When planning the layout of your home (in the case of new construction) or looking into renovations, you may find the space that seems to be the best fit for your laundry room is... upstairs.
Are you concerned about whether or not an upstairs laundry room could pose a risk in the case of a burst pipe or a flooding disaster?
Today, we'll take a look at those concerns and walk you through why an upstairs laundry room may just be the right choice for you.
While you may be nervous about having your laundry room upstairs, keep in mind that most apartment communities with in-home washer/dryer hookups have the same hookups on the third floor as they do on the first floor units. The same problems that could arise in a third-floor apartment, such as washing machine overflow, might cause an issue in your second-story laundry room. Don't let that stop you from considering a multi-level home, though! There are a few measures you can take to prevent any kind of laundry room disaster:
Install a recessed washer box:
- Install a recessed washer box in the wall behind the washing machine.
- This provides connections with shutoff valves for the water supply hoses, and a drain for the washer’s discharge hose.
- For easy access and servicing, mount the bottom of the box so it’s about level with the top of the washing machine’s control panel.
- Be sure to choose a box with the shutoff valves included.
Install a washer tray:
- Set the tray tight against the back wall framing and run the drywall down to it.
- The tray drain is an indirect line where the water is caught in the tray and safely drained away into the attached pipe.
- Washer trays are available at Lowe's or Home Depot.
Ensure the supply hoses are in top condition:
- Always check older supply hoses for cracks, and replace where necessary.
- If you’re buying new hoses, opt for the no-burst ones; they're rubber hoses that are sheathed with braided stainless steel.
- Be sure to use new hose washers. Connect and hand-tighten the hoses to the supply valves and the washing machine inlet.
- Turn the water on and check for leaks.
Turn off the water:
- When not in use, the supply hoses can be shut off to offer you peace of mind.
- Pull the single-lever shut off (located on the back wall of the washing machine).
If you have any fear that your upstairs laundry room will cause a house flood, contact us today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — every day except Christmas. We can inspect your chosen laundry room location, and make sure the entire system is working properly. We've been in this business for over two decades, and we know a leaky pipe when we see one. Give us a call at (864) 242-5511 or click the banner below to schedule service online.
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