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letsrock19

Dealing with Exposed Copper Pipes

8 years ago
In the laundry room of the house we purchased, it appears the decided to make a storage room on the main level a laundry room. When the water lines were ran into the room they were exposed and ran from the floor in front of the wall. There is an old laundry outlet box but I️ would like to update this if possible before I️ install a new washer and dryer. Does anyone have any advice besides?

Comments (11)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Could yo maybe take a picture from further back right now IMO the copper pies are below the part you would see since the washer will sit in front of the ones I see,

  • 8 years ago
    This is how it looks from the front.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Granted the cover trim....does not look generic so it may be specific based on the layout and the reasoning the plumbing is what it is. Only you can tell so much I suppose, just short of figuring out the runs from underneath, etc, etc....

    If you're handy, then just start making some access holes, go into basement/crawlspace and figure out the plumbing sitution and if it allows, then just redo your setup , etc.

    Personally, I would be relocating electrical, shutoffs, all plumbing, etc so it's not exposed and it's ~behind~ the laundry machine. Everyone has a different opinion on shut off valves....

    My shut off valve box ends about 5 inches below the top of the machine, so if I reach in, I can still turn it off in a dire emergency...I've never needed to, nor have I had hoses explode when away from the house

  • 8 years ago

    Could you explain why you want to change it? Functionality, design....

  • 8 years ago
    I would say for cosmetic reasons, and I would also like to update the outlet box that is there. I can’t figure out how I would update the outlet box though as the pipes run in front of the wall, all the laundry outlet boxes I could find seem to be so they are set into the drywall.
  • 8 years ago

    If this is just a cosmetic fix there are lots of easy solutions that do not require touching your functioning pipes. I wouldn't mess with them.

    one idea: hang a panel the size of the gap from the cabinet above the washer on a hinge , so it's easy to move but covers the space.

    Another idea: take off the cabinets, cut out a notch in the bottom/back of he one above the washer, rehang directly above the machines. Add a nice shelf above the cabinets with some labeled bins or baskets for storing XYZ. Now plumbing is out of sight.


    i could go on...

  • 8 years ago

    It wouldn't bother me a bit.

  • 8 years ago
    Is it a cold wall?
  • 8 years ago

    Your new washer drain hose will have a U bend holder that will keep the end of drain hose in a tighter U and it will just hook into your drain opening, no need to obtrusively loop way up and back down as the current one does. Your washer shut off surface mount box is a standard item still available at Home Supply Centres at least in Canada, not sure if I saw it branded as Aqua-Dynamic or Brass Craft or Waltec or ? I would also leave as is, maybe use some GOOF-OFF to remove the handyman on-off markings if that bothers you. Plug your new washer in to a plug-in surge suppressor, unplug when not in use and turn off the faucets after use. You and everyone else will be noticing your new washer, not the shutoffs and drain hose.

  • 8 years ago
    Thanks everyone for the comments and feedback, I really appreciate the help!