How to put a regular washing machine under the sink

Decision-making

Before you start work, it is important to decide and make the right decision.

What factors make sense to take into account?

Most modern apartments are small. At the same time, there is usually not enough space in the bathroom. Therefore, installation in the kitchen is not so much a matter of convenience as it is of necessity.
An important point can be considered the separation of bathroom functions. If laundry can be done in the kitchen, there is no need to wait for the shower to stop occupying it. And if we talk about those apartments where the bathroom is combined with a toilet, then this issue is even more important.
Don't forget about the danger of corrosion. The humidity in the bathroom is traditionally high, and this can damage the metal parts of the washing machine. In the kitchen, this factor is much weaker.
It often happens that more space is created in the kitchen for a washing machine. This gives greater freedom when choosing the most suitable model.
The kitchen is the only place in the apartment, besides the bathroom, where all the necessary communications are initially present.

Although the solution may be different in different situations, in most cases, the above reasons speak in favor of placing the machine in the kitchen.

Washing machine in kitchen design

Most people agree that SMA in the kitchen can ruin the design, but many find it a very convenient solution. There are thousands of layout options. With a skillful approach, you will not spoil the design of the room, but will only transform it favorably. If you have questions about how to install the machine so that the appearance of the kitchen does not deteriorate, we will help you with this. Of course, it is initially necessary to think through such an installation, and not just put the washing machine in the corner and calmly exhale. In this situation, it is necessary to select a machine to match the interior. The best option is to install the washing machine during the main design.

Under-table installation

Don't know how to integrate a washing machine under the countertop? There's nothing complicated about it. It is recommended to order a furniture set that matches the required dimensions of your machine. In this case, the equipment will be hidden, and you will get an additional countertop. You can also make a corner kitchen. In this case, the machine built under the countertop will not interfere with movement around the room.

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Built-in Model Options

You can also integrate a regular washing machine into the kitchen. To do this, you will need to make a furniture frame for the machine, which will fit perfectly into the interior and not differ from the main set. The main thing in this matter is to turn on your imagination and make all your desires come true.

Model selection

Even if the installation issue has been resolved in principle, it is very important to choose the right model.

There are front-loading machines and there are vertical-loading machines. The latter are much less convenient for the kitchen. Typically, the top surface is covered with a countertop, and the front is open for loading laundry.
Modern built-in models provide reduced vibration, which is combined with fairly high power during operation. If you cover it with a countertop, then you can cook food here or, for example, place a microwave.
Although it may seem unusual, in some cases (especially for very small kitchens) the option of placing the machine directly under the sink may be considered. In this case, the height of the washing machine should not be more than 60 centimeters.

Installing a washing machine under the countertop

This option would be ideal in a small kitchen.

Such a bulky appliance as a washing machine cannot always harmoniously complement a cozy kitchen interior. It is for such cases that they came up with built-in appliances, on the front panel of which there is a fastener for kitchen furniture doors. But what to do if you have already purchased a regular washing machine, but purchasing a built-in model is not yet part of your plans? In order not to violate the integrity of the kitchen design, the existing washing machine can be placed under the countertop, hiding its visible part behind the furniture facades, and if the washing machine organically matches the colors of the facades and the overall style of the kitchen, it can be placed under the countertop without hiding its front part.

Not every washing machine will easily fit into a niche or cabinet prepared for it in a kitchen unit. The height of the headset should exceed the height of the machine by several centimeters so that the equipment fits into it easily and can function normally. Also, a sewer drain and a water supply pipe must be connected to the installation site. The power outlet should be in an easily accessible place; the optimal height is 15–20 cm from the floor level.

Planning

In order to successfully implement your plans, it is very important to plan everything correctly. Many apartments, especially those built during the Khrushchev era, do not have much space.

Therefore, the very first task that faces us is to think about the arrangement of furniture in the kitchen, taking into account the fact that they are going to put a washing machine there. But there is one subtlety here.

The appearance of the washing machine is much more modern compared to various pieces of old furniture. A harmonious combination between them is unlikely to happen. Therefore, it is a smart decision to install the machine when updating the entire kitchen furniture.

Let's proceed directly to planning.

You need to prepare a blank sheet of paper and a pen or pencil. When allocating space, you need to take into account the dimensions of all the furniture that should be in this room.
The next step is to take measurements. In this case, you need to take into account the size of both the kitchen itself and each piece of furniture that is located there.
It is convenient to start placement in order to distribute the largest items. If there are a lot of them, it makes sense to cut out figures from paper whose sizes correspond proportionally to them.
When placing it, you need to imagine as clearly as possible how it will all look in reality. It is important to take into account communications and ease of passage and work in the kitchen.
Having arranged the main, most important and large items, you can think about the location of the remaining ones. In this case, you need to take into account the shape and size of each item as accurately as possible.
When planning, it makes sense to pay special attention to the accuracy of the installation of corner cabinets. The slightest mistake when installing them can lead to the most serious consequences.
It is necessary to clarify the dimensions of the washing machine, taking into account the various protrusions. If this is not done, during installation it may turn out that it is almost impossible to install the washing machine in this place.

How to choose a sink over a washing machine

You won’t have to decide for a long time with combined models. You just need to choose the appropriate design and installation dimensions.

An alternative bowl shape should be shallow (almost flat) to save space for the siphon.

Materials

Budget models made of plastic or earthenware have a significant drawback - they are produced according to standard shapes and dimensions.

Marble mixed with polymer or concrete is easy to maintain and lightweight. You can install any type of structure yourself.

Marble sink is durable and will last a long time

Water does not stagnate in a vertical siphon. It very rarely gets clogged, and there is no unpleasant odor in the bathroom.

If you choose this drain option, you will have to sacrifice the size of the washing machine. A horizontal siphon is installed next to the body of the machine. It is safe and airtight, but clogs quickly.

The washing machine drain is connected to the pipes under the sink

Safety regulations

There is no need to install sockets under the sink, next to the siphon or near the baseboard.

It is located under the tap, or slightly above the drain hole. The fuse tube is combined with the siphon.

Suitable sizes

Add 4-6 cm to the location of the washbasin. This extra centimeter will protect the machine from moisture getting on the panel and further reinstallation of the sink structure as a whole. You should not purchase a deep one: installation at a high level does not fit into the interior.

Sizing chart

Calculation of space directly for the washing machine

When considering its size and shape, it is important to take into account some features of the location.

When determining the distance from the wall, you need to add at least ten centimeters additionally. There will be various rods and filters located there, and appropriate space must be provided for them.
Usually in washing machines the height of the legs is adjustable. This is true, but there are limits here too. If the height is calculated incorrectly, it may turn out that the legs will have to be unscrewed altogether in order for everything to fit in the allotted space. It is recommended not to let this happen, but to accurately calculate the required height in advance.
There are also special requirements for width. It is recommended to leave an extra two centimeters on both sides. The fact is that during operation the machine vibrates and also sways, and if you don’t think about it in advance, it will touch the adjacent walls of the furniture.
It's important to remember that it's not just about providing space; That for the machine to operate, unhindered access to its various components is necessary. This applies to the powder cuvette, the hatch, a separate hatch for the waste filter and the waste water drain hole.
Sometimes various decorative strips are used for design purposes. In no way should they violate the requirements for the location of the washing machine, which are set out here.

Installation features

There are certain technical rules that should be followed when installing a washing machine under the sink:

the upper plane of the built-in washing machine must be completely covered by the sink with a minimum protrusion of 20 mm to protect the machine from water;
The drain should not be placed above the machine for safety reasons, as the machine may loosen the pipe and water will get into the machine, which will lead to its premature failure;
the axis of rotation of the torque element must be positioned strictly horizontally to prevent its premature failure, which is achieved using a water level and adjustable legs of the machine; in addition, the floor in the bathroom must be level.

You should not level the washing machine by placing additional objects under the legs, since the machine vibrates quite strongly during operation and everything will fly out from under the legs. Do not forget to dismantle the transport fastenings that are included with the machine. When connecting the washing machine to the sewer system through a siphon, the check valve is mounted in the drain outlet, and the hose is secured with a clamp.

Connection to necessary communications

To work, you need to connect to three types of communications:

sewerage for waste water;
sockets from which the machine will receive energy;
pipes or hoses for supplying hot or cold water.

First, let's take a closer look at how the socket is installed. Technically, this is one of the most difficult and responsible issues during installation. The fact is that there may be high humidity near the machine, which can cause malfunctions. In addition, the power supply requires quite a lot of power, and this requires special attention during installation.

When installing an outlet, you should not save on this. It is recommended to use a three-core copper wire of 6 millimeters and high quality insulation.

It is also recommended to use additional devices that will ensure safety during operation.

Devices that perform emergency shutdowns. They are important if there are strong voltage fluctuations in the network. Moreover, their use eliminates the possibility of a fire for the reason discussed here.
A circuit breaker that trips when there is a short circuit.

A few tips may be helpful during installation.

Connections between copper and aluminum wires should be avoided.
Do not use water pipes or heating radiators for grounding.
Choose your outlets carefully. It is preferable to use more reliable ones (those with a ceramic base).
Do not use extension cords or adapters for different types of outlets.
Remember that connecting the neutral wire to the ground wire is not recommended.
If electrical communications are laid for use by a washing machine, calculate what else can be connected to them. This is necessary to determine the maximum power for which they will be designed.

In order to equip a drain, you need two things: you need a special tank under the kitchen faucet, where there is an additional hole for connecting the hose and the hose itself. It is necessary to make sure that the length of the latter is sufficient for connection.

Another necessary communication is the water connection. To do this, a special tap is placed directly on the water pipe, which can switch the flow of water to the outlet to which the hose will be connected from the washing machine. In this case, it is also necessary to check whether the hose is long enough.

It should be noted that the best recommendations for connection are given here. Implementing them requires work, but the result will be a high-quality, reliable and durable connection. Of course, you can make it simpler, but this will make washing much more labor-intensive and risky (possibility of short circuit, water leakage).

Direct preparation for work

Before starting work, you need to prepare materials and tools:

Pliers.
Tape measure for precise distance measurement.
Adjustable wrench.
Construction level for precise installation of the machine.
Voltage detector in the form of a screwdriver.
Water hoses for water inlet and drainage after washing.
A utility knife will be required for unpacking.
You need a filter with a mesh and a tap for installation on the pipe.
Sealing photoplastic tape.
Pliers.
Various fasteners.

Unpacking

After the workplace was prepared, it was time to unpack the washing machine.

It should be noted that upon opening the box, we will see many additional fasteners. They are designed to make transportation safer. All such fasteners must be removed before installation can begin.

On the rear panel of the machine there are bolts that attach the tank. They need to be removed.
The drain hose and power cord are attached with special brackets. Before starting work, they are disconnected and placed side by side.
In some cases, bars are placed between the tank and the body. They can be pulled out by tilting the car.

It is believed that the box and fasteners should not be thrown away. In the future, the possibility of transporting the car or sending it for repair is not excluded, and for this it will have to be packed according to all the rules.

Installation process

Since the machine will be installed not just in the center of the kitchen, but as an integral part of a set of kitchen furniture, it should be positioned in such a way as to best suit the overall design of the kitchen.

Here you can offer several options.

Here are the ones that can be considered the most common:

You can simply allocate space between adjacent elements of the kitchen unit by simply placing the washing machine on the floor. This option is reliable, but it is suitable when its appearance does not contradict the overall design.
It is possible to make a kind of wooden container, inside of which everything will be located. This way the overall appearance will not be disrupted. However, in this case, certain requirements are imposed on the wooden box.
It is possible, in a sense, to combine the previous options. To do this, the kitchen furniture set must have a common front panel that will cover the washing machine with a special door.

Let us now clarify the features of the various approaches listed here. When using a container, there is no need to install the back wall, otherwise connecting to communications will become significantly more complicated. It is advisable that the machine stands on its own legs without the use of additional stands. When filled with water, it weighs quite a lot and only a strong support can support it.

The machine must be positioned strictly horizontally. To do this you will need to use a building level. Since the height of the machine's legs can be adjusted, this task is quite simple.

More about communications

The next step is to connect communications.

This has been discussed above, but several important clarifications are necessary.

The hose that comes with the washing machine has a certain length. Of course, technically it can be increased, but this is not recommended. The fact is that the proposed length corresponds to the power of the pump that was installed on the machine. For normal operation, a longer hose will require a more powerful pump.
Connecting the drain by connecting it to a drain siphon will work fine. However, there is a risk of unpleasant odors coming from the drain in the car. To ensure this is avoided, it is recommended to use another, additional siphon when connecting. Usually a special variety is used for this purpose, which does not allow odors to pass through.
When connecting water, a drain is made using a special triple edge and an additional pipe. The valve must provide the ability to turn off water from the machine while maintaining flow into the apartment for normal purposes. As you know, the purity of water is usually not ideal, and this gradually leads to contamination of the pipes and heating tank of the machine. In order to fix this, it is recommended to install an additional filter on this section of the pipe.