Small bathrooms are inconvenient in every way. It is literally impossible to turn around to get dressed after swimming. In addition to the bathtub, there is a toilet bowl and a sink. The remaining free space can be characterized by the word "patch" that is suitable for this. But here you still need to attach the purchased washing machine. There is only one way out - you need to buy a water lily sink to be placed above the washing machine
The process of installing a washing machine in a small bathroom will not seem like a trivial task to anyone. The problem here is that all the components - and this is the sink and the washing machine itself - must be arranged and fit as tightly as possible. Only in this way can we create optimal conditions for being in the bathroom without undue embarrassment.
Such a traditional decision as buying a narrow washing machine is not a way out of the situation. Such a machine has a low capacity, and its height is far from ideal - if you place a sink above it, then the upper edge of the sink will be too high, which will create certain inconveniences. Therefore, along with the aforementioned sink, undersized washing machines should be used, the height of which varies between 60-70 cm.Regarding the choice of machine, the choice of the sink and the installation of all equipment, we will talk in our review.
Washbasins for washing machines
All sinks designed to install a washing machine under them are called water lilies. They have one thing in common - the minimum height. But there are still differences:
- According to the location of the drain;
- By design.
The drain can be vertical, as is done in conventional sinks - it goes vertically downwards, passing water well. But in this case, we will observe a lack of free space under the sink itself, we will have to put a small-sized washing machine here.
There are shell sinks with a back drain, which is located in the back - in this case, we can try to install a higher washing machine under the sink. The drain pipe will go to the sewer flush with the wall, starting from the back bottom edge of the sink. This option is more preferable for use, as it opens up the possibility for us to install a higher washing machine. The disadvantage is that such a sink can quickly become clogged - frequent cleaning will be required.
The next sink option is without a countertop. That is, the machine will be located directly under the bowl. Tolerable, but if the bathroom has a little extra space, then it is best to purchase a sink with a countertop, under which (if desired) you can even place a full-sized washing machine.
In our review, we will consider conventional back-drain shells, as they are more convenient. In addition to convenience, they are also safe, since the presence of a rear drain will prevent accidental water from entering the washing machine, which can cause a short circuit.
Pros and cons of a sink above a washing machine
There are a lot of advantages of placing a washing machine under the sink.. If the bathroom has minimal dimensions, then we could get rid of the bathtub itself, replacing it with a shower stall and getting a place for a washing machine. But since we chose a special sink and a special small-sized washing machine, the bathtub will remain in place, which is already a big plus.
By placing the washing machine under the sink, we significantly save space in small bathrooms without cluttering them with unnecessary items. For example, by making such an arrangement, we can carve out a place for installing a laundry tub.If we installed a conventional full-sized washing machine, then the laundry would have to be stored in the tub or outside the bathroom.
There are also many disadvantages:
- The need to purchase a special washing machine;
- High sink position when using a standard washing machine;
- The complexity of connecting the machine due to the lack of free space;
- The need to purchase and install a special water lily sink;
- Small capacity of small washing machines.
- A water lily sink for placement above an automatic washing machine is in itself a rarity, you still have to look for it. Similarly, you will have to suffer with the choice of a washing machine - small-sized models are also very rare. Otherwise, we will have to put up with the high location of the top edge of the sink.
- Installing the machine and sink in narrow bathrooms is a "pleasure" inimitable, so here we have to work hard, trying to turn around with tools in a minimum of space.
What kind of washing machine is needed to install under the sink
As we said before the washing machine under the sink should have a small height. Only in this way can we ensure that the upper edge of the sink is located at a height of 80-90 cm. For these purposes, you can choose the Electrolux EWC 1350 washing machine, which is perfect for installation under the sink - the height of this model is only 67 cm with a drum capacity of up to 3 kg .
Another one compact washing machine is Daewoo Electronic DWD-CV701 PC. Its height is even smaller than that of the model described above, at only 60 cm with a drum capacity of up to 3 kg, it is great for hanging on the wall.
If you choose from more spacious models, then you need to pay attention to the Candy Aquamatic 2D840. The capacity of this model is 4 kg with a construction height of 70 cm.
The Zanussi brand can also offer a small-sized washing machine - this is the Zanussi FSC 825 C model. The height of this model is 67 cm with a drum capacity of up to 3 kg.
Thus, washing machines designed to be installed under the washbasin still exist in nature. But the problem is that in order to purchase the selected car, you will have to run around the shops - they are quite rare. But there is still a way out of the situation if you turn to online stores.
How to install a sink over a washing machine with your own hands
In order to install a sink above the washing machine, you must first find it. To do this, you have to run around a lot of plumbing stores. You can also drop by Leroy Merlin - these are large hypermarkets of household goods and repairs.When buying a sink for installation above a washing machine in Leroy Merlin, we make an excellent choice, since the prices there are quite low - proven by experience.
The choice of sink and washing machine should be such that the machine is completely buried under the sink.without protruding an inch forward. It would be optimal if it moved deeper by another 2-3 cm, if you look at the front vertical plane. As for the sink, here we opt for the back-drain model as it is the safest option.
The installation process is reduced to several stages:
- measurements;
- Installation of brackets;
- Installation of a bowl;
- Siphon installation;
- Installation of a mixer (if necessary);
- Washing machine connection.
Measurements must be taken in such a way that between the bottom of the sink and the top cover of the washing machine there was a gap of 2-3 cm. Next, we mark with a pencil or marker the places of future holes in the wall, we pass the holes with a puncher, we mount the brackets. They must be held very tight to support the weight of the sink and occasional pressure from elbows or hands on the sink itself. But for now, we'll leave the bolts relaxed.
Next, we need to deal with the fasteners of the bowl, which we have on the brackets. For this, a metal hook is most often used here, inserted into a special hole in the sink. Further we fix the hook to the wall and tighten the bolts on the hook itself and on the brackets. The resulting design should hold very tightly and not hang out. In order to avoid water leaks along the back wall of the bathroom, we seal the points of contact between the wall and the bowl with a sealant.
Further install a plastic siphonto which the sewerage and drain hose of the washing machine will be connected.After that, you can proceed with the installation of the mixer, if its installation is provided for by the design of the sink itself - we will supply water using flexible hoses. As soon as everything is ready, tighten all the bolts again, check the connections and let the water run. If the design is assembled successfully, then there will be no leaks.
After that we execute washing machine connection - bring water to it, nearby mount the outlet for the washing machine (in its absence), we connect the drain hose to the pipe on the siphon. Now all our torment can be considered over - let's start the test wash and enjoy the results of our work!
