well sort of,
im helping my folks move their washer and dryer from the 1st floor to a 2nd floor unfinished room.
the room will be drywalled, laminate floors put in, some ceiling lights, paint etc
the problem comes in with the washer plumbing and 220V electric outlet installation

has anyone done this or anything similar? im worndering what it might cost and if its a DIY or a pro job

1/29/2009 4:22:23 AM

How close are you to the circuit breaker? Running dryer cable is a pain inside a finished house, since it is so heavy/unbendable. Do you have a drop ceiling? Wiring the actual receptacle is not complicated and there are generally receptions with the receptacle. You may have to change your dryer cord depending on whether it is 3 or 4 prong.

1/29/2009 6:55:24 AM

^^I would say if you have to ask that, then you need a more experienced person to help. Not necessarily a professional, we do our own wiring at our house no problem. Ask friends or ask around at work and see if someone you know is more experienced with this and willing to help for a six pack or something.

1/29/2009 11:25:57 AM

to meet code you have to install a grounded 240 V plug (4 prong), not the ground-through-neutral (3-prong)

the complexity really depends on where the breaker panel and waters lines are in relation to this new room

1/29/2009 11:32:47 AM

well im sure i'll get an electrician to do the wiring, but i may try to pull the cables myself
but the biggest issue is the waste line for the washer
i have a bathroom close by, the kitchen and old laundry room is a floor below
this may be too much for me to handle

1/29/2009 1:29:31 PM

ya think?

1/29/2009 2:40:59 PM

Leave it on the first floor.

I used to work for a water damage re-construction company. I can't tell you how many houses were seriously FUBARed because of a laundry room or closet on the second floor.

1/29/2009 5:51:29 PM

^how did it happen?

there are many laundry rooms done on the 2nd floor, its not much different than having a bathroom.
as long as the plumbing and electricity is done by pro's then i dont see a problem with it

1/29/2009 10:00:52 PM

Id imagine the washer leaking a ton and ruining the floor/ceiling and walls below.

1/30/2009 11:49:08 AM

ive never seen a washer leak, unless you mean through the washer door, but even then you could put a ceramic or plastic box under the washer to catch all the water
like they do for water heaters,
amirite

1/30/2009 9:44:46 PM

not a difficult project by any means, especially if you have a bathroom nearby, the wiring for the dryer will be the easy part, and dont forget you need a dedicated circuit for the washing machine, for gods sake install an overflow pan with a proper drain under the washer, and use stainless braided hoses changed out every 5 years and you will never have a problem

plan on opening up some walls, its not gonna be a simple project on the plumbing, if you have any fixtures below or on the backside of any walls, chances are you have a vertical vent stack in the wall you can tie the drain into, the water will be a fairly easy project too, but if you have pex pipe instead of copper, i would have a pro do it, it's difficult to properly crimp

i used to exclusively do this kind of work, but i would definately reccomend contacting BigBlueRam on the plumbing, he has a smaller company that won't rape you on the price, a lot of contractors around here won't even touch a job like that

[Edited on January 30, 2009 at 9:57 PM. Reason : ^ there are a lot of ways for washers to leak]

1/30/2009 9:56:16 PM

If you are going to put a washer any floor above the first, make sure you put a drain in that room. There will be that random case that it could come in handy. Even if the plumbing is done right, your washer may fubar and then what are you going to do.

Our washer sits in a big metal pan of sorts with a drain in its center. The washer sits in the pan. The metal is just some form of oversized sheet flashing that has crimps in it to angle any water toward the drain.

They also sell things like this:
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(msrw1zee3ber1fi4y0b3nk55)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=4063525

1/31/2009 3:55:16 PM

lol codes

1/31/2009 4:26:19 PM

If the pipes bust you're in trouble...especially if you keep it on the 2nd floor.

1/31/2009 9:56:36 PM

my work is coming along well, i wasnt able to convice my folks to do the laundry
i think its ok but they're scared
the only problem i have is the water heater's pipes
im not sure if i should put some of the movable ones in front or behind the drywall

also im not sure if its worth disconnecting it to lift it up for the flooring

2/3/2009 3:16:51 AM

looks like i wont be putting in the laundry but the reno goes on
now i'd like to add pocket doors in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MnIwyKTP30

2/12/2009 12:51:28 PM

Washers can cause floods in the following manners:

* hose falls out of drain pipe
* water pressures exceeds 60psi and damages hose
* washer can drain faster than the pipe can carry water away

I'd recommend drainage buckets or catch basins, if possible, near the crucial areas that may be subject to these situations.

2/12/2009 7:19:23 PM

im currently mudding, and it sucks!!!!

3/4/2009 1:24:40 PM

finishing drywall is a lot more difficult than it looks, especially to get it right.

when you start sanding and priming, make sure you have REALLY good light to catch the imperfections or they will drive you nuts as you paint. I usually take a high-powered flashlight into my jobs before final paint and 'walk' the walls.

3/4/2009 2:10:25 PM

you mean make it perfectly smooth?

right now where the tape is there are lumps, hopefully when i paint it is not too noticable

3/5/2009 11:22:33 PM

It will be noticeable.

3/5/2009 11:30:55 PM