How to properly place a washing machine in the toilet
Sometimes buyers have to choose between the functionality and size of a washing machine in order to fit it into a cramped space.
To save space and buy appliances you really like, place them above the toilet. An original way out of the situation. Read more about installing a washing machine in a toilet, the benefits and difficulties in the article.
Modern washing machine: bathroom design combined with household appliances
A typical bathroom in a modern home also serves as a laundry room. So, how do you install your washing machine for comfortable use? Even in the smallest space you can place equipment while decorating the interior. All you need is a good project.
Washing machine in large bathroom
If you have enough space in the back of the room, you can even design a special laundry cabinet to house your washing machine. If the equipment is not in use, it remains invisible behind a closed door.
Washing machine in a small bathroom
If the space is really small, the washing machine can be installed in a corner or built into a prefabricated cabinet made from plasterboard and ceramic tiles for cladding or WPC. Then the device will perfectly match the interior design, harmoniously fitting into the stylistic design of the space.
Installing a washing machine in the toilet: instructions
How to place and install a washing machine in the wall of a Khrushchev building? Before installation, the following nuances are taken into account:
Installation
Choose a location for the washing machine. Measure the back wall of the toilet. The width and height must be at least 66x85 cm. The depth of the niche is selected in accordance with the depth of the washing machine body.
The base is ready. Now you need to install the machine on the shelf.
Attach a wide bar to the base as insurance. If the washing machine begins to move due to vibration, the bar will prevent it from falling.
To hide the car, you can cover the shelf with plasterboard or other material. It is advisable not to completely block access to communications, so it is recommended to install curtains and blinds. If necessary, they can be raised up. This approach will not affect the overall interior design.
All that remains is to lift the car onto the prepared base. It is advisable to do this together. Before placing the SMA, cover the base with a rubber or foam sheet. After which you can start connecting.
Connection
Correct installation is the basis of your safety. Therefore, use only moisture-resistant sockets. how to connect a washing machine to the network .
When connecting the hose to the sewer, keep in mind that it should not fall below 50 cm, otherwise the water will constantly drain. The hose can be connected to a direct outlet in the sewer or to a tee. It is also possible to connect via a siphon.
Important! The connection between the hose and the sewer must be tight. You can use sealing rubber or polyethylene.
To connect the inlet hose, choose an inlet tap with a convenient locking system. Quickly shutting off the water will help protect the room from an emergency.
Bathtub with washing machine: photo of rational arrangement of equipment
A washing machine standing alone in the corner, which does not match the style of the interior, is no longer a problem for you. Choose one of the popular solutions in photo ideas and hide the machine behind the door, under the countertop or in the built-in closet. If you have a lot of space in your home, then be sure to take care of your comfort while performing household chores. After all, in a spacious house or even an apartment, you can create a mini-laundry room that will become the center for caring for your wardrobe.
Bath countertop for washing machine
If you don't want to bump into the washing machine every time you use the bathroom, then place the device under the countertop. If desired, make a sliding door that will hide a household object from view. Instead of a sliding door, you can opt for traditional doors that will match the other cabinets in the room. However, an under-counter washing machine without doors looks very attractive.
Washing machine in the closet
If the bathroom area allows, you can place the washing machine in the closet. The remaining space can be used to insert a dryer or install cleaning products. Furniture used for a washing machine is an interesting option for disguising this device. Everything is closed and completely neutral for the decoration of the room.
Washing machine hidden behind the door
The ideal solution is to separate part of the bathroom for a mini laundry room in which you can store all the accessories. This solution requires a lot of space, but it is quite practical. Particularly interesting can be sliding doors that separate laundry equipment from the rest of the bathroom.
Washing machine above the toilet: advantages and installation features
The issue of saving space in small-sized city apartments is quite acute, especially when it comes to standard buildings of the second half of the last century. Now in new buildings the priority is a combined bathroom, spacious kitchens, and small-sized housing on the real estate market is represented by studio apartments with the possibility of individual planning of living space. But what if you inherited a “Khrushchevka” or a “small family”? How to properly organize your living space without cluttering up already modest square meters with oversized furniture and other household items?
Pros and cons
The idea of installing a washing machine in the toilet is rather a necessary measure. It’s hard to call such an installation a design decision or an interior quirk, but owners of small apartments resort to this option quite often. In addition to the connection features, it is also important to pay great attention to the aesthetic issue - such a combination of household items should not look ridiculous.
When deciding to resort to this method of installing household appliances, read reviews on the Internet, examples of bathroom design, and weigh the pros and cons of such an installation.
There are not many advantages of installing attachments.
Speaking about the disadvantages of installing a washing machine in a toilet, we can highlight the following points.
Calculating the possibility
Such a weighty technique requires a solid foundation. The spin mode is usually accompanied by quite strong vibrations that the base must withstand.
- Installing a washing machine is not an easy task, again due to its weight.
- Particular attention should be paid to connection. Here we are talking not only about hoses, but also about the power cord.
- You should definitely take into account the size of the machine, as well as the volume of the niche.
- Ideally, the unit should be located entirely in the niche. Otherwise, the part that sags will get in the way above the bathroom, and, accordingly, loading clothes will be extremely inconvenient.
- It will be necessary to reach the loading hatch. And unloading wet things is even more difficult.
- If the washing machine breaks, you will have to dismantle it, but you won’t be able to handle it alone.
Installation Features
The easiest way is to plan the installation of a washing machine immediately after moving to a new living space, or if you have started a major renovation of the entire apartment. In this way, you can achieve maximum convenience and comfort when installing this piece of household appliances and subsequent interior design.
When deciding to install a washing machine in a toilet, the first thing you should do is carefully study the features of the plumbing structures. The opening width of the entire structure must be at least 65 cm, and the height must be at least 85 cm. The gap is necessary to facilitate the installation of the machine and its removal if necessary.
Taking into account the limited space of the room, it is recommended to use narrow models of washing machines, which will look more harmonious and compact, without hanging over the tank.
When all the measurements have been completed and the machine itself has been purchased, you can begin constructing the structure for installation. This can be a special niche or a durable hanging shelf. Installers recommend using large metal corners. Wooden beams will not be suitable in this case: their fastening to the wall will not be reliable enough due to the weight of household appliances and vibration during their operation. After the corners are securely fastened to the wall, forming a frame, let's start with the electrical wiring.
The washing machine must be connected to the most reliable power source. Extension cords and cheap sockets are strictly prohibited! Often, bathrooms are not equipped with additional sockets, so craftsmen have to pull a copper wire from the electrical panel, carefully insulating it. After installing a moisture-resistant outlet, you must check its functionality. Having made sure that the installation of the power supply is reliable and safe, we proceed to connecting the water supply.
Preparing the installation site
When a washing machine is purchased for the first time in a new interior, it is very important to think about the place where it will be permanently located. This is an important point, since it will be necessary to enter the dimensions in a certain place
Therefore, if there is a certain position, it is necessary to measure 3 parameters:
- Length.
- Depth.
- Height.
In this case, you must add 1 centimeter to each obtained size.
This is important so that the product fits in freely or can then be removed from the required location without any problems. That is, this 1 cm on each side provides such an important backlash
It is necessary to choose a place for installation so that all three systems are located nearby or there is an opportunity to bring them there.
If we consider not the dimensions of the location, but specifically the location in an apartment or in a private house, then most often this household appliance is located:
- You can often find this household appliance in the kitchen. In this case, connecting to communications is also convenient, since they are located close. For those who are meticulous about the aesthetic parameters of any room, it is necessary to think in advance about installing a washing machine in a cabinet niche. In this case, you can organize the location in such a way that the front door completely covers the device from view.
- If the toilet room is large enough in size, then you can put the washing machine here too. True, some manage to display the unit even in a small room. In this case, it is mounted above the toilet. But it is precisely this kind of installation system that requires careful consideration and ensuring the proper level of reliability.
- You can also install a typewriter in the hallway. But most often this is due to hopelessness. The main negative aspect of this arrangement is that all communications have to be pulled here. In addition, from here the noise spreads quite intensively to all corners of the home.
- If the apartment has a storage room (closet), then you can install the machine here. Perhaps this is the best option if bringing communications here will not be too costly or problematic. After all, this is an isolated room from where noise will not be heard if the door is closed. The product will not spoil the aesthetics of the premises with its appearance. In addition, it will be possible to equip an entire laundry room here, placing all the laundry products, a laundry basket and other small items.
- In a private house, such household appliances are also located in the basements. This is very convenient, but the underground must be heated.
- In bathroom. Convenience in this case is due to the fact that all communications are located in close proximity. The appearance of the product fits harmoniously into the space. If you plan to renovate this room with a complete re-equipment of plumbing, then you can place the washing machine under a sink of a suitable design with an equipped drain along the rear plane.
In cramped conditions, but don’t be offended: washing machine in the toilet and bathroom
Crowding is one of the main problems of city apartments. In particular, the need to install an automatic washing machine, occupying a minimum of usable space, sometimes requires non-trivial solutions. In this article I will talk about how to place it in a combined bathroom, bathroom and even a compact toilet, and I will give a number of recommendations for connecting the machine to the sewerage system, water supply and electricity.
Washing machine in the bathroom of my house.
Where can I put a washing machine in a Khrushchev building?
In Khrushchev there are 5 main places where you can put a washing machine:
In the kitchen. If your kitchen is 5-6 square meters, then it is better to install an additional storage cabinet or dishwasher instead of a washing machine. In bathroom. Then you will have to remove the washbasin, or raise it higher. Or install a shower cabin instead of a bathtub. It will be difficult to get to the bathroom faucet unless you move it. Only a small washing machine will fit. In the toilet. The only place in a separate bathroom is above the toilet. There is a combined toilet and bathroom. We will have to demolish the wall, move some of the pipes, and arrange a redevelopment.
In the opening between the toilet and the bathroom. The most unusual option. You can make an opening in the wall and place the machine there. It’s very inconvenient and I don’t recommend doing this.
Location
Combined bathroom
For owners of private houses, the problem of placing a washing machine is not too acute: as a rule, the size and layout of the premises are initially adjusted to fit plumbing fixtures and household appliances.
What to do in the bathroom of a small apartment? Here are some solutions:
The washing machine replaced the sink.
The bath has been replaced with a shower. The washing machine is installed in the vacant space.
A shower cabin allows you to save not only space, but also water. To take a comfortable shower, 30 - 60 liters of warm water is enough. The bathtub holds 200 liters or more.
Bath
In addition to the solutions described above, in a compact bathroom it is common practice to install the machine under the washbasin. There are several subtleties here:
Several washbasin options.
The compact machine is located under the washbasin.
Toilet
How to place a washing machine in a toilet with an area of about 1.5 square meters?
The only option for its location is above the toilet and cistern .
Another interesting solution is to use a wall-hung toilet with a cistern hidden in the wall. There is still room above the machine for a boiler.
Of course, there are several nuances here:
The device is installed on a prefabricated rack made from a corner.
Reduced depth machines are available in the model ranges of all major manufacturers.
In general, it is better to lay all communications in the apartment openly. A couple of pipes on the wall will cause minimal harm to the aesthetics of the room, but their availability will save you a lot of nerves, time and money during your first plumbing repair.
All communications remain accessible. When the machine is not in use, it is covered with vertical blinds.
Choosing the right toilet
Calculating the height, understanding that the machine should be located as low as possible for ease of use. The standard height of a regular toilet is 80 cm and plus you need a place to press the button, this is not very convenient and aesthetically pleasing. The answer was found in the use of insolation of a wall-hung toilet, but here there is also a standard, usually 120–130 cm, but this is a bit high. More details about the installations.
In fact, there is very little information about the types and sizes of different manufacturers, but whoever searches will always find it! I settled on a reliable GROHE system, it is well serviced and there are spare parts. In this line there are systems from 90 cm in height, but you need to take 1 meter due to the fact that the toilet lid may block the button when open. Now, after choosing the appropriate plumbing fixtures and equipment, we proceed to installing the washing machine above the toilet.
I’ve decided on the system, and now the built-in hygienic shower is also on fire; these are usually installed in every hotel in Turkey. The manufacturer's name is the famous Turkish Vitra, although not often, it can be found in online stores.
The advantages of this toilet are as follows:
- compact pot with bidette;
- hygienic system with built-in bidette;
- well-thought-out drainage system;
- lid microlift.
My biggest concern was whether the mounting bolts would fit in different systems, but everything fits perfectly.
The washing machine is ordinary, depth 40 cm and load 5 kilograms. Preference was given to a model where the handle was located as low as possible for ease of loading.
Connection
How to connect the machine to all communications with your own hands?
Electricity
All modern washing machines use cold water for washing, heating it to the required temperature with heating elements. The exception is some rare Daewoo models imported to Russia in the early 90s. On the practical side, the presence of a heating element means that when heating water and rotating the drum, the power consumed by the device can reach 2.5 - 3 kW.
This has two practical consequences:
The permissible current is usually indicated on the front surface of the socket, between the holes for the plug pins.
The outlet is designed for a current of 16 amperes at voltages up to 250 volts.
Grounding to the water supply. This is not entirely correct, but it is practiced.
Sewerage
The drain hose must be raised to a height of at least 50 cm from the floor . The instruction is related to the absence of a shut-off valve on the drain of a typical washing machine: if you lower the hose lower, the water will begin to flow out of the tank by gravity.
How and to what can I connect the drain hose?
The machine is connected to the sewer through an oblique tee installed under the washbasin.
The bend and straight tee are usually equipped with a vertical pipe 40-50 cm high. Its upper edge is rigidly attached to the wall. The goal is to prevent the hose from falling below the notorious 50 cm above the floor.
The hose is connected to the siphon.
An important point: the connection between the sewer pipe and the hose must be sealed , otherwise the room will be saturated with unforgettable aromas of wastewater. For sealing, you can use rubber sealing couplings sold specifically for this purpose, or any available material, even tape.
To seal the connection, I used polyethylene foam left over from insulating pipes in the basement.
I strongly advise against drilling a hole in the riser and inserting a hose into it. The tip of the hose sticking out inside the riser will collect any large-sized debris traveling through the sewer - paper, rags dropped into the toilet and other unappetizing things. Sooner or later this will lead to a blockage, and both the neighbors above and you will suffer: the slab floors are not airtight.
This connection to the sewer is not a good idea.
Water pipes
The standard hose for connecting the washing machine to the water supply ends with a union nut with a pipe thread size DN20 (3/4 inch).
Inlet hose for connecting the washing machine to the water supply.
The modern market offers many taps of this size.
A couple of recommendations for choosing a faucet:
The photo shows a good, serviceable straight-through valve.
Instead of a specialized tap, you can install a regular ball valve with an adapter DN15 - DN20 on the outlet for connecting the machine.
Where can I install a tap to connect the machine with minimal modifications to the water supply connections?
Connection to the water supply with a pass-through tap.
Insertion in front of the mixer. Connection takes no more than half an hour.
Instead of a coupling, a tee is installed.
Brass saddle for inserting into a pipe.
Accommodation options
You need to think about installing a washing machine in advance in order to immediately provide additional space for it and prepare everything necessary for this.
— Combined bathroom
The most popular option is to place the “washing machine” under the sink. Many sink models are attached to the wall and the space under them, as a rule, remains empty. To successfully integrate appliances there, you should make sure that the height of the machine with the sink installed on top will be comfortable for use by all family members. In this case, the washbasin should have a flat bowl and be wider than the washing machine in order to protect equipment from water ingress. In addition, it is necessary to leave a gap between the sink and the appliances of at least 5 cm, because the washing machine can bounce under heavy load.
The next placement option suggests replacing the bathroom with a shower stall to free up a corner for an indispensable washing tool. This option is suitable for those who love practicality. A shower stall will help to significantly reduce the level of water consumption, and the presence of a washing machine will not cramp the space; it will be convenient for the owner to use all the bathroom appliances. And the space above the “washing machine” can be filled with a hanging cabinet.
There is also an option in which it is possible to install a washing machine instead of a sink, and wash using a faucet in the bathroom. To do this, you will need to purchase and install a mixer with a long swivel jib for ease of use.
