Sink above the washing machine: design features + installation nuances
Standard bathrooms, like combined bathrooms, as a rule, cannot boast of a large amount of free space.For such premises it is necessary to select only compact models of plumbing fixtures and household appliances, but even in this case, not everything necessary can fit.
A good solution to the problem would be to install a sink above the washing machine, which makes it possible to wisely manage the useful space. We will talk about what types of plumbing fixtures are suitable for such solutions. The article we presented describes in detail the technology for their installation.
The content of the article:
Washing machine under the sink: pros and cons of the solution
Owners of small bathrooms may think that installing a sink above the washing machine is an absolutely win-win solution. And indeed, this option has quite a lot of advantages. First of all, this is an opportunity to organize space extremely effectively by combining the layout of the upper and lower tier of the room.
If you place a few more shelves or a cabinet above the sink, the space will be fully utilized. Thus, even in a small room it will be possible to place the necessary household appliances.
In addition, you can find washing machines and sinks of various styles on sale, which will allow you to decorate the interior of your bathroom.
However, along with the advantages, this solution also has disadvantages. And quite significant. First of all, this is insufficient electrical safety.
The washing machine is one of the electrical appliances for which contact with water is prohibited. The sink located above the equipment is connected to the water supply, which is a potential electrical safety hazard.
Even a minor leak can cause moisture to enter the machine and damage it. Therefore, for installation above the washing machine, you should choose special sinks with a siphon located at the back of the bowl.
Their design is made in such a way that even if there is a leak, water from the bowl does not fall on the electrical equipment. Such shells are called “water lilies” and are sold in hardware stores.
Using water lilies is safe, but may not be entirely convenient. This is due to a non-standard siphon. Its design is such that the likelihood of blockages increases, since the water is not drained vertically, but horizontally. In addition, spare parts for siphons of this type are not always available for sale.
If it was not possible to purchase a special sink or for some reason it cannot be used, there is another solution. The washing machine is installed under a common countertop with the sink.
It looks like this: table top is installed of sufficient length, on one side there is an electrical appliance under the base, on the other there is a built-in sink. This solution is safer in terms of the use of electricity, but requires a sufficient amount of free space. Another unpleasant moment is related to the height of the washer.
Standard models have a height of about 85 cm; if you install a sink above such a device, using the latter will be extremely inconvenient. You can, of course, build something like a podium, but for small bathrooms this is not always possible.
Practice shows that the height of the equipment located under the sink should not exceed 60 cm. Thus, you will have to buy a special model.
They can be found in the lines of well-known manufacturers. Very often, such devices come with sinks that are ideally suited to all parameters of the machine. Such a purchase will be the best option for installation.
These are all the main disadvantages of installing a washing machine under the sink. Apart from some inconvenience from the fact that when washing your face you cannot come close to the bowl, because the space under it is already occupied. But you get used to it quickly enough. It must be admitted that all these disadvantages usually do not outweigh the advantages of such an installation, so such solutions are quite viable and in demand.
How to choose the right equipment?
Let's start with the features of choosing a washing machine. Theoretically, you can choose any model you like. But in order for a sink installed above household appliances to be convenient to use, the device should not be higher than 60 cm.
The depth of the machine is also limited. It can vary between 34-40 cm.Thus, it turns out that for installation under the sink you can only choose compact model.
As a rule, the capacity of such machines is small and rarely exceeds 3-3.5 kg of dry laundry. This option is not always acceptable, so some people decide to install standard equipment.
When choosing it, you need to understand that you will need to add at least 25 cm to the height of the selected machine. This is the height of the sink and the dimensions of the gap between the planes of the devices.
It is somewhat more difficult to determine the depth of the device. It should be completely covered by the sink, and it is best for the bowl to protrude beyond the boundaries of the washing machine in the form of a small visor.
This way the equipment will be reliably protected from water splashes that inevitably fly around while using the bowl. In this case, washing machines where the control panel is located on the top cover of the device are not worth choosing.
The best option is a control unit on the front of the washing machine. This will make it convenient to use and will not splash onto the panel. When choosing the depth of the machine, you need to understand that it will not be possible to move the equipment close to the wall. There should be a gap of about 8 cm between the device and the wall, where utilities will be located.
It turns out that the choice will have to be made only on a compact or even super-compact model, the depth of which does not exceed 40 cm. When choosing a sink, there are also certain difficulties.
For installation directly above the washing machine, only flat models are chosen. Standard bowls with a center drain will not work.On sale you can find special water lily sinks for installation above the washing machine.
Their main feature is the placement of the drain hole and siphon at the back of the bowl. They can be located on the side or back wall of the sink. The performance characteristics of water lilies vary depending on the type of drain.
There are two types of drain:
- Vertical. A flat-type siphon is placed directly under the drain hole. The main disadvantage of such a system is that the siphon is located above the washing machine, which, if a leak occurs, can lead to problems with the wiring or a short circuit. A significant plus is good water outflow.
- Horizontal. It involves placing the siphon as close to the wall as possible. This assumes that the wastewater flows some part of the way in a horizontal direction. This increases the likelihood of blockages. An undoubted advantage of the system is complete electrical safety, since the siphon is located away from the electrical appliance.
Water lilies can be completely different in shape and size. Among them, it is easy to choose a model suitable for your bathroom.
Like standard sinks, they can be equipped with a hole for mounting a faucet, drain-overflow system, plugs, plugs and other accessories. If you plan to install a sink built into the countertop, then you can select any suitable model.
Requirements for installing a sink above the washing machine
There are several requirements that must be strictly observed when installing a sink located above the washing machine.The bowl is placed so that its edges protrude beyond the edges of the electrical appliance by at least 2-5 cm, preferably even more.
Under no circumstances should the drain pipes of the device be placed on the machine body. They are placed behind the equipment. This is necessary in order to prevent liquid from entering the electrical appliance in case of leakage or damage to the integrity of the hoses.
If the sewer outlet is located in the wall directly behind the appliance, then the minimum width of the sink should be 58 cm. In the case where such an outlet is located in a different location, the minimum width of the bowl can be 55 cm.
Installation instructions for water lily shell
Before you begin installation water lily shells above the washing machine, it is worth checking its equipment. The equipment is a wall-mounted sink, so brackets are required for installation.
Most often they come with a bowl. It is desirable that it be this way, because their shape can be different. If the brackets are not included, you need to purchase them in advance.
Having prepared all the necessary materials and tools, we get to work. We perform the operations in the following order:
Now let’s thoroughly discuss the details of each of the upcoming stages.
Marking the wall for mounting the bowl
The first thing we need to mark is the line showing where the top edge of the washing machine will be. It will become the main one, and the rest of the markup will be performed from it.
We place the bowl against the wall, taking into account that there must be a gap between it and the washing machine. Its dimensions depend on the type of sink siphon.Having placed the bowl correctly, we mark the mounting holes.
An important point is the location for mixer installation. If it is assumed that it will be common for the bathtub and sink, and this option is chosen very often, you should check whether its spout is long enough for both plumbing fixtures. If this is not the case and the bowl is too far from the bathtub, you can install it close to the side.
Reinstalling the bowl
We start by drilling holes in each of the marked areas. The diameter of the drill must match the diameter of the anchor. Insert a bolt anchor into the prepared hole.
We place the brackets in the prepared place. Then we tighten the bolts, but not all the way, so that small gaps of about 0.5-0.7 cm remain on each. This is necessary for subsequent fastening of the sink.
We seal the future joint between the edge of the sink and the wall. To do this, apply a strip of silicone sealant to the back of the bowl. It should be located at a distance of approximately 0.5-1 cm from the edge. We process the brackets in the same way in those areas where they will come into contact with the sink. After this, we place the bowl on the brackets.
We take a special metal hook that comes with the water lily and insert it into the technological hole. It is located on the back wall of the sink. You can put the metal hook in place from any side convenient for you.
After the hook is installed, use it to fix the bowl in place and secure the connection with a self-tapping screw or dowel.Now you can finally tighten the anchors holding the brackets.
Assembling and connecting the siphon
It may be more convenient to do this while the anchors are not yet fully tightened. First we assemble the device. This must be done strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
During the assembly process, be sure to coat all threaded connections, as well as all sealing elements, with silicone sealant. We work with plastic parts very carefully so as not to break them with excessive force.
We connect a siphon pipe specially designed for this purpose to the drain hose of the washing machine. To be sure that when draining the water the hose will not tear off the pipe, we secure it with a clamp with a screw tightening. We connect the siphon to the sewer outlet. Plumbers advise bending the corrugation release with your knee and securing it with soft wire or electrical tape.
This creates an additional water seal. It will not be superfluous, since due to the design features of water lily siphons, the water seal in them often breaks and an unpleasant sewer smell enters the room. Bending a corrugated pipe will help solve this problem.
At the last stage, we proceed to install the mixer. It is rarely placed on the sink; most often it is mounted on the wall. The mixer is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
After this, you can perform a test run of water, during which you need to check all connections for possible leaks. If everything is in order, the equipment is ready for use.
Installation Guide for Undermount Sink
If you choose the option of installing a countertop sink above the washing machine, you will need to cut the bowl into the prepared base. In this case, we perform the operations in the following sequence.
Preparing the template and base
We begin work by preparing a template with which we will mark the tabletop. Some manufacturers complete their products with such a template; the buyer only has to cut it out before installation.
If this is not the case, we make it ourselves. To do this, take a sheet of cardboard, place the bowl on it, bottom up, and trace the edges of the sink. Cut out the finished template.
Let's start marking. If it is planned that the built-in sink will rest with its sides on the base, we make the markings in this way. Place the template in the place where the sink will be located and trace it with a pencil. We measure the sides and set aside the resulting distance inward from the edges of the intended hole. If the sink will be flush with the countertop, simply trace the template.
Now you need to cut out the intended hole. First, drill a hole inside the marked outline. We insert the blade of an electric jigsaw into it and carefully cut out a hole. Its edges need to be processed. We start with sanding.
Sand until the entire edge is smooth. After this, it must be treated with sealant. Apply it quite generously and spread it over the surface with a spatula. Apply sealing tape to the wet surface.
Reinstalling the sink
Apply another layer of sealant to the sealing tape previously glued to the cut of the hole and immediately put the bowl in place. Gently rock it to find the optimal position.
After we are sure that the sink is positioned correctly, we tighten the fasteners under the countertop. Now you need to let the sealant dry.
After the composition has dried, you can begin assembling and connecting the siphon and mixer. The equipment is assembled in accordance with the instructions received from the manufacturer.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video #1. What types of sinks are there above the washing machine:
Video #2.Water lily sink for installation above the washing machine:
Video #3. How to install an undermount sink:
A sink above a washing machine is one of the most practical solutions for small bathrooms. It allows you to place all the necessary appliances and plumbing equipment in a small area.
You can install the devices yourself. You need to act carefully and strictly follow all the requirements of the instructions, then the result will definitely please you.
Would you like to tell us about how you installed the sink above the washing machine? Do you know the technological details of the process that will be useful to site visitors? Please write comments in the block located below the text, publish thematic photographs, and ask questions.
I saw special washing machines under the sink in some online stores. There are those that come right with the sink, and there are those in which they need to be built in. Prices, of course, vary, but the main drawback is that this type of washing machine is not very popular, so the choice is scarce. I found only a few options and then I doubt the purchase. Still, you will have to somehow combine and integrate them yourself.
My bathroom is very small, and it would be interesting to try this option with a machine under the sink. This would free up some space, because now even turning around without hitting anything is problematic. True, the machine should not be smaller than the standard size, because with a small child you have to do a lot of washing, and if not everything will fit into one batch...