For owners of small apartments, installing a washing machine can be a real challenge. People try to squeeze the unit into the bathroom, next to the bathtub, in the hallway, or even integrate it into the kitchen cabinetry. And often, none of these options proves successful. If the apartment has a small utility room, installing the washing machine in a closet is acceptable. This unusual solution may prove to be the most optimal.
Difficulties to overcome
So, if the size of the pantry allows you to place a washing machine, you should think about solving some of the problems that will arise when installing the machine.
First and foremost, we're talking about connecting utilities. Often, a storage room doesn't even have an electrical outlet, let alone water and sewer pipes. If the centralized communications are too far from the utility room and connecting them to the storage room is very difficult, this idea will have to be abandoned.
Secondly, the small room lacks ventilation, which is detrimental to the operation of the washing machine. Ventilation can be provided, but additional costs will be incurred.
Thirdly, the flooring of a storage room is often not designed for installing laundry equipment. If the room has a level, concrete floor, you're lucky; if the floorboards are weak or the chipboard is warped, you'll need to consider reinforcing the flooring.
If you're not intimidated by the difficulties described above, you can confidently begin implementing this idea. This way, the washing machine will be "hidden" from prying eyes, without cluttering up your bathroom or kitchen.
Ventilation organization
If utilities are easily connected to the pantry, the room adjoins the bathroom or kitchen area. This layout is most common in apartments. Ventilation can be arranged in two ways:
By installing a transfer grille in the door. Then, a hole is drilled in the wall adjacent to the bathroom or kitchen, which is also covered with a grille. Air entering the pantry will exit through the second hole;
by installing a grille in the door and running the air duct through the wall next to the bathroom or kitchen area.
The first method is quite cost-effective, but if the pantry smells unpleasant, it's best to avoid it. The odor will be released into the kitchen or bathroom, causing discomfort for family members. You can try eliminating the source of the odor and providing simple ventilation. The ducted option is more complex to implement, but much more comfortable. Odors from the pantry will be promptly vented directly into the duct.
Additionally, a fan can be installed into the air duct system, which will enhance air removal.
Strengthening the floor
Washing machines vibrate during operation, and some models can “jump” at high speeds during the spin cycle, exerting enormous pressure on the floor covering.To place a washing machine in a storage room, you need to thoroughly prepare the floor in the room. It must be firm and level. This will ensure the proper functioning of the machine and protect the equipment from premature failure.
The worst situation is if the utility room has a wooden base. It creaks even under the weight of a person, so it's not a good idea to install a washing machine on it. The procedure for creating a concrete platform on the floor is as follows.
First, accurately mark the equipment dimensions on the floor. Add approximately 10 cm around the perimeter of the drawn rectangle to prevent damage to the platform during operation.
Carefully remove the base boards.
Place wooden formwork around the perimeter of the future concrete rectangle.
Lay down a reinforcing mesh for the platform to provide additional strength.
Fill the prepared area with concrete mortar and compact it well.
Place joists along the edges of the base to prevent the boards from hanging in the air.
Now you need to wait for the mortar to fully harden. Then, return the boards to their original position, securely attaching them to the new joists. Your reliable washing machine flooring is now complete; all that's left to do is install the equipment and enjoy its comfortable use.
For owners of small apartments, installing a washing machine can be a real challenge. People try to squeeze the unit into the bathroom, next to the bathtub, in the hallway, or even integrate it into the kitchen cabinetry. And often, none of these options proves successful. If the apartment has a small utility room, installing the washing machine in a closet is acceptable. This unusual solution may prove to be the most optimal.
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