The washing machine in the pantry

For owners of small apartments, the issue of installing a washing machine is becoming a real problem. They try to “cram” the unit into the bathroom, attach it to the bathtub, install it in the corridor, and integrate it into the kitchen set. And often none of the selected options becomes a success. If there is a small utility room in the apartment, it is permissible to put the washing machine in the pantry. Such an unusual solution may be the most optimal.

Challenges to be overcome

So, if the size of the pantry allows you to place the washer, you should think about solving some problems that arise when installing the machine.

First of all, we are talking about connecting engineering communications. Often in the pantry there is even no electrical outlet, not to mention the withdrawal of water and sewer pipes. If centralized communications go too far from the utility room and it is very difficult to bring them to the pantry, this idea will have to be abandoned.

Secondly, there is no ventilation in the small room, which is bad for the operation of the automatic machine. You can organize the ventilation of the room, but you should count on additional costs.

Thirdly, the pantry flooring is often not intended for the installation of washing equipment. If the room is even, concrete floor - you are lucky, if unreliable boards or bent chipboard, you have to think about strengthening the coating.

If you are not afraid of the described difficulties, you can safely proceed to the realization of the idea. So the washing machine “hides” from prying eyes, without cluttering the space of the bathroom or kitchen.

Ventilation organization

If communications are easy to bring to the pantry, respectively, the room borders on a bathroom or kitchen area. This layout is most often found in apartments. There are two ways to organize ventilation:

• having mounted a transfer grill in the door. After, a hole is drilled in the wall bordering with the bathroom or kitchen, which also closes with a grill. Air entering the pantry will exit through a second hole;
• having mounted the grill in the door, and passing the duct through the wall adjacent to the bathroom or kitchen area.

The first method is quite economical, but if the closet smells unpleasant, it is better to abandon it. The smell will be discharged into the kitchen or bathroom, which will cause inconvenience to family members. You can try to eliminate the source of “aroma” and organize ventilation in a simple way. The option with the air duct is more difficult to perform, but it is much more comfortable. Smells from the pantry will be removed directly to the mine in a timely manner.

In addition, a fan can be mounted in the duct system, which will increase air exhaust.

We strengthen the floor

The washing machines vibrate during operation, and some models at high speeds during the spin cycle can “bounce”, exerting tremendous pressure on the floor covering. To place the washer in the pantry, thoroughly prepare the floor in the room. It must be firm and even. This will ensure the normal functioning of the machine, protect the equipment from premature failure.

Worst of all, if there is a wooden base in the utility room. It creaks even under the weight of a person, so you should not install a washer on it. The algorithm of actions during the formation of a concrete platform on the floor will be as follows.

• First of all, the exact marks of the dimensions of the equipment should be transferred to the flooring. About 10 cm should be added along the perimeter of the drawn rectangle to prevent the destruction of the platform during the operation of the equipment.
• Gently tear off the base boards.
• Align the wooden formwork around the perimeter of the future concrete rectangle.
• Lay the reinforcing mesh for the platform, this will provide it with additional reliability.
• Pour the prepared place with concrete mortar, tamp it well.
• Lay the logs along the edges of the base to prevent the boards from hanging in the air.

Now you need to wait until the solution solidifies completely. After you should return the boards to their original place, firmly attaching them to new lags. A reliable floor covering for the washing machine is ready, you just have to put the equipment in and enjoy the comfort of its use.