing almost all the plumbing in the bathroom. This requires providing a power outlet, partially recessing the pipes into the wall, and providing outlets for the machine. Raising the faucet higher, as it's usually positioned too low.
2. A regular siphon won't do; you'll need a special one. Furthermore, if you need to clean such a siphon, it will be difficult to do since it will be covered by the washing machine.
3. A regular washing machine most likely won't work, and you'll have to buy a special narrow front-loading one, since a top-loading machine won't fit under the sink.
4. There is a chance that something bad will happen and water from the sink will get onto the electrical and electronic parts of the washing machine, which will cause a short circuit and breakdown.

Please note! To ensure the machine fits under the sink, it must be hung at a sufficient height. Some people don't like the sink being too high, but there's not much that can be done about it.

Features of production work

There aren't many options for installing a washing machine in a sink, but we'll give you the most common one used by professionals across Russia. What should you do?

• We're preparing the plumbing for the washing machine. The challenge is to position the pipes and outlets so that the inlet and drain hoses can be connected without interfering with the machine's placement under the sink. We're also preparing safe electrical connections to ensure safe operation. connect the washing machine to the electricity.
• Securely screw the sink brackets to the wall. Here, you should calculate the height at which the sink will be positioned so that the washing machine fits underneath it, leaving a gap between the bottom of the bowl and the top of the washing machine.

Important! Install the fasteners, maintaining the width between the fasteners and using a level to ensure the sink sits perfectly flat on them.

• If you plan to use one faucet for both the bathtub and the sink, you need to ensure that it is located at a sufficient height.
• We install the sink with the mixer and connect it.
• Next, we connect all the hoses and pipes necessary for the operation of the washing machine.
• We connect the siphon and make sure that it does not interfere with the installation of the washing machine.
  
• We install a cabinet under the sink and move the machine towards it.
• We connect the inlet hose to the machine, and screw the drain hose coming from the machine to the siphon (or sewer pipe).
• We move the washing machine under the sink, connect it to the power supply and perform a test run.

Remember! The gap between the washing machine body and the sink, as well as between the side walls of the cabinet, should be at least 3 cm, so that during maximum machine operation, the body does not swing and hit the sink.

In conclusion, it's worth noting that installing a washing machine in a sink certainly has many nuances that you'll encounter during the process. However, you can do it all yourself, from start to finish. If you get stuck at any stage, you can always seek professional advice.

   

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