Installing a Washer and Dryer

Every time you purchase a new washer dryer or move you will most likely have to drag your old washer and dryer to your new place.  Most home rentals and all home/condo purchases don’t come with a washer dryer.  So there’s nothing worse than having to do your families laundry at the corner laundry mat.  In this post we will give you the basics on how to hook/ up and install your washer and dryer.  This is an important skill to have as most plumbers charge anywhere from $100 to $300 dollars for a simple installation.

Hooking up a washing machine and dryer is a fairly straightforward task. Although many vendors offer installation services, installing these appliances yourself can save time and money. Different models of washers and dryers do vary somewhat, but these instructions will guide you though the process of installation as it applies to nearly all machines, including both stacked or side-by-side units.

First – Measure the space. Before you try to install your washer and dryer, measure the area where you intend to put them to ensure they will fit. Keep in mind that your dryer will need about four inches of additional space in the back for venting.

Second – Make sure the floor is stable. Installing the machines on carpet, soft tile, or any weakly supported structure is inadvisable, as the machines may be unstable or damage the floor.

Third – Read the instructions for your washer and dryer. The instructions provided here will apply to most washers and dryers, but you should read the instructions that came with your machines in case they include any special features that might require additional steps.

Move the dryer into place. Leave yourself a couple of feet of space behind the dryer so you can stand comfortably while hooking up the vent hose and water and drain hoses.

• If using metal ducting instead of a flexible hose, you’ll need to move the dryer all the way into place and attach the ducting while standing alongside the machine.

Attach the vent hose or duct to your machine. Place one end of the vent hose over the vent hole in the back of the dryer.

• If space permits, it is a good idea to use a metal vent duct, as ribbed plastic and aluminum hoses can catch lint and clog more easily. Joints in the metal duct should be sealed with duct tape, as screws may also catch lint. The end should fit snugly into the machine, so no clamps or tape should be needed.
• The straighter the vent, the better it will function, as lint can gather in areas where the hose bends. This is another good reason to use metal ducting rather than a plastic or flexible aluminum hose.
• If using a plastic vent hose, slip a circular dryer clamp over the hose to hold it securely in place.
• Make sure your clamps are the right size and fit tightly. Many hoses come with clamps that are made to fit.
• Attach the hose or duct to the wall vent. If using a flexible hose, clamp it into place, as in step 3. A metal duct will not require clamps but should just slide into place.

Attach each of the water supply hoses to the faucets. Make sure the hot water hose is connected to the hot water faucet and the cold water hose is connected to the cold.

• Many hoses are color coded, with red for hot and blue for cold. Others are not marked, so it will be up to you to remember which is which when it comes time to connect to the washer.
• The end of the hose that has a filter screen in the coupling attaches to your faucet. If the filter screen is not yet in the hose, insert one into the coupling before attaching the hose to the wall. The screens should be included with your hoses.
• Turn the coupling clockwise by hand until tight. Then, with a pair of flyers, tighten the coupling by rotating it another quarter to half a turn. Do not over-tighten, as this may cause leaks.

Turn on the water and check for leaks. If hoses are leaking, turn off the water and double check that your couplings are tight and correctly threaded.

Run the drain hose to the drain receptacle. Depending on your plumbing, you’ll need to feed the hose into a drain on the floor, the wall, or into a laundry sink, or there may be a rigid pipe that extends down to a floor drain.

• Your washer should come with accessories such as straps and/or a hook to help you secure the drain pipe. Consult the manual for your machine to learn how to use these parts correctly in conjunction with your plumbing.
• Make sure to leave a space of several inches between the end of the hose and the bottom of the drain or sink, otherwise your machine may siphon drained water back up the drain pipe.

Adjust the feet at the bottom of each machine as needed.

Run both machines to ensure that they are working. The washing machine should fill and drain completely, while the dryer should heat up quickly.