Laundry Rooms: Upstairs Upgrade

Building an upstairs laundry room can be a great way to make your life easier and more convenient. By having the laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms, you eliminate the tedious task of carrying heavy laundry baskets up and down the stairs. This setup can also save you time by allowing you to go directly from the bedrooms to the laundry room, removing the need to collect laundry from multiple rooms.

However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when creating an upstairs laundry room. One of the biggest concerns is the potential for flooding, which can cause significant damage to your home. To prevent this, it's crucial to implement flood prevention measures such as installing a water shut-off valve, using steel braided washer hoses, and placing your washing machine in a drain pan.

In addition to flooding, you'll also want to think about noise and vibration from the washer and dryer, especially if there are bedrooms nearby. Choosing the right location, using cast-iron pipes or wrapping pipes with insulation, and selecting machines designed for quiet operation can help mitigate these issues.

With careful planning and the right precautions, you can successfully build an upstairs laundry room that brings convenience and efficiency to your daily tasks.

Prevent flooding with a water shut-off valve, steel braided washer hoses, a drain pan, and a leak detector

When building an upstairs laundry room, it's important to take precautions to prevent flooding. Here are some detailed steps to achieve this:

Install a Water Shut-off Valve

Ensure that your laundry room has an easily accessible water shut-off valve. When the washer is not in use, turn off the water supply to the washer using this valve. This simple step will eliminate the possibility of flooding due to a burst hose or an overflowing machine. You can also opt for an electronic valve shutoff kit such as Floodstop, which automatically shuts off the water supply when its water sensor detects a leak.

Use Steel Braided Washer Hoses

Invest in steel braided washer hoses, which are much stronger and less likely to burst than standard rubber hoses. This upgrade is worth the extra cost and provides added protection against flooding, regardless of the floor your washer is on.

Place Your Washing Machine in a Drain Pan

Install a drain pan or tray under your washing machine. If your machine overflows, the water will be caught by the pan and directed towards a drain pipe, preventing a flood. Make sure the tray is installed correctly, with the back tight against the wall framing and the drywall running down to it.

Add a Leak Detector

For added peace of mind, consider installing a leak detector. In the worst-case scenario of a flood, a leak detector will alert you to the problem before extensive damage occurs. Modern leak detectors can send email alerts, so you're notified even if you're not at home. Some leak detectors also come with automatic water shut-off features, adding an extra layer of protection.

Choose the right placement to avoid vibrations

When building an upstairs laundry room, it is important to consider the placement of your washing machine to avoid vibrations. Here are some tips to help you choose the right spot:

• Ensure that your floor is sturdy enough to support the extra weight and vibrations of a washer and dryer. If you have a wooden floor, consider reinforcing it with additional screws or beams to provide extra support.
• Place your washing machine on a sturdy platform or pedestal to reduce vibrations. You can build your own pedestal using plywood and trim boards, making sure to add a lip or frame around the edge to prevent the machine from vibrating off.
• Use anti-vibration pads or mats underneath your washing machine to absorb vibrations. These can be made from materials such as rubber, foam, or urethane elastomer.
• Level your washing machine and ensure that all four feet are firmly on the ground.
• Avoid screwing your washing machine into the floor, as this can transmit vibrations directly into the framing and cause damage.
• Choose a front-loading washing machine over a top-loading one. Front-loaders tend to vibrate less and are generally considered better for upstairs laundry rooms.
• If possible, position your laundry room near the kitchen or bathroom so that you can share plumbing lines, which will help to reduce costs.
• Consult with an engineer or architect to determine if your home can structurally accommodate a laundry room on the second floor. They can also advise on necessary mechanical changes, such as framing and running new service lines.

Opt for ventless dryers or ensure proper venting

When building an upstairs laundry room, one of the most important considerations is the type of dryer you will use. Traditional dryers require proper ventilation to the outdoors, which can be challenging in a second-floor space. Here are some options to consider:

Ventless Dryers

Ventless dryers are an excellent option for upstairs laundry rooms as they do not require any venting to the outside. They are popular in Europe and Asia and are becoming more common in North America. Ventless dryers work by recirculating air through the drum to absorb moisture from the clothes and then condensing the moisture through a heat exchanger. There are two types of ventless dryers:

• The first type uses a heater element and an air-to-air heat exchanger to condense water from the humid air. This type of dryer usually has a container that needs to be emptied after each cycle or a direct drain hose feature.
• The second type uses a compressor and heat exchangers, acting as a dehumidifier to condense the humid air. This type is more energy-efficient as it recovers heat and applies it to the drying process.

Ventless dryers offer several benefits, including:

• Space-saving: They can be installed almost anywhere in your home, making them ideal for apartments or homes with limited space.
• Energy efficiency: They do not waste energy by venting hot air outside, and they are gentler on clothes as they dry at lower temperatures.
• No venting required: You don't need to cut holes in your walls or worry about venting to the outdoors.

However, there are also some drawbacks to consider:

• Slow drying times: Ventless dryers may take longer to dry your clothes, especially for bulky items.
• High cost: They tend to be more expensive than conventional dryers, with prices starting around $1,000.
• Small capacity: Ventless dryers typically have a smaller drum capacity of around 4 cubic feet, compared to 7 cubic feet for traditional dryers.

Conventional Dryers with Proper Venting

If you choose to use a conventional dryer in your upstairs laundry room, proper venting is crucial. Ensure that your dryer is vented to the outdoors through an outside wall. Here are some tips for proper venting:

• Use cast-iron pipes for better noise muffling than PVC pipes.
• Wrap pipes with insulation to further reduce noise.
• Choose a quiet dryer model to minimise noise levels.
• Avoid sharing bedroom walls with the dryer to prevent noise disturbances.
• If your floor is uneven, use motion-arresting pads under the washer to prevent vibration.

Minimise noise with cast-iron pipes, insulation, and quiet machines

When building a laundry room upstairs, it's important to consider ways to minimise noise, especially if the room is near bedrooms or napping areas. Here are some tips to achieve this:

Use Cast-Iron Pipes

Cast-iron pipes are heavier and create less noise than PVC pipes. They are better at muffling water sounds and reducing unwanted noise. If you already have PVC pipes installed, you can reduce the noise by wrapping them with insulation or mass-loaded vinyl.

Insulate the Pipes

Insulating water pipes can help block noise and dampen vibrations. There are different types of insulation materials available, such as dense vinyl or recycled cotton. Wrapping the pipes with insulation can significantly reduce the noise created by water flowing through them.

Choose Quiet Machines

Selecting laundry machines engineered for quiet function can make a big difference. Look for machines with quiet operation features, such as the Bosch Nexxt washers and dryers, which are known for their quiet performance. Front-loading machines also tend to produce more vibrations and noise, so opting for top-loading machines can be a quieter choice.

Create storage with laundry baskets on shelves, a laundry room cart, and behind-the-door shelves

There are several ways to create storage in your laundry room using laundry baskets, shelves, and carts.

Laundry Baskets on Shelves

If you have a small laundry room, consider adding shelves to maximise your storage space. Reserve the lower shelves for frequently used items so they are easily accessible. You can also use adjustable shelves that can be moved to meet your changing needs. Wire shelving is an inexpensive and easy-to-install option, or you can opt for wall-mounted wood shelves for a more customised look. Corner shelves are also a great way to take advantage of all your available space.

Laundry Room Cart

Multi-tier rolling carts are one of the most versatile storage solutions. Place frequently used items such as detergent, dryer balls, and stain removers on the top tier, and less frequently used products like bleach and washing machine cleaner on the lower tiers. Simply roll the cart between appliances or wherever it's out of your way while working.

Behind-the-Door Shelves

The back of the door to your laundry room is also valuable storage space. You can install wall-mounted hanging racks that fold away when not in use, or use over-the-door hooks to hang laundry baskets or an ironing board. A hanging shoe organiser on the back of the door can also be used to hold cleaning supplies.

Frequently asked questions