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Ultimate Washer Dryer Installation Checklist: 2024

Updated
Get your washer and dryer up and running quickly with this checklist.

It’s exciting when you’ve bought a new washer and/or dryer. But it’s not all fun and games. You need to set time aside to prepare for your new arrivals.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to do before your appliances arrive. This allows them to be installed seamlessly and without fuss, either by yourself or a professional.

Keep reading for the ultimate washer and dryer installation checklist, plus other important details you may not have considered.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepare the installation area with correct connections, shut-off valves, and enough space for the washer and dryer.
  • Installation may require additional accessories, such as new hoses, power cords, and stacking kits or pedestals.
  • Washer and dryer installation typically takes around 30 minutes, but can vary depending on the situation.
  • Consult with the manufacturer and supplier for specific installation requirements and recommendations.


What Do I Need to Install a Washer and Dryer?

Before your install team arrives, there are a few things you need to prepare in advance. This ensures they can install the appliances quickly and seamlessly, without running into any significant problems.

The main things include:

  • Working water shut-off valves.
  • Faucets and a drain line within four feet of the appliances.
  • Up to date drain hoses, such as stainless steel braided water intake hoses.
  • A power cord and nearby outlet.
  • Conversions or adaptors for appliances that require it — your supplier should have notified you if this was the case.
  • Stacking kits or pedestals if you plan to stack or raise your appliances.

While this seems overwhelming, check with the supplier if you need all of these items. Many suppliers will provide all the necessary installation accessories so that you can sit back, relax and watch them carry out their service!

Can You Install a Washer and Dryer Anywhere?

There are a few crucial details and accessories you need before installing a washer and dryer. While you don’t necessarily need to put your appliances in your kitchen or a utility room, there are some things you need to be aware of.

Firstly, there must be enough space for the appliances. Take measurements to ensure that the washer and dryer fit in the area you’re considering.

Your installation team will also need an accessible route. Ensure there are less than three flights of stairs or an elevator, as well as wide enough doorways and hallways.

But most importantly, you can only install washers and dryers where you have the correct connections. You’ll need a water supply, a wastewater pipe, and an electrical connection for your appliances. These need to be within four feet of where you want your appliance. If not, you’ll need to arrange for a plumber and/or electrician to install these connections in advance.

That being said, if you have the correct connections, you can install the appliances wherever you please. We have ours in the kitchen, but we know people who have their dryer in the guest bedroom!

Washer Dryer Installation Checklist

To summarize, here’s everything you need to do and check before your appliances are installed.

  • Check with the supplier: Before you prepare or buy anything, check with the supplier. They may provide all the items you need for installation. If not, they’ll tell you exactly what to do.
  • Check with the manufacturer: Once you’ve chosen your appliance, check with the manufacturer for specific steps and details. For instance, it’s crucial to check the exact dimensions of the washer-dryer with your manufacturer.
  • Correct shut-off valves: Your valves should be up to standards, identifiable, working, and accessible. If you have a gas dryer, your shut-off valve should have a metal connection.
  • Faucets and drain line: You need hot and cold water faucets and a drain line within four feet of where your appliances will be. Note that some washing machines only require a cold tap, so check with the supplier.
  • Pipe adapter: Depending on the brand, you’ll need a washer drain standpipe a certain number of inches from the floor. For instance, Samsung requires it to be 34-60 inches above the floor. Check with the manufacturer for their preferred size opening. You can purchase an adapter if necessary.
  • New hoses: Many installers require up-to-date drain hoses, such as stainless steel braided water intake hoses.
  • A power cord: You need to plug in most appliances, so make sure you have a power cord with the correct prong outlet plug.
  • Y-Connector: For steam dryers, you may need a y-connector for water connection purposes.
  • Flex gas line: For gas dryers, ensure you have a flex gas line.
  • Dryer vent kit: For vented dryers, you may need a semi-rigid dryer vent kit.
  • Liquid propane gas kit: You’ll need a conversion kit if your home uses liquid propane gas.
  • Plan the route: Ensure the installers have access to the room via 1-3 flights of stairs. If it’s more than three flights of stairs, they will need an elevator. Make sure the appliances will fit through doorways and hallways.
  • Measure the space: Measure the depth, width, and height of the area to ensure the appliances fit. Leave 2.5 inches at the back for washers. Leave six inches at the back and one inch on either side for ventilation for dryers. Make sure the doors of the appliances will be able to open fully.
  • Correct connections: Ensure you have all the necessary connections, such as a water supply, wastewater pipe, and electrical connections. They must be within four feet of your appliance.
  • Plan how you’re installing the appliances: Are you placing them side-by-side, stacking them, or putting them on pedestals? If stacking, make sure you buy a stacking kit from the manufacturer. If you’re placing them on pedestals, have them ready before the installers arrive.
  • Parking space: Make sure your installation team has parking access near your home.
  • Adult in the home: There must be someone at least 18 years of age at home when the installation team arrives.
  • Electrical connections: Check with your manufacturer to see what kind of outlet you need. Most require a 220-volt outlet within four feet of the appliance. However, Miele, for instance, only makes 110-volt dryers.
  • Wi-fi: Many machines use Wi-Fi now. If you bought a smart appliance, the installation team might connect it to the internet, so make sure you have the Wi-Fi network running and the password to hand.

How to Install a Washing Machine

Most suppliers provide installation of your new washing machine — and removal of your old machine — for free. But if, for whatever reason, that isn’t the case, here are some instructions for setting it up yourself.

  • Time: 30 minutes
  • Difficulty: Intermediate

What You’ll Need:

1. Unpack Your New Washing Machine

Carefully unpack your new washing machine, removing all packaging pieces such as wrapping, styrofoam, and ribbons.

It’s crucial to remove transit bolts from your washing machine. They are usually located at the back of the machine. You can loosen these with the appropriate tool suggested. Then remove them.

Some manufacturers provide plastic caps to put over the holes left by the transit bolts. Insert them now.

2. Level Your Machine

Tilt your washing machine back slightly to locate the adjustable feet. You may need someone to help you.

Adjust the feet by hand, rotating them until you find that the machine is level. Use a spirit level to check.

Once the machine is level, tighten the feet using the locknuts.

3. Switch Off Water Supply

Turn off the cold water supply by switching off the isolating valve. It’s usually a small blue tap. Unscrew the cold water-in pipe. Catch any water from the hose with a bucket or tray. When only a few drips are coming through, you can move on to the next step.

4. Attach Cold Water-In Hose

Your new machine should have come with a new cold water-in pipe that attaches to the machine’s upper back. Use mold grips or a mold wrench to install this. The other end attaches to your cold water supply. Screw it into place.

5. Switch On Water-In Isolating Valve

Release the isolating valve to let the water go through the pipe. Once the water is flowing, check that everything is secure and there are no leaks.

Once ready, you need to attach the wastewater hose. This varies by brand, so make sure to read the instructions carefully. But in general, you simply feed the included hose into the wastewater downpipe.

6. Power Up Your Machine

Finally, plug your machine into a mains wall socket. It’s crucial never to plug it into an extension socket. Many machines require more power than an extension cord can withstand. When extension sockets are subject to a higher wattage than they’re meant for, it can cause overheating and possibly even a fire.

Test that it’s connected by turning the machine on. The front screens should light up. Your machine is now ready to use. Toss in some clothes and laundry detergent and get cleaning!

Is it Hard to Install a Washer Dryer?

If you have the right connections and enough space, it’s not too difficult. It takes around 30 minutes and a little bit of plumbing knowledge, but anyone can install a washing machine with our step-by-step guide!

How Long Does It Take to Install a Washing Machine?

Around 30 minutes, give or take. It will take longer if you don’t have the necessary connections or have a complicated space to set it up. But if you have ticked off everything on the checklist beforehand, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 minutes.

FAQs

Do Washer Dryers Need a Vent Hose?

If you’re getting a washer dryer combo, most of them don’t need a vent hose. They use a closed-loop system to prevent heat and moisture from getting into the air.

Some use a vent hose, though, which removes moisture and air from the hose to a wall vent or window.

Check with your manufacturer to be sure.

Can You Install a Washer and Dryer Without Hookups?

For most combo appliances, all you need is an electrical outlet and a connection to cold water. For many appliances, you can hook your appliance to your sink using a portability kit.

However, if you’ve moved into a place with absolutely no hookups, you will need some installed. For proper hookup installation, you’re looking at around $350-600. Sometimes more if there is a lot of electrical and plumbing work to be done.

What are the 4 Wires on a Dryer?

A 4-wire connection is the updated circuit on a dryer. It includes four-conductor cables: black (hot), red (hot), white (neutral), and green (ground). Let the electricians worry about this, though!

Why Do Washer Dryers Not Need a Vent?

Some washer-dryers don’t need a vent. A non-vented system works in two different ways.

The first type uses a heating element and a heat exchanger. This condenses the water from your clothes before using an air path to cool the hot air path using the heat exchanger.

The second type uses a compressor and heat exchanger. It acts as a dehumidifier, condensing the air from your clothes through an evaporator heat exchanger. Sounds similar? The difference is that the machine recovers heat using the condenser then recycles this hot air to dry your clothes. It’s more energy efficient.

How Much Does a Washer Dryer Cost?

Determining how much a washer dryer costs depends on the make and model. Typically, you should expect to pay between $500 and $3,500.

What are the Cons of a Washer Dryer Combo?

There are several cons with a washer dryer combo. They have smaller drums, are less efficient, cost more, and deliver patchy results with cleaning and drying.


Arrange the Space for New Appliances

When buying new appliances, you must consider the washing machine and dryer installation process. Now you know how to install a washer and dryer yourself, but you’ll likely have an installation team do it for you.

Even with that, it’s important to prepare the area before the team arrives. This allows them to carry on installing the washer and dryer without hiccups.

Tick off the necessary boxes on our washer and dryer installation checklist, and your installation should run smoothly!

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About the Author

Beth McCallum

Beth McCallum is a freelance writer & book blogger with a degree in creative writing, journalism, and English literature. Beth firmly believes that a tidy house is a tidy mind. She is always looking for new ways to sustainably clean and tidy her house, that's kind on the environment but effective in the house, too!