Sink-lily: tips on selection and installation when located above the washing machine

Are you looking for compact sanitary ware for your rather modest bathroom to fit everything you need? Agree that the place of the washing machine is in the bathroom and you don’t want to take it out into the hallway or into the kitchen. Someone you know in a similar situation was saved by a water lily shell, and you are also thinking about purchasing one, but don’t know which one to choose?

We will help you in this matter - the article provides criteria for choosing a sink intended for installation above a washing machine. The main stages of installation are considered, following which you can cope with the task yourself without involving a plumber.

In addition, the article material is provided with visual photos demonstrating the differences between different water lily models, useful installation recommendations and video tips for choosing the best option for your living conditions.

Criteria for choosing a water lily

For modest bathrooms, plumbing manufacturers have specially developed washbasins of a special design - their height, on average, is 17 cm. This allows you to easily install the product on top low washer.

If you don’t know how to choose the best water lily sink for your bathroom, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the main criteria that are decisive and significantly influence further use.

Shape and dimensions of the product

This type of device, like others, is presented in a wide range on the plumbing market. The shape of the sink can be symmetrical, asymmetrical or angular.

In addition, the shape of the bowl itself plays a big role in choosing the right model. Their diversity is a source of pride for many manufacturers.

Which shape to choose depends on the interior of the bathroom, your preferences and the space provided for installation.

As for the dimensions, the water lily is available in three sizes:

• small;
• average;
• big.

The width of the products is in the range of 53.5-80 cm, and the depth is 50-60.5 cm. The smaller the washing area, the smaller the dimensions of the washing machine should be.

Therefore, when choosing plumbing fixtures, you should immediately measure the parameters of your machine.

The water lily should not be smaller in size than the washer. It’s correct when the sink, like an umbrella, covers the machine from above, protecting it from possible splashes.

If you are planning to buy new equipment, then you can pay attention to ready-made solutions offered by many stores - a low washing machine + a sink suitable for it. The latter is equipped with all accessories necessary for installation. And in terms of cost, such a set will cost no more than choosing the optimal sink for your favorite machine yourself in different stores.Most often, the set consists of a Candy or Eurosoba mini-machine and a sink from the Water Lily series of the Gonets company.

Read more about the criteria you need to pay attention to when choosing a water lily shell Further.

Number of holes and their location

When choosing a water lily, it is a good idea to pay attention to the location of the holes, their shape and number.

Most often you can find three types of holes made in the washbasin structure:

• socket for installing a mixer;
• hole for removing used water - drain;
• overflow hole.

If all models have a drain, then the first and third holes, depending on the manufacturer’s plans, may not be there.

Many sinks require the faucet to be mounted on the wall. Sometimes, if the water lily and the bath are located close together, it is possible to use the mixer together. In such a situation, the new washbasin should overlap the side of the bathtub, and the faucet spout should be a couple of centimeters above its top edge

As for the overflow hole, for safety reasons it is advisable to choose a model that has one.

The location of the drain directly affects the rate of waste removal. The fastest option involves placing the hole directly along the path of water flowing from the tap.

But then the flat-shaped siphon will be located above the washing machine, which is unsafe in case of a leak. It is more preferable to place the siphon behind the machine, and the hole, accordingly, is as close as possible to the rear wall.

Material of manufacture and manufacturer

An important nuance relates to the name of this type of washbasin - the Russian company “Gonets” has registered the trademark “Kuvshinka”.Under which it began to produce a wide range of sanitary products for installation above washing machines.

With the light hand of users, all shells of this type began to be called “water lilies.” Therefore, before purchasing the model you like, it is important not to forget to check the possibility of purchasing a new siphon if you suddenly need to replace it.

Domestic manufacturers have no problems with this part - spare accessories are supplied to sink sales points. As for foreign brands, you should immediately find out whether you are faced with the lack of a new siphon of the required modification.

In addition to the products of the TM of the same name, you can find quite interesting models from other brands. True, their cost is far from budget

Manufacturers of household appliances did not stand aside - a number of brands produce individual models of household appliances with a depth of 36-40 cm and a height of up to 80 cm. Among them are Samsung, Bosch, LG, Zanussi, Electrolux, Candy, Eurosoba and others.

The first two manufacturers on this list offer solutions that are not cheap at all. But the last two brands mentioned stand out with a very affordable price tag for their washing machines, designed for installation under the sink. So, at Candy it starts from 16 thousand rubles.

The line of machines intended for installation under the washbasin is represented by interesting models from Electrolux, as well as the Kandy brand. The dimensions of which are quite modest, but the capacity of the drum is appropriate - 3.5-4 kg. For Candy these are the Aqua and Aquamatic series

Three types of material are used to make water lilies:

• ceramics (faience, porcelain);
• vinyl (plastic);
• cast marble (or polymer concrete).

Which one to choose depends on the preferences of the potential buyer.While ceramics are a common material for washbasins, vinyl is considered less reliable.

But polymer concrete, which appeared quite recently and is used as a raw material for making water lilies, has proven itself to be excellent. The material is resistant to various damages and scratches. And also - a wonderful appearance.

In addition to specialized products, owners of small bathrooms also use other original options for combining a washing machine and a sink.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Having chosen the optimal water lily model that suits your washing machine, you can think about installing it yourself.This process is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.

In order for the installation of a wall-mounted water lily sink to be successful, you must carefully study the recommendations provided by the manufacturer. As a visual aid, below we will consider a step-by-step installation, generously supplied with photos.

Step #1 - installing brackets

First you need to determine the location of the household washing machine and sink. At this stage, it is important to carefully take measurements, installing the machine, but not connecting it.

When installing, the manufacturer recommends maintaining a distance of 2-3 cm between the upper part of the washing machine body and the lower part of the bowl.

You need to place the sink on top - here you will need an assistant to hold the product while you measure everything and make marks on the wall for installing the brackets.

First, holes are made in the wall for the brackets, which are mounted in accordance with the markings made on the bolts supplied in the kit. It is important here not to overtighten the connection, leaving a small gap of up to 7 mm.

A typical sink package includes: 1 – brackets with bolts; 2 – hook; 3 – siphon; 4 – the sink itself. But there is no self-tapping screw or dowel to secure the hook; you will have to purchase them yourself

If the installation is carried out in a Soviet-built apartment, where the brackets installed during the construction of the house are still in the bathroom wall, then the “Kuvshinka” brand sink can be safely mounted on them.

These holders are strong and reliable, and their size is just right. But this rule does not apply to products from other manufacturers.

Step #2 - installation of the siphon

Next stage - siphon installation. Its design and components may differ from typical ones.Therefore, you must first carefully study the instructions and then assemble according to the diagram included in the kit. It is important not to forget to place a conical gasket under each threaded connection.

Vertical drainage is more convenient in terms of speed of water removal, but placing the siphon directly above the body of the machine is extremely undesirable and even dangerous. After all, any leak can result in a breakdown of the programmer

The siphon is assembled, all that remains is to install it on the sink. To do this you should do the following:

• place the assembled structure under the drain hole at the bottom of the bowl;
• place a thick rubber gasket on top of the siphon;
• Place a rubber seal on the inside of the sink;
• place a decorative grill on top of the seal that will cover the drain hole;
• secure the assembled connection with the bolt included in the kit.

Most often, this type of sink has a siphon with a pipe for connection to the washing machine. This connection is also made using a rubber seal - a valve gasket.

The siphon design may have an S-shaped or flask-shaped valve. Immediately behind it, a corrugated section of pipe is connected, which must be connected to the sewer, then check the tightness of this connection

Step #3 - final fixation of the sink

After attaching the siphon, you can begin to secure the washbasin. To do this, you first need to insert the hook into any hole on the back wall of the sink (right or left). It is attached to the wall with a self-tapping screw and dowel.

Then you have to tighten the mounting bolts of the brackets until they stop.

For reliability, experts and the manufacturer recommend applying a silicone-based sealant to the contact points between the sink and the wall and brackets.

At this stage, it is advisable to install a mixer if it is common for the bath and sink or is mounted on the wall above the washbasin. The structure must be assembled and installed in accordance with the instructions that come with it.

If your model has a hole for the mixer, then it is advisable to install it strictly according to the instructions, not forgetting to place a sealant at the joints.

It remains to check the quality of the completed installation by turning on the water. If everything is sealed, you can place a washing machine under the sink and connect it to the communications.

Current care recommendations

In order for your new sink to delight you with its impeccable appearance for many years, you should use it correctly and provide timely care. Which consists of regularly washing the bowl with a product designed for cleaning plumbing fixtures.

Moreover, depending on the shape of the product and the location of the drain hole, daily maintenance may be required. It consists in blotting the remaining moisture in the farthest corner, from where the water has not completely left.

It is not recommended to place a metal bucket inside the bowl, drop heavy objects, or hang it, which children often like to do. Often the maximum permissible weight that, according to the manufacturer's instructions, a sink can withstand is 12 kg

When using this type of washbasin, you need to understand that its shallow bowl is unable to cope with a high stream and high pressure of water. Therefore, installing a faucet with a high spout so that you can fill a bucket of water in the sink is extremely undesirable.

A high jet and high pressure will be the culprits of constant splashes scattered throughout the bathroom. And in such a situation, you will agree, there is little pleasant.

In addition, do not forget that water lily siphons are more demanding to care for. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out cleaning at the first symptoms of blockage. If you notice that you have to clean the siphon almost every day, then there is a high probability of incorrect installation and connection of the plumbing.

If you had to disassemble the siphon or change the corrugated pipe that ensures the drainage of used liquid into the sewer, then do not forget to check the tightness of all joints during reassembly - water getting into the washing machine can cause equipment breakdown

If the siphon fails, purchasing a new one may be problematic. The very first plumbing store may not have the model you need, so it is better to immediately contact the brand’s service center or a company store.

Knowing this feature, manufacturers usually supply siphons complete with their water lily devices.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Recommendations from a plumbing store sales consultant on choosing a sink for installation above the washing machine:

The owner of the water lily shares his impressions of using this type of sink for washing in the bathroom:

High-quality connection and installation of the sink will ensure trouble-free operation. And proper operation and timely maintenance will extend the life of your water lily by a good ten years - right until the next repair.

If you are not confident in your own abilities, then it is better to entrust the installation of a new sink along with connecting the washing machine to plumbers.Otherwise, if water leaks onto the body of the machine and damages it, the manufacturer’s warranty will be void.

If you have had to deal with installing and connecting a water lily sink, please share your experience with our readers. Perhaps you know some nuances that we did not mention in our material? Leave your comments and ask questions in the block below.