Floor options under washer/dryer ?

10 years ago

We just purchased a condo in a highrise and scheduled to install new hardwoods. We wonder if we should install hardwoods under the washer as well. Due to building regulations, we can't install a drain on a pipe (to have tray with a drain under the washer). Would installing tiles or vinyl be better option in this case then hardwoods? My other question is: if we do proceed with hardwoods, is there any other way to protect the floors from leaks? Is this a real concern?

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PRO

Ellsworth Design Build

10 years ago

I have had hardwoods in many laundry rooms including my current. Never an issue. If you have a catastrophic failure of the machine or plumbing, the damage will be much more extensive then the laundry floor. Get stainless steel hoses to lessen the chance of hose failure. If this is part of a remodel, replace the washer valves with the type that only turn on when the machine is on.

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Comments (11)

suezbell
10 years ago
In your laundry closet or laundry room, choose a tile or vinyl beneath the washer/dryer.

If your washer and dryer are front loading, there are drawers that can be bought to place beneath each unit to raise them above floor level, however, whether or not any of these could serve as a drip pan is something I do not know.
dahlhouse00
10 years ago
We have wood floors in our laundry room. We bought a plastic pan to set the washer in.
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baileysr
10 years ago
I think you would be best to use something that won't get damaged by a water leak or day-to-day detergent spills, like tile or vinyl.
Bruce Crawford
10 years ago
We have porcelain tile in laundry & once beautiful oak in hall outside. My wife made mistake w/ new front-load washer that led to flood that spilled into hall. Now preparing to replace oak in hall w/ same tile we used in front of house & laundry.
Bruce Crawford
10 years ago
Ours was not catastrophic & not eqmt. It was operator error, but the floor is flat, so water went everywhere, some down drain, some out the door into hall. The laundry has tile baseboards, so it suffered no damage a squeegie couldn't handle.
PRO
Hal Braswell Consulting
10 years ago
Stainless steel hoses are great line of defense against major catastrophe. Also an easily accessible water cutoff valve for the washer, dishwasher/kitchen sink and each bathroom sink & shower. Not a fan of wood floors in laundries or other areas where water leaks or high moisture is a threat.
Bruce Crawford
10 years ago
Hal Braswell, that may be code now where I am. My water valves for washer have always been high, but were behind control panel for old top-load unit, so not easily accessible. W/ new front-load they are higher than machine. When washer installed, the valves were replaced w/ quick shut-off valves & hoses replaced w/ SS ones. When we reno'd K, I had main water valve where line enters hose replaced w/ quick shut-off valve.
uptoolate
10 years ago
We are having to move out of our house because they cross threaded the hot water line on our new washing machine on the second floor. It leaked every time the washer was used but behind the washer and a small enough amount that we didn't notice till water broke through the ceiling suddenly in another room the level below 5 months later. It gradually seeped and spread inside the floor and walls and caused extensive mold. It is $20k just to remove and treat the damaged areas without the cost of rebuilding included. A nightmare! I've been told you can get drain pans with water sensing alarms.
Bruce Crawford
10 years ago
UpTooLate, truly a nightmare. Hate to hear you're experiencing this. I once had a water problem in upstairs bathroom caused by contractor & faulty valve. It damaged ceiling below. Identified immediately, so no mold, but he repaired all at no cost to us.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
You can get alarms to attach to your washer and I never leave my washer or DW running when I am not home as for the floor i would do sheet vinyl