A good bathroom equipped with a couple of smart and efficient appliances makes life easier, but comes at a cost. Modern washing machines and dryers can wash a large number of things in one wash, and keeping a washing machine in the house will greatly reduce your costs and make your life easier. But few people have a podium for a washing machine. Why is it needed and is it possible to do it yourself.
Let's look for answers to these questions.
Podiums for washing machines - do I need them?
Podium for washing machine is a small pedestal that fits under your washing machine, usually made of brick or wood. The purpose of such a stand is not only to make laundry easier and more enjoyable, but also to help extend the life and save you money. If you are already using washing machine at home, you know the vibrations can be a bit noisy.
Washing machines with high RPMs are especially troublesome. A good quality stand will do one of three things depending on the material and technology used.
The podium for the washing machine can:
- absorb vibrations, reducing machine movement;
- convert vibrations to heat to limit noise;
- eliminates the need to constantly bend down when loading and unloading laundry;
- if you make a podium with a box, then there will be additional space for storing useful little things.
Most washing machine stands use elastomeric damping materials to do all three, creating the most effective way to reduce noise and protect your machine from damage. It adds extra storage space to your laundry room and makes loading and unloading laundry easier.
The big question is do you need a washing machine stand?
For now, only you can answer this question. We can help! Here are a few circumstances in which you might find it useful to install a stand in your home:
Families living in single-level apartments
If you live in a small apartment, you know that sound travels easily from one room to another. If noise is a major concern for your washing machine, a washing machine pedestal can greatly reduce bathroom sound levels by limiting the sound volume in your home.
Families with small children
There just aren't enough hours in the day; many of us are busy doing laundry long after the kids go to bed. The term "sleep like a baby" is one of the most inaccurate terms in the world - babies can wake up at the slightest sound, so it's important to keep the laundry quiet if you're doing your laundry late at night.
Families with laundry on the second floor
If you do laundry in an upstairs bathroom, you may find that vibrations can travel through the floorboards and become a problem when you go downstairs trying to unwind after a busy day. Installing a washing machine stand can reduce vibration, creating a more pleasant resting environment.
As you read through this article, you should make sure that the pedestals you build are completely level and firmly anchored so that the washing machines don't slide off the platform.
Some hobbyists have installed hubcaps and anti-slip mats for extra traction. It's also important to plan for water runoff issues - perhaps by installing a drain pan.
The first way to create a do-it-yourself podium for a washing machine from wood:
- we take two bars (their length should be the size of your washing machine, approximately 630 mm);
- we put them parallel to each other at a distance of the width of your washer;
- we put boards on these bars and fix them with self-tapping screws;
- leave free space in front of the width of the board;
- turn the board over on its edge and fasten it to this space.
On a note! Larch is not afraid of water. Choose boards from it.
The second way to create a do-it-yourself brick podium for a washing machine:
- lay out two walls of bricks in one row;
- the gap between the walls also corresponds to the width of the washing machine, as in the previous version;
- we put concrete tiles on the walls, for example, and fasten everything with cement;
- put a metal corner in front (it will protect it from falling);
- brick walls can be tiled for beauty or a box can be provided.
Note: under the podium, you can not only hide the drain pipe, but also organize a storage space.
Washing machine stands are not needed in all homes, but in some they can mean the difference between a working washing machine and a non-working one. If you notice that your washing machine is damaged due to strong vibrations or dust, these are worth a try - you might be surprised how much they can change your life.
