Installing a sink over a washing machine

Not all bathrooms have a sufficient area - it was not provided for the installation of any equipment in the houses of the old building, simply because then it was not. Those houses are still in operation and the owners have to solve difficult problems - how and where to install household appliances. Most often, problems arise with an automatic washing machine. It is necessary that there is water and sewerage nearby, and such conditions are only in the bathroom and the kitchen. The bathroom for installing a washing machine is considered first. Even if it is very small, there is one good placement option - a sink above the washing machine.

What are the differences

The sink above the washing machine differs from ordinary sinks in a shallower bowl depth, large dimensions and a special shape drain. The bowl is made as flat as possible. On average, its height, together with the protrusion of the drain, is about 20 cm.

Dimensional drawing of the sink for installation above the washing machine

At the same time, the dimensions of the sink are increased - it must cover the machine standing under it, excluding the ingress of moisture. The width and depth of washing machines is usually 50-60 cm, smaller models are very rare. Sinks that are installed over washing machines are of the same dimensions. Because of this shape - wide and flat - this type is also called "water lily".

Types of sinks for water lily sinks

The drain is also different. It can be located in the middle, as in conventional washbasins, or it can be located on the side, usually on the right. A small branch pipe goes down a few centimeters, then abruptly goes back or to the side. Special siphons are connected to such a drain. Sometimes they are included, sometimes you have to buy them separately.

When choosing a siphon for a sink over a washing machine, it is advisable to find a model to which you can connect a drain from the washing machine. In this case, connecting it to the sewer will be very simple. It will only be necessary to insert the drain hose into the corresponding branch. The same goes for the washbasin mixer. Look for a model with an additional output for household appliances.

What washing machines can be installed under the sink

Small washing machines can be installed under the water lily sink. They should be short and shallow. For people of average height, washbasins in the bathroom are installed at a height of 80 cm.Considering that the sink has a height of about 20 cm, the height of the washing machine should be about 60 cm.For tall people, the normal installation height of the sink is up to 100 cm. In this case, the washing the machine can be about 80 cm high.

An example of choosing a washing machine under the sink in height

Remember to leave a gap between the body and the siphon during installation. During spinning, the machine can vibrate so that vibration is not transmitted and this gap is required.

The depth of the machine is also selected based on the dimensions of the sink (or vice versa, depending on what is already available). On average, when the size of the sink above the sink is 50 cm, the depth of the washing machine is 32-36 cm, when washing 60 cm - up to 51 cm.

When installing, please note that the siphon must not touch the body. The reason is the same - vibration during spinning.

Choosing a washing machine for a sink by depth

There is a solid gap between the machine body and the wall, into which the sewer pipe fits well. If its diameter is larger, it can be partially hidden in the wall.

Sink above the washing machine: views

The water lily sink can have a drain hole in the center or on the side. Center drain models are deep - the outlet requires space.On average, the depth of such a water lily sink is 18-20 cm. When installed, there is a significant gap between the bottom and the top cover of the machine. On the one hand, small things can be stored there, on the other, it is not very convenient to clean. But such models are in the majority, since with such a structure, less requirements are imposed on the balancing (stability) of the washing machine - the gap allows you not to worry about vibration during operation.

The gap remains

From the point of view of electrical safety, this option is not the best - if the siphon leaks, water will flow onto the machine. At the same time, there is a high probability that it will fall on live parts, which will cause damage to the machine. So when installing a washing machine pay special attention to sealing. Perhaps, in addition to gaskets and seals, it makes sense to use a sealant. Just take not acrylic, but silicone, and better for aquariums. It definitely serves a long time.

Side and rear drain

Side draining is less common. In this case, the branch pipe is displaced back and sideways and is located behind the machine body. With this structure, the sink can practically be laid on the top cover. The bottom is almost flat, the sides are flush with it or maybe even slightly higher. The depth of such models in the front is less - about 10-15 cm, and the rear, where the drain pipe is located, also has a height of about 20 cm.

Sink above the washing machine with drain on the side and back - PAA CLARO

There are few models with such a structure. In our stores (online stores) only a few options were found - PAA CLARO made in Latvia. A ceramic soap dish is installed above the drain. In fact, it just covers the drain hole and can be removed if desired. In warehouses, it is usually available in white, but on order it can be made in a color version - more than 20 colors and shades.

There is a clone of it - the Belarusian model Belux Idea. The difference in price, I must say, is not too big - $ 234 for the Baltic version and $ 211 for the Belarusian one.

There are several more options in Latvian stores: STATIO Deja, POLYCERS izlietne Compactino. These are also works of local firms. A similar model is available in Russian production - Kvatro Water Lily.

Side Drain Water Lily Shell Options

Why is this type of sink good? The drain is displaced back, which means that even if a leak appears, water will not get onto the machine, which means it will not harm it.

Rear drain

There is a slightly more familiar variety - the drain is shifted back, but without sideways shifts. All the advantages of this design are the same, the category is slightly more numerous - they do not look so unusual. There is also a non-standard version in this group - the BELUX EUREKA model (made in Belarus). In Eureka (pictured on the right), the mixer is shifted to the side, since the part covering the drain is removable - for cleaning.

Sink above the washing machine with a drain off the back

There are many more of these models of sinks. There are about the same number of them as with plums in the center, so there is a choice. The range of prices is quite decent - from the Russian Suntec Pilot 50 (dimensions 60 * 50 cm) for $ 36 to the Finnish Ido Aniara 1116601101 for $ 230 (size 60 * 59 cm). If you search, you can probably find both cheaper and more expensive.

With countertop

If the situation with space in the bathroom or toilet is not so critical, you can install the sink above the washing machine with a countertop. The machine is placed under the countertop. This is the most preferable option from the point of view of electrical safety. There is one drawback - sinks with countertops are expensive.

The washer can be placed under the worktop

To remove the dissonance between the part occupied by the body and the empty space under the sink, doors are attached to the second part, and inside you can make shelves or boxes for storing chemicals or other things.

Sink above the washing machine with a countertop

There are also other models - angular, rounded, etc. They must be selected for each specific interior with its own dimensions.

What materials are they made of

Sinks for installation above the washing machine, like any plumbing fixtures, are made of porcelain and faience. Faience is cheaper, but has a more porous structure and is hygroscopic in itself. To get around these imperfections, the surface is glazed. With its high-quality application, the product has a good appearance, does not get wet. But after a while, the glaze may crack. The cracks are microscopic, but dirt gets clogged in them, the surface becomes grayish, and nothing can be done about it. Therefore, faience has to be changed frequently.

Porcelain car wash

Porcelain sinks are more expensive, weigh more, but are more durable. The surface is smoother, dirt does not settle on it, it is easier to keep clean.

Artificial stone sinks are often found. It is a mixture of polymer with stone dust and chips. The high plasticity of the mass allows you to get any shape, achieve any color and shade.

Made of artificial stone sinks according to customer sizes

There are companies that are ready to make sinks strictly according to your size. Naturally, individual production is more expensive, but the available space is used rationally.

Another individual option

Installing a washbasin over a washing machine

The installation of the sink over the washing machine itself is standard. The only difference is to mark the height of the washing machine, then choose the place of attachment of the brackets for installing the sink so that the bottom of the sink is in the right place. How much to raise the brackets is written in the product passport - this is a variable value, which is different for each model and also depends on the type of bracket. So you have to count yourself.

After installing the brackets, you can do a fitting: hang the washbasin and make sure that it is at the required height. Then the mixer and siphon can be installed. The siphon, as you remember, should be a special one, the exit of which immediately turns back. A corrugated hose is connected to the plastic branch pipe, which is fixed to the wall (you can use plastic clamps).

The siphon for washing above the washing machine has a special design

Next, we install the sink on the brackets. Some of them provide for fixing with bolts. At first and until the end, do not twist, leave about 5 mm. Then we apply a layer of silicone sealant to the back wall of the washbasin along the upper edge. It will prevent water from entering the gap between the sink and the wall. Then the bolts can be tightened.

Next - the connection to the water supply and sewerage system, after which you must immediately check the performance of the washbasin. If everything is fine, you can connect the clipper and slide it into place.