In my Don Quixote blog the other day I talked about his amazing, rare, and small (but worthwhile) Victory.
Today I want to discuss another issue at the windmill that deserves a blog all to itself (and unfortunately makes his victory all the more hollow).
The Laundry.
Do all Windmills have Laundries?----apparently some do. Perhaps someone thought this "dragon" would be outside the Don's training and it would go un-noticed and unchallenged.
In the first windmill the tray for the washing machine had been installed "sideways." These trays are approximately 32" by 30"----they are NOT square. If you have a space for a side-by-side washer and dryer (typically 58-60 inches to accommodate a standard 29" wide dryer and 26" wide washer) and you install the tray sideways the dryer is not going to fit in the remaining space because of the tray.
If you do the math in the picture above it is going to be "close" to not working no matter which way the tray goes. Can you say "Stacking" washer/dryer?
The tray should be installed the LONG way----front to back. The reason for this is so that the drain and supply hoses/ connections behind the washer will drip into the tray if there is a leak. This also leaves as much space as possible next to the tray for the dryer.
Another issue with this tray was that neither of the manufacturer's cut-out locations for the pan drain was used. Instead, the installer had made their own drain location and caulked around the pipe where it entered the pan. As you can see in the picture----silicone doesn't really stick very well to the PVC pan. (Note the un-used drain location at the right edge of the picture.)
In the "year-later-windmill" we had an almost identical installation----with the addition of screws through the drain pan into the floor to hold the pan in place. These screw heads were caulked with the same silicone which we have already learned doesn't stick very well to the PVC tray. All of these additional, unnecessary holes will result in leaking of the tray over time.
What a pan in the butt!
Charles Buell
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You're so funny....pan in the butt! I have not seen any of these pans in our area. Must be a new West coast thing. I'd think the washing machine would dance all over this thing.
Hmmm, something I never thought about here - and definitely hope I never have to again.
Here you go Barbara: washing machine dance
Hope, do you see these pans in your area?
I say at LEAST 60" in width is needed for the average washer-dryer pair to be manuevered in and out safely (without damage). Less space than that generally causes problems, such as washer banging up against the dryer or wall during spin cycle, resulting in appliance and/or wall damage.
Repeat: You are so funny! So you agree washing machines dance!!
Charles, doesn't this situation fit into the measure twice, cut once category? One must be careful with the details.
Kevin, 60" is definitely a good idea.
Barbara, the trays----maybe we need to rename them "corrals"?
Gary, that and an understanding of the "bigger picture":)
Charlie, there you go getting your panties in a knot over a washing machine.
Good catch Charles. It is amazing what some contractors will do isn't it?
Stevie, to to:)
Michael, these things can be a pain in the butt---even if they are a great idea----especially on second floor installations.