DISCLAIMER:
Notwithstanding the suggestions below, Stonebrook (BCS367 Strata Corporation) assumes no liability for actions taken by the owner or their representative. Stonebrook recommends that qualified crafts people be engaged to conduct any work. It must comply with the BC Building Code.
OVERVIEW:
- When Stonebrook was built in 2003, laundry closets were for the maximum size of washers & dryers available at that time.
- Today these appliances may be wider, taller, and deeper so care must be taken in replacing an existing washer and/or dryer to ensure they fit (i.e. clearance space all around the appliances).
- The washer needs sufficient side and back clearance from the walls to prevent transmission of vibration noise to the building structure when spin drying.
- The dryer needs enough clearance at the back to attach the 4” diameter exhaust hose to the roof vent in the laundry closet ceiling. The connection is usually at the bottom back side of the dryer.
CHECKLIST:
- Carefully measure width and depth of the laundry closet, then subtract 1.5” from this to see what could fit when the appliances are operating (e.g. washer spin dry movement space). Compare this to the width and depth of any existing washer and dryer. Get a washer and/or dryer that is no bigger than this adjusted allowable footprint size.
- Ensure that there is about 5” free space between the back of the dryer and the wall so that the 4” diameter exhaust hose can be connected to the roof vent in the ceiling above the dryer.
- Carefully measure clearance height of the laundry closet opening, noting especially any free space needed to open the sliding or bi-fold door. When trying to install a dryer above the washer, whether stacked or on a separate shelf, the height of the dryer may restrict getting it in place because there may not be enough vertical installation height. (In one case, the existing dryer shelf was reduced in thickness from 2” to ¾” to make enough extra height room to fit the dryer!).
- The laundry closet has a standard 120 VAC 15A duplex plug to connect the motors in the washer and dryer (they share this receptacle). The dryer uses a separate 240 VAC 30 Amp receptacle for its heating coils. Note: A natural gas dryer cannot be installed as Stonebrook ONLY uses this for stoves and fireplaces. There is no gas line to the laundry closet. 5. Be sure to use only leak-resistant washing machine ¾” connection hoses made with stainless steel. The rubber hoses provided with a new washer may leak prematurely and cause expensive water damage (which may not be covered by home insurance). Better to do it right the first time