Well, our new washer and dryer have arrived, and we promised to share how installation went, what we did with the floors underneath, and how we like them so far. Over the years we’ve lived with several laundry setups: in our first house we had front loaders with a counter…
In our second house we had stacked front loaders with cubbies next to them…
…and here we had top loaders with cabinetry above. Here are the new units sitting in place (we haven’t finished the surrounding nook yet, so they’re not quite styled to perfection).
Each layout has its pros and cons:
- We liked the counter over the front loaders in our first house because it provided a large work surface, though it often became a temporary drop zone. That setup required more bending than the top loaders we have now.
- The stacked setup offered good storage with cubbies that didn’t accumulate clutter the same way a counter did, but it still involved bending and lifting to do laundry.
- Top loaders don’t allow for a full counter, but the dryer top still works for a laundry basket or air-drying items. We especially like the cabinets above — they hide supplies yet keep everything within easy reach.
*Note: We got questions on a previous post about why we don’t take appliances with us when we move. It’s partly regional: sellers often leave appliances and that value is reflected in the listing price, so new appliances can increase a home’s appeal and asking price.
About the delivery: the installers were friendly. Midway through I realized I should place a drop cloth to protect the runner because the old appliances were dripping. They wore protective booties, and with the drop cloth it looked a bit like a slip-and-slide, but they were careful and everything went smoothly.
Once the old appliances were out, we could finally replace the old pan under the washer and remove the carpet scraps that had been under the dryer. We decided to lay down 3/4″ plywood — the same thickness as our hardwoods — to give the particle-board subfloor a finished look. We stained one coat of Dark Walnut and sealed with three coats of SafeCoat Acrylacq to match the rest of the floor. We’d used plywood under the previous washer and dryer as well because reinforced flooring is easier on appliances and may extend their life.
We did the floor work quickly while the installers were moving appliances so they could get the new ones up without delay. Removing the old carpeting was a little tougher than expected — John had to scrape out staples after we pulled up the carpet and underlayment.
We had measured, cut, stained, and sealed the plywood in advance so the boards were ready to slide into place as soon as the appliances were out. The first board slid in smoothly.
The second board went in as well, though there’s a small gap where the molding juts out too far. We’ll cut one more strip of plywood, stain it to match, and fill that gap. We would have liked to prime and paint the blue trim in the nook while the appliances were out, but that will have to wait.
Stepping back, the plywood blends very well with the existing hardwood — the transition is subtle and from a distance you can hardly tell it’s different flooring. We plan to install white folding doors (replacing the blue ones currently there), so the subtle change should work nicely.
Because these machines live on the second floor and we want to avoid damage below, we installed the washer in a plastic water-catching basin and upgraded to reinforced steel water lines. During installation the water line connection did develop a small leak, but the installer tightened it and fixed the issue on the spot — a good reminder to check hose connections.
Now for how we like the appliances: we love the dryer. It’s quieter, has a larger capacity, and doesn’t over-dry or shrink clothes like our old dryer did, thanks to a heat sensor. It even has a pleasant chime when the cycle finishes, which can be silenced if needed. Both machines have digital displays that make it easy to see cycle times.
The washer has impressive capacity compared with our older models and fits more laundry per load.
Unfortunately, our new washer turned out to be defective. During our first full load after the installers left, the washer made a loud grinding noise during agitation — a metal-on-metal sound that was impossible to ignore. We contacted Home Depot and were initially told to call the manufacturer. Maytag scheduled a technician for seven days out, which was frustrating. After explaining the situation, Home Depot agreed to take the first unit back and deliver a replacement earlier in the week, which was a relief. We appreciated Home Depot’s help and would have liked the manufacturer to provide faster service, but the warranty and return process meant we’ll be covered.
So that’s where things stand: washerless for now, but loving the dryer and the new flooring under it. We’re hopeful the replacement washer arrives and works perfectly — I’ve never looked forward to doing laundry so much.
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Sidenote: We’ll be at the Richmond Home & Garden Show this weekend. We’re speaking at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday with a book signing after Saturday’s talk. We were also surprised to see our faces on a billboard while driving — it was exciting and a little surreal.
Seeing your own face that large on a billboard is equal parts thrilling and terrifying.