Home Improvement & House Remodeling. Room Addition, Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeling

home / home remodeling guide / laundry room design - part 2

For a FREE Estimate Call (800) 724-9946

Laundry Room Design - part 2

By Allen Shapiro

In the first part of this article, I covered important location aspects that should be considered when remodeling an existing laundry room and when building laundry rooms in new constructions. This part of the article will cover additional aspects such as...

Plumbing Considerations

Automatic Shutoff Valves

The most common damage cause to a laundry room is water damage, cause due to hose bursts. To prevent this type of damage and avoid costly restoration, it is recommended to install automatic shutoff valves to the washer's water pipe. These automatic valves allow water flow only when the washing machine is in use.

Drainage

Proper drainage in the laundry room is important to prevent extensive water damage in case of a hose burst, a malfunction in the washer, or a tub overflow. A center drain in the room, with the floor sloped to it and the sub floor protected by a waterproof membrane is most recommended. Another option is installing the washer over a shower base with a floor drain.

Appliances and Space Considerations

Appliances such as the washer and dryer tend to last 7-10 years. Keep this fact in mind when remodeling your laundry room and don't design and plan the room to accommodate the specific sizes of your current appliances.

When you plan the location of these appliances, be sure to allow extra space to fit current and future appliances. If you have a front- loading washer, do not to enclose it under a permanent counter because your next washer may be taller.

This advice will also prove itself when you will sell your property as potential buyers always prefer a flexible configuration that will accommodate their items and will not require additional renovation or disassembles of existing fixtures.

Another important space consideration is the clearance around the appliances. As you design the laundry room, keep in mind that you want to have enough space to move around the appliances even when the doors are open.

If floor space is limited, consider a stacked washer/drier. Although usually it is more expensive, this is a great solution to save valuable space while enjoying the advantages of both a washer and a drier.

Allen Shapiro is a senior project manager for Remodeling California Inc., a leader in the Home Improvement industry. For more information about House Remodeling, feel free to Email Allen Shapiro or call (800) 724-9946.