Time For A New Laundry Room – Suggestions & Tips #21

Are you thinking of a new main floor or second floor laundry room? Do you have a laundry room now that’s located on an upper level? A main or second floor laundry room certainly can be convenient, however if there’s a problem repairs can be costly.

With a laundry room installed above finished spaces or where damage beneath the laundry room can add up, it makes sense to try and minimize any damage as a result of water leaking. Of course, it’s not just the damage it might do in that upper laundry room but the spaces below it as well. Here are a few of things to consider:

1. Install a drain pan under your washing machine to prevent water / moisture damage from leaks or an overflowing washing machine;
2. Look at sloping say a ceramic tile floor (that has a waterproof membrane under it) towards a floor drain;
3. If you have a laundry tub but are unable to easily connect directly to your homes drainage system (via a drain pan or a floor drain), set it up so that any water in a drain pan is pumped into an adjacent laundry tub / sink;
4. Make sure you check the drain pan / floor drain and pumps periodically to ensure they are working as intended. Keep the laundry room floors free of any laundry and obstructions to ensure any water can get to the floor drain and evacuate water properly;
5. If you have a basement laundry room, it may make sense to install a drain pan there too, especially where you have finished floor areas or you have stored items of value close by; and,
6. Make sure you turn off the hot & cold water supply to the washing machine after each use.

Reducing the risk of water damage from a washing machine can save a lot of headaches in the future.

If you’re planning a renovation / addition, having your own private inspector involved from the beginning is always prudent.