The laundry room is probably one of the most used rooms in your household. Depending on the number of people in your family, you might end up using between 200 and 400 gallons of water per week. For this reason, it is a good idea to try to optimize your laundry room to make it more efficient. With that in mind, we bring you some of the best laundry room plumbing tips!
Regularly check laundry drains
More efficient laundry rooms have a floor drain, which helps a lot with drainage. However, keep in mind that you need to maintain it regularly to prevent potential issues.
One of the most common issues with laundry drains is unpleasant sewer odor. That mostly happens because of the gases in the pipes that build up over time. The best way to take care of this problem is to flush the drain with a bucket of warm water. Do it once a week if the problem occurs often, or once a month if it’s not that common in your household.
Additionally, you can also flush your washing machine.
Check if your machine feeds into a sink or a drain
Lint and debris that gather after multiple washing cycles can clog the drain. Check where the machine feeds into, and install a filter to prevent further clogging. Clogged drains can also cause a bad smell. If you are moving into a new house, checking the drain system should be the number one item on the plumbing inspection checklist.
Inspect hoses at the back of the washing machine
At the back of the washing machine, you will see a couple of hoses. They take care of the supply and release of water during a washing cycle. The main issue with these hoses is that they wear out after some time. When that happens, you might even start to experience leaks because they don’t latch properly anymore, and rubber ones might even break. Replacing them is the best way to resolve the issue, and it’s best to use stainless steel braided hoses.
The good thing is that you don’t have to purchase the same type of hose. They are pretty much universal, depending on the type of machine you have.
Another thing to have in mind that sometimes the faucet is the problem. If you experience leaks at that end, be sure that the problem is in the hose and not the faucet. If the hose looks good, that means it’s time to replace or upgrade the plumbing in the laundry room.
Secure exposed pipes
You will also notice behind the washing machine that the pipes that connect to the hoses are exposed. It often happens that the hoses start to move rapidly when the washing machine cycle happens, and that can sometimes loosen the pipes. One of the most helpful laundry room plumbing tips is to use a zip tie or a rope to secure the pipes tightly. Furthermore, it can be an additional level of protection that guarantees the hoses are firmly attached to the pipes.
Keep that in mind when you are cleaning your laundry room. If you notice that the pipes look askew, that’s the reason why the problem occurred.
How to stop wasting water when doing laundry?
If you are washing laundry a few times every week, your water bill will be high. However, you don’t want to make it even higher by recklessly spending water.
If we consider that one load uses about 40 gallons of water, it is important that the machine is adequately filled. If you wash just a few items of clothing, that amount of water cycling through the machine will be harder on your plumbing. If you have one or two things to wash, it is better to do it by hand, unless you want to wait and put more stuff in.
How to protect your plumbing from overrunning?
The best way to address this issue is to create a washing schedule. Do not use the washing machine every day. Instead, do your laundry once or twice per week, depending on how many items you have to wash.
This approach is considered an efficient way to use a washing machine, and it will extend its longevity. Follow these laundry room plumbing tips, and you won’t have to worry about buying a new washing machine that often.
Listen for strange noises that might come out of the washing machine
The most common strange noise you might hear coming out of the washing machine is rattling. That sound is coming from a washer if the hose is loose. The washer is a metal plate with a hole that connects the hose with its connector. Washers may wear out and cause leaks, so be sure to catch that noise on time, call a plumber, and get that fixed or replaced. Do not risk a flood in your laundry room.
Moving a washing machine
If you decide to relocate at some point, settling into your new NYC home needs to be carefully planned, especially when moving your washing machine. When looking for residential NYC movers, make sure to ask if they have experience with this type of equipment. To be on the safe side, it is a good idea to call a plumber and have them disconnect everything and explain what the best way to move a washing machine is.
The most efficient laundry room plumbing tips delivered
And there you have it. These laundry room plumbing tips will help keep your washing machine in good condition and prolong its lifespan. Furthermore, by doing regular maintenance, you will avoid other, more severe issues. As a bonus, you might even end up saving money due to more efficient washing. All things considered, take care of your washing machine so that it can take care of you!
META DESCRIPTION: Discover the most efficient laundry room plumbing tips and avoid unpleasant issues. Here is how to take care of your laundry room properly!
