4 tips for redoing your laundry room
Does doing laundry feel like a major chore? Is your laundry room in a state of disrepair, perhaps even wrought with hazards such as improper ventilation or deteriorating heating elements? When considering what part of the home to invest in remodeling, the laundry room may not immediately come to mind, but with a few simple considerations you can turn this space into a useful, joyful place for you to tackle household chores.
Renovating a laundry room can allow you to reap the benefits of high-efficiency appliances, enhanced safety features and. perhaps most importantly, a fresh aesthetic that can turn a chore into a pleasurable activity. If you are considering bringing your laundry room into the 21st century, here’s what you need to know before redoing your laundry room.
Location
A laundry room remodel may be the perfect time to determine if you’d like to actually move where your laundry room resides, if you have the space and budget. While the basement is an obvious choice, there are certainly pros and cons to having the laundry room in other areas of your home. For example, an upstairs laundry room enhances proximity to bedrooms, where clothes and sheets need to end up, and you may be able to connect to existing bathroom plumbing. However, excess vibration requires a dampening pad, and any leaking can damage the floors below. A first floor laundry room enhances proximity to other chores, but runs the risk of dirty laundry congesting high traffic areas of your home.
Front loader vs. top loader washers
While upgrading your washing machine is by no means a necessary step when redoing your laundry room, it can be a great time to invest in a higher efficiency washing machine. While front loading machines tend to cost a bit more than top loaders, they tend to clean more efficiently and effectively, saving you money in the long run. In addition, front loaders allow extra flexibility in designing your laundry room layout, as these machines can stack on top of front loading dryers. Front loader add-ons such as storage pedestals and countertops allow you additional ways to create the perfect space for your family’s needs.
Safety first
Washing machines are a leading cause of home flooding, and clothes dryers can be a fire hazard if not properly installed. To reduce the risk of these disasters, consider using braided steel washing machine hoses as opposed to rubber hoses, as steel hoses are much less likely to split or leak. In addition, ensure that clothes dryer vent ducts are metal and sealed with foil duct tape. Plastic flexible dryer vent ducts can catch on fire, especially if the lint trap or exit damper is not cleaned regularly.
Other safety features to consider include an automatic shutoff valve that will cease the water supply to the appliance if a leak or burst pipe is detected. While these components may be standard on newer units, they can also be purchased separately and installed on existing older units in many cases. Also, if your unit is on the first or second floor, a drain pan under your washer is a must-have to prevent leaks.
Ventilation
The distance from the dryer vent to the outside of your home should be as short as possible. As mentioned above, metal ductwork should be chosen over plastic to reduce the risk of fire. Consider opting for a self-closing outside vent cover to prevent cold air, debris, and pests from getting inside.
With these items in mind, the rest becomes relatively easy and fun: choosing what color paint, installing extra features such as an ironing nook, lighting, and extra storage are all on the table depending on your budget. Considering the amount of time spent doing laundry annually, an investment in redoing your laundry room will pay dividends for years to come.
Let Diamond Appliance help you keep your washer and dryer in great shape. We proudly offer washer repair and dryer repair to homeowners throughout the greater St. Louis and Kansas City regions. Offering Maytag washing machine repair, Estate washing machine repair, Whirlpool dryer repair, and repairs for many other top brands. Give us a call to schedule your repair today.
