A gas dryer will incur additional installation costs if you need a natural gas or propane line installed by your local utility company, which is often required in older homes only equipped with electric connections. The dryer itself will also require professional installation by a licensed plumber to ensure there are no gas leaks, although some stores offer installation deals for a newly purchased dryer.
Gas-powered dryers pose two additional hazards. First, the natural gas line may leak into your home, which causes a risk of fire or poisoning. Gas dryers also produce deadly carbon monoxide while they run, which is why these dryers must be vented properly. Proper installation minimizes these risks, and a carbon monoxide detector near the gas dryer will provide peace of mind.
Not all manufacturers will include installation parts and materials with a new washing machine or new dryer. When included in the purchase, these parts are often stored in the drum inside the appliances. Before beginning your installation project, always check that you purchased and received the correct appliance parts, such as the dryer power cord, dryer duct and vent, washer water supply hoses, or the drain hose.
Next, disconnect the old appliances, after making sure that the tubs are empty, and that no favorite shirts will be snuck away when the old dryer is removed. Before moving the appliances, measure the distance between the connections and the installation point to be sure the new hoses, vent for the dryer, and electrical cables will fit with the new washer and dryer features and supplies.
Disconnecting the washer and dryer requires unplugging the appliances from the wall. Empty any water from the washing machine supply lines into a bucket before removing them from the back of the washer. Always be sure to team-move a washer and dryer using a hand truck or dolly.
The other preparation is to measure the hallways, doorways, and stairways that the washer and dryer will have to be moved through. These measurements are good to know so you can be certain that the appliances will fit not only at their installation point, but along the route between the delivery point and the new laundry room. If necessary, remove doors along the way in order to be sure the appliances will fit without causing damage to the doors or nearby walls. Move furniture to clear the path as needed.
Due to the potential problems handling the natural gas or liquid propane connections in the home, professional installation is recommended for connecting a gas dryer. Many retailers will include installation service options with the purchase of a new appliance.
Know where the metal gas shut off valve is and that it is in good condition before your installation appointment. Most will be located directly behind the dryer. Some installers may have to replace an older, non-standard shut-off valve to guarantee safe operation of the dryer.
While the install and connection hook ups for washing machines and dryers may seem simple and straightforward, there are a whole range of extra considerations that should be planned out before the new washer and dryer are brought into the home. Determinations like where to put the washer and dryer, what type of power connections are available, and the venting options are all key safety factors to the type of washing machine or dryer that will work best for your household. Read on to learn more about to plan for these important details.
Laundry appliances are large and boxy, usually requiring two people to safely move and place into the laundry room. They can weigh anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds, depending on the type and features built in. Keep that in mind when you make your purchases, because it may take extra help to get a washer and dryer up to a second-floor laundry room, or even down to the basement hookups.
Always measure your home laundry area completely. The dimensions for washers and dryers are not standard and will vary. Even when replacing an older machine for a new one that is the same manufacturer and model, the measurements may have changed in the years since the last one was purchased, so it is not a guaranteed fit.
When planning your washer and dryer installation, remember that any maintenance work will require easy access to the back panels of the machines. Arrange the appliances so they can be easily moved in and out of the space. If space allows, plan a laundry room layout that provides enough room for someone to work safely in the space open between the appliances and the wall.
When installing a washer and dryer in a closet or other enclosed space, the doors in front of the machines must have open ventilation, either with a vent register on the top and bottom of the doors, or with louvered doors that allow free airflow. Due to the smaller, confined space of a closet, make sure that there are no additional fuel-burning appliances installed in the same area to avoid carbon monoxide buildup. It is important that the area around the washer and dryer have adequate air flow.
A washing machine installation requires access to both a ready water supply and the necessary plumbing for effective draining. They may fit in dedicated laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, or garages. Washer and dryer sets can even be installed in closets, providing they have a shared wall with the plumbing lines of perhaps a kitchen or bathroom, electrical outlets, and enough space and access for proper ventilation for the dryer.
A washer and dryer set may require either a 120-volt grounded outlet, which is the standard home electrical outlet, or a 240-volt outlet. Make sure you know the connection type available in your laundry room before you have the machine delivered or installed, to ensure the correct cord type is included.
Most washing machines will feature the 120-volt plug that can plug into standard home electrical outlets. Dryers, however, will likely require a 240 plug, even if it is a gas dryer. (Electrical power is required to run both electric and gas dryers.) Make sure that both the washer and dryer are close enough for the cord to easily reach the outlet and do not use extension cords for the appliances.
There are multiple hoses required to complete your washing machine installation: two water supply washer hoses and a drain hose. Not only are there different hoses for different jobs, there is some variety in the types of hoses available. The washer hose does not come standard with the unit and you should choose the type of hose that fits your budget and laundry setup. You should also replace washer hoses as needed to prevent leaks and to extend the life of the washer.
The other type of hose needed for washer installation is the washer drain hose. A universal drain hose connects to the washing machine outlet at one end, with a U-shaped bend in the opposite end that is designed to hook into the drain standpipe that connects to the home plumbing. The drain hose should be checked as part of regular maintenance on the washer, ensuring that the hose is secured in the standpipe and connected appropriately to the washer in order to handle the water pressure of the washing machine emptying the water from the laundry load. A standpipe hose grip can help keep the hose in place within the standpipe.
A washing machine load uses a large amount of water, creating a potential hazard zone in the laundry room in case of a leak. A washing machine drain pan is a metal or durable plastic base with raised outer edges that the washer and dryer can be placed in to contain any water from the appliances. It is an extra step you can take to protect your floors against the chance of leaks or flooding from the washing machine or steamer dryer.
It can be helpful to install the drain pans prior to installing the washer and dryer, as the appliances must be lifted over the edge of the drain pan, which requires they be unplugged and disconnected from any water supply or drain lines.
A high-quality drain pan is made of durable plastic or metal and will have a raised edge all around that traps the water to keep it off the flooring. The washing machine and dryer units should fit inside the drain pans completely, with a few inches to spare all around the appliances. Some drain pans may be large enough to hold both a washer and dryer in a single pan. Drain pans can be glued into place against the drywall and subfloor of a new build, or they can rest on top of the flooring.
A dryer uses movement and heated air to dry a load of clothes. The dryer vent is needed to safely get rid of the moisture that builds up inside the drum. It removes excess heat from the dryer itself to keep it from overheating, ensuring the washer and dryer stay in working condition longer. It protects the house and household from the dangers of high humidity, which can lead to problems like mold growth and water damage in the walls and floors, or even health problems.
Washer and dryer installation can get complicated in smaller spaces. With some front loading washers, it is possible to purchase a stacking kit that allows the dryer to be mounted to the top of the washer to save space. Because of the differences between brands and model designs, stacking kits are not universal and should be purchased to match the washer and dryer brand.
Keep in mind that a dryer can weigh up between 150 to 200 lbs. Only stack a dryer on a washer with help from others and the proper safety equipment, such as furniture movers or lifting straps. The washing machine should always be the base when stacking a washer and dryer, due to the added weight of the water with a load of laundry. Most washer pedestals will not work with stacked models due to the weight of the combined units, and they make it more difficult to reach the dryer controls.
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