Types of embedding machines
There are two main options for any automatic washing device. These are free-standing and built-in options.
Connecting a washing machine.
Free-standing washing machines are a classic version of household appliances and can be installed anywhere without being tied to furniture structures, at the same time they allow their installation in furniture structures of a given size or between two furniture boxes.
Built-in washing units have their own specific characteristics. They are intended for use only in built-in form. The advantage of such designs is that, with the same technical parameters, built-in devices are most accurately mounted in furniture cabinets, while allowing them to completely hide their presence there, and also, due to technological subtleties, there are no inconveniences during operation, as when building in free-standing machines.
Putting the machine in place
Determine in advance the place where the washing machine will be located.
In the kitchen, a place for the washing machine is chosen closer to the sink. In this case, the washing machine should not be located close to the stove. The machine door must open completely and freely.
Place the washing machine in the chosen location. Level the washing machine horizontally and vertically. Use the washing machine's adjustable feet to adjust the level.
Important! A “crooked” installation of a washing machine will upset the balance when the drum rotates. As a result, the car will rumble and bounce.
Methods for integrating washing machines into kitchen units
The washing machine can be built in openly, when the front of the machine is not covered by the facade, and closed, when it is completely hidden by the facade of the kitchen unit. The second option is the most preferable, since this does not compromise the integrity of the kitchen furniture. However, in order to carry out hidden installation, you need to make sure that the dimensions of the device and the furniture cabinets match. For example, free-standing full-size washing machines in most cases have a depth of about 57 cm. Moreover, due to protruding controls and the loading hatch cover, this value can increase.
Location of the washing machine in the kitchen.
The depth of the kitchen cabinet-table varies between 56-59 cm, the depth of the countertop is 60 cm. Therefore, it is not always possible to build in a classic full-size machine in such a way that its front part is covered by the facade. Here it is important to remember the permissible distance between the back of the machine and the wall, and the communication hoses should not be pressed tightly against anything.
To integrate a full-size machine into a kitchen set, it is better to choose built-in devices. Due to their geometric dimensions, they can be installed taking into account the front door. As a rule, the front door is attached directly to the body of the machine; there are appropriate fasteners for this. This fact allows you to minimize the gap and achieve the required compactness. Reduced depth washing machines make it easy to install them in any way.
A free-standing version of washing units is usually installed between two adjacent cabinet boxes; if the project has front doors, then they are attached to the outside of their body. Sometimes the headset design includes a separate cabinet for the typewriter. The top cover of most devices is removable, this allows you to slide the machine body under the countertop.
When drawing up a kitchen project that contains built-in washing appliances, you need to consider the following aspects:
- trouble-free access to water communications;
- convenient location of the machine in the kitchen space (the dominant role is given to the main purpose of the kitchen);
- hard floor covering where the machine is installed;
- Possibility of service or emergency maintenance.
Washing machine dimensions.
It is advisable, if the kitchen area allows, to space out the installation locations of washing machines and ovens. This will avoid temperature changes and possible overheating. If this is not possible, then it is necessary to install a heat-insulating screen between the machine body and the oven.
The kitchen must be equipped with wiring that meets the requirements for connecting the electrical parts of machines. All work on laying or changing communications and electrical lines must be carried out before installing the headset and take into account the future location of the washing machine.
Pros and cons of installing a washing machine in the kitchen
Let's turn to the reviews of owners who have already installed washing machines (and other household structures) in their kitchens so that we have at least the slightest idea of what it looks like from the outside.
Pros:
- Saving free space, up to 1 m2, is quite a lot, provided that the owner of the machine lives in a small apartment (“small family”, “Khrushchev”).
- Ease of installation. A washing machine located close to the communications will make it possible to install it without any problems and push out protruding parts.
- If you have the opportunity to install a washing unit in a kitchen set, then you have the opportunity to choose any model according to your preferences.
In this situation, washing machines built into kitchen units have a significant amount of comfort and a fairly large number of features when using them.
Minuses:
Given the rules for using a washing machine in a kitchen, the doors of the unit will need to be left open after washing, which is quite inconvenient and not very nice.- If your washing unit is installed in the bathroom, then it will play a role not only as a structure for washing, but also as a place to store things. This action is not possible in the kitchen.
- All conditioners and other powders that are used for washing will not be very compatible with food. Storing food along with laundry detergents is a very bad idea.
In this situation, you can install the washing machine under the countertop, but it is better to first consult with all family members. Pay attention to reviews from owners who have already installed washing machines in their kitchens and choose the right option for you/your family.
Main stages of work
After approval of the project and installation of the kitchen unit, the installation of the device is carried out directly. Fully built-in appliances, as a rule, during the installation process provide for the presence of a furniture plinth at the bottom of the machine. For this purpose, there is a special recess on the body. The height is adjusted with special legs. The front door is attached to the machine body with special hinges. Connecting to communications is carried out in the same way as connecting classic devices.
The integration of a free-standing machine into a set begins with removing the top cover. Sometimes the top of the case is covered with a special plate, which is included in the kit. Next, all overall dimensions of the niche are checked and made sure that they correspond exactly to the dimensions of the built-in machine.
Washing machine hose connection diagram.
After this, the water supply and sewer drain are connected. When calculating water communications, it is advisable to take into account the length of the supply hoses, that is, there must be a certain reserve that will allow, if necessary, to pull the washing machine out of the unit without disconnecting the pipelines.
The pressure hose is connected to the water main using a tee, which is installed in a convenient place where there are threaded connections, for example, at the point where the mixer hose joins the cold water pipeline. A shut-off valve is installed between the outlet of the tee and the pressure hose of the machine. It is possible to install a tee directly into the main by welding it into a plastic water supply or using a fitting connection.
The drain hose can be connected in two ways. In the first case, a special drain siphon is required in the kitchen sink, which has an outlet for connecting a hose. In the second case, a tee is inserted into the sewer bed running in the kitchen, and a drain pipeline is connected to it. It is important to remember here that before entering the sewer, the drain hose must have an elbow-shaped bend 45-50 cm high.
Layout of sockets when connecting a washing machine.
The electrical part includes the presence of a power outlet or residual current device in the apartment circuit. If this is not available, then it is possible to install a special socket in which an RCD is built in. It is important to remember about grounding; if it is not provided for in the house design, then the presence of an RCD is mandatory, and grounding of an earthen allotment is strictly prohibited.
After connecting the communications, the washing machine is pre-installed in the niche of the unit; during the installation process, the location of the hoses is monitored, while avoiding their kinks. Then a test run of the device is carried out and an inspection is carried out for leaks. After this, the machine is finally installed, maintaining the level. At the final stage, facade doors are hung, if they are provided for in the project.
Sometimes the order of work may change, this is due to some points and features of assembling the headset. For example, connection to pipelines can occur after installing the device in the suite, through adjacent cabinets. This is not a very good installation option.
Atypical cases of equipment installation
It is best to plan the installation of a built-in washing machine with the design and installation of a new kitchen unit.
Final installation of the washing machine.
But in some cases, it is possible to integrate the device into a headset that did not include the device. This will require the desire and ability to lose any floor tables. If the dimensions of the freed niche correspond to the dimensions of the device, then installation is possible. In some cases, you can even select and install front doors that will hide the device in the headset. In any case, this is an individual decision and depends on many factors.
List of required tools
- Tape measure, level, screwdriver.
- Set of open-end wrenches (adjustable wrench).
- Screwdrivers.
- FUM tape.
- Pliers, scissors, knife, electrical tester.
It is possible to install a washing machine in the kitchen yourself. The result of the work performed to install a washing machine depends on the kitchen design, which must take into account the desired dimensions of the device. In small rooms, it is important to correlate the size of the device with the usable volume of the floor cabinets.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of a built-in unit is that you can place a full-sized model in the kitchen, which does not fit in a small bathroom. Other advantages include:
- Ease of connection, since all communications are located in one place.
- Using the space above the machine.
- You can install any model in the kitchen.
In addition to the advantages of installing in the kitchen, there are disadvantages that you need to be aware of in order not to harm your health:
Undesirable placement of a basket of dirty laundry in the kitchen.- Difficulty in rearranging when changing design.
- Incompatibility in the styles of the kitchen space and the car.
- The need to arrange an additional compartment for storing dirty linen.
- An open door to ventilate the machine after finishing washing is obstructive.
- Dirty laundry in the car is a source of unpleasant odors.
- The proximity of washing powder and products.
- The washing machine in the kitchen is a source of noise.
- Strong vibration during operation due to improper installation causes breakdowns of kitchen appliances.
If you plan to store conditioner and powder next to the washing machine, then leave 20 cm between the cabinet wall and the equipment.
