How to Plumb a Stackable Clothes Washer

Some apartments and cabins do not have the room to accommodate separate side washer and dryer units. For these installations, a half-width laundry compartment can house a stackable clothes washer and drier. In order for the components to function properly, they must be flat and plumb with all four feet securely on the floor to avoid rocking after making the links to the plumbing at the wall. You can plumb a stackable clothes washer in a few minutes with a few hand tools.

Connect the Units

Position the washer and dryer unit facing the laundry cabinet opening. Connect a washing machine supply line to the red connection on the back of the washing machine (sometimes labeled “H” for hot) using a set of slip-joint pliers. Connect the opposite end of the supply line to the left supply valve from the wall plumbing box and tighten the coupler. Repeat with the second supply line to the blue connection (sometimes labeled “C” for chilly) about the drier as well as the right-side valve at the wall. Slip the end of the drain line into the drain at the middle of the wall.

If the dryer is just a gasoline unit, place two or three wraps of thread seal tape around the gas connector at the compartment, then twist the gas-line coupler on the connector. Tighten the coupler having an adjustable wrench. Turn on the gas valve by rotating the handle counterclockwise until it stops turning.

Connect the power cord to the electrical socket. Turn on the cold and hot water valves.

Leveling the Washer and Dryer

Push the washer and drier into the laundry compartment. Adjust the position of the units so the compartment door can be closed without undermining the components, and so the washer and dryer doors could be opened fully without hitting the wall or even door.

Carefully push against the washer and drier unit to check for any wobble. If the unit stones at all, lower or raise among the leveling feet on the bottom of the drier with an adjustable canopy until the unit is solid and doesn’t wobble.

Put a level flat on the side of the washing machine. Raise or lower the toes on one side of the washing machine evenly until the unit is plumb side.

Position the amount flat on the front of the washing machine, and adjust the front feet of the drier up or down evenly until the unit is plumb front to back. Check the plumb on the side of the unit again to ensure it’s plumb on both sides.

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