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An easy guide to DIY washer and dryer installation
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Hooking up a washing machine and dryer is a straightforward task and doing it yourself is a great way to save yourself some time and money! Different models of washers and dryers do vary somewhat, so consult your manual before installing your appliances. However, the process is generally pretty interchangeable, and we'll walk you through all of the instructions below.
How to Connect a Washer and Dryer
- Attach the dryer vent hose or duct to the dryer and secure it with hose clamps.
- Attach the other end of the dryer vent hose to the vent port in the wall and secure it with hose clamps.
- Plug the dryer in.
- Attach the water supply hoses to the water lines in your home.
- Attach the other end of the water supply hoses to the back of the washing machine.
- Connect one end of the drain hose to the washing machine and the other end to the drain receptacle in your home.
- Plug in the washing machine.
Steps
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Measure the space. Before you try to install your washer and dryer, measure the area where you intend to put them to ensure your appliances will fit. Keep in mind that your dryer will need about 6 inches (15 cm) of additional space in the back for venting. Also, consider how much space you will need for opening and closing the doors.
- Doors are typically around 20–30 inches (51–76 cm), in case your particular appliance doesn’t list the dimensions on the spec sheet. Play it safe and give yourself at least 30 inches (76 cm) to open the doors.
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Confirm that the floor is stable and level. Installing the machines on carpet, soft tile, or any weakly supported structure is inadvisable, as the machines may be unstable or damage the floor. [1] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Read the instructions for your washer and dryer. The instructions provided here will apply to the vast majority of washers and dryers, but it’s still essential to read the instructions that came with your machines in case they include any special features that might require additional steps.
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Check and clean your dryer vent . Electric and gas dryers both require venting. Unless your house has never been lived in, it is important to make sure your dryer vent is free and clear of all debris, as a blocked vent may be a fire hazard.
- Buy an inexpensive vent brush . Starting indoors, insert the brush a few inches and spin it. Then, remove the brush and clean off the bristles. Repeat until the bristles come out clean.
- After cleaning the indoor side of the vent, go outside and remove the vent hood to ensure it is clear of all lint and debris.
- It's a good idea to clean your vent every year. In addition to the safety issues that a blocked vent can cause, drying clothes with a blocked vent can damage your dryer and void your warranty. [2] X Research source
- Where is my dryer vent? The dryer vent is the port in the wall where you connect the dryer hose. That port leads outside and its how your dryer gets rid of any carbon dioxide and gas fumes. The dryer vent is not the same thing as the dryer hose.
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Make sure you have the right outlet for your dryer. Electric and gas dryers require different types of outlets because they have different electrical requirements. Confirm that the dryer you’re installing has a plug that matches the dedicated outlet for it in the wall. If there’s a mismatch, contact an electrician to swap the outlet out. [3] X Research source Here are the requirements:
- Electric dryers:
These require 240-volt, 30-amp circuits. These outlets are usually round and have three square-shaped slots on the top and sides, a circular pin in the middle, and an L-shaped slot at the bottom.
- Do you see a 3-prong outlet? This is an outlet for an electric dryer from before 1996. It doesn’t have a ground, the way modern 4-prong outlets do. Contact an electrician to have this outlet updated.
- Gas dryers: Gas dryers require “normal” 120-volt circuits. These are the typical interior outlets you find around most homes.
- Electric dryers:
These require 240-volt, 30-amp circuits. These outlets are usually round and have three square-shaped slots on the top and sides, a circular pin in the middle, and an L-shaped slot at the bottom.
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Carefully slide the dryer into place. Leave yourself a couple of feet of space behind the dryer so you can stand comfortably while hooking up the vent hose.
- If you’re using metal ducting instead of a flexible hose, you'll need to move the dryer all the way into place and attach the ducting while standing alongside the machine.
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Attach the vent hose or duct to your machine. Place one end of the vent hose over the vent hole in the back of the dryer. It is extremely important that this hose is installed securely with no tears or rips, since it’s responsible for channeling dangerous fumes and carbon dioxide away from your home. Slide the hose over the port on the machine, and use hose clamps to secure it in place. [4] X Research source
- If space permits, use a metal vent duct, as ribbed plastic and aluminum hoses can catch lint and clog more easily. Joints in the metal duct should be sealed with duct tape, as screws may also catch lint. The end should fit snugly into the machine, so no clamps or tape should be needed.
- The straighter the vent, the better it will function, as lint can gather in areas where the hose bends. This is another good reason to use metal ducting rather than a plastic or flexible aluminum hose.
- If using a plastic vent hose, slip a circular dryer clamp over the hose to hold it securely in place.
- Make sure your clamps are the right size and fit tightly. Many hoses come with clamps that are made to fit.
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Attach the other end of the hose to the vent port in the wall. If you’re using a flexible hose, clamp it into place the same way you attached the other end. Even if you have a metal duct that slides into place, you still need to secure it with a hose clamp. [5] X Research source
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Plug in the dryer and move it into its final position. Plug it in first to make sure it turns on and runs correctly. Then, slide it into the slot on the wall or in the closet.
- Double-check your dryer hose to make sure that it’s still secure before calling it quits!
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Run some water through the faucets. Place a bucket or tub underneath the hot and cold water outlets you'll be hooking up to and run some water through each. This will clear any debris that might clog your valve screens.
- Afterwards, make sure the faucets are turned completely off.
- If you do not have faucets you’re hooking up to (probably because you have dedicated supply lines installed), don’t worry about running any water.
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Carefully move the washing machine into place. Make sure you have enough room to navigate either to the side of the washing machine or behind it to hook up the water supplies.
- Most hoses only have a reach of a few inches; you may need to leave yourself room on the side to hook it up.
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Attach each of the water supply hoses to the water lines. Make sure the hot water hose (red) is connected to the hot water faucet (red) and the cold water hose (blue) is connected to the cold line (blue). Screw the valves in clockwise all the way until they won’t turn any further. [6] X Research source
- If your hoses aren’t color-coded, look for a little H or C on the hoses somewhere. These stand for “hot” and “cold.”
- The end of the hose that has a filter screen in the coupling attaches to your faucet. If the filter screen is not yet in the hose, insert one into the coupling before attaching the hose to the wall. The screens should be included with your hoses. [7] X Research source
- Turn the coupling clockwise by hand until tight. Then, with a pair of pliers, tighten the coupling by rotating it another quarter to half a turn. Do not over-tighten, as this may cause leaks. [8] X Research source
- If the valves are old, you may need to use a wrench or channel locks to fully tighten the couplings at the water lines.
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Attach the water hoses to the back of the washing machine. If the hoses didn’t come attached to the machine (they usually are these days), install them yourself after hooking the supply lines up to the faucet or water supply in the wall. Make certain the correct hose is attached to the correct inlet. [9] X Research source
- The ends of the hoses with plain rubber washers attach to the washing machine. If the couplings do not have washers in them, insert the washers first, otherwise your hose will leak.
- As with the screens, washers should be included with the hoses if they’re not already inserted.
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Turn on the water and check for leaks. If hoses are leaking, turn off the water and double-check that your couplings are tight and correctly threaded.
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Connect the drain hose to the washing machine. The drain hose should screw onto the water outlet similarly to the water hoses. With some washing machine models, you may find it is already connected, so you can skip this step. [10] X Research source
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Run the drain hose to the drain receptacle. Depending on your plumbing, you'll need to feed the hose into a drain on the floor, the wall, or into a laundry sink, or there may be a rigid pipe that extends down to a floor drain. [11] X Research source
- Your washer should come with accessories such as straps and/or a hook to help you secure the drain pipe. Consult the manual for your machine to learn how to use these parts correctly in conjunction with your plumbing.
- Make sure to leave a space of several inches between the end of the hose and the bottom of the drain or sink. Otherwise, your machine may siphon drained water back up the drain pipe.
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Plug in the washing machine. Then, push it into place against the wall.
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Check to make sure both machines are level . Uneven floors or incorrectly adjusted legs may prevent the machines from sitting flat. A level, available at any hardware store, will make it easy to tell if this is the case.
- Failure to level your machines may result in damage to your machines or floor.
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Adjust the feet at the bottom of each machine as needed. Lift or tip the machines slightly off the ground to adjust the feet. Some feet will self-level and will fall down to the floor as you lift. Others will need to be twisted counterclockwise to loosen and level the machines' feet.
- Consult the instructions that came with your machines for information on how to level them. Some machines require you to install feet or pads before you begin installing the machine. [12] X Research source
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Run both machines to ensure that they are working. The washing machine should fill and drain completely, while the dryer should heat up quickly.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat supplies do I need to install a washer?Homer Flores is an Appliance Repair Specialist and Training Manager at PreFix, a home maintenance company out of Austin, Texas. With over 15 years of experience, Homer specializes in home improvement, remodeling, and construction. Homer’s dedication to the PreFix mission of providing hassle-free one-stop-shop service for home care, in addition to their completion of the Capital Factory and Techstars Accelerators, has contributed to their growth of service to over 50 zip codes throughout the greater Austin area.Washer installs will require a set of supply lines, channel lock pliers, and a zip tie to fasten the drain line to the supply lines.
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QuestionHow can I stop my washer from bouncing around on the spin cycle?Community AnswerEnsure the washer is level and that all four feet are *completely* on the floor. If only three feet are firmly on the floor (with the fourth nearly down but not bearing weight) it can wobble and walk. Also verify the machine is level using a bubble level, any imbalance can cause strong forces during spinning. These are shown in steps 4-1 and 4-2 above.
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QuestionWhy are the new connecting hoses to the water taps each over four feet long even though the washer is one foot from the taps? Also, why wouldn't I get warm water unless I cut back on the cold water hose?Community AnswerThe extra length is there in case you need to move the washer further away from the wall than just one foot (to clean behind it, etc.). As to your second question, you may use up the water if you don't cut back.
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Tips
- If you are not certain that you are strong enough to move your washer and dryer or feel uncertain about your ability to safely install these machines, most vendors offer a professional installation service.Thanks
- Stackable washers and dryers install the same way side-by-side models do. Just slide the entire unit into place and hook it up all at once before pushing it up against the wall.Thanks
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Warnings
- Make sure that your water faucets are off before you begin, and that you turn them on before you push the machines back against the wall.Thanks
- Some dryers use gas heat rather than electricity and need to be hooked up to a gas line. If you are installing one of these machines, make sure gas is not flowing through the line before you begin installation. There should be a shut-off valve within six feet of the dryer that allows you turn the gas off. If there is no shut-off valve or you are uncertain how to turn the gas off, do not attempt installation yourself, as gas leaks are both toxic and a severe fire danger. [13] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ http://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/Production/802715.pdf
- ↑ https://content.abt.com/documents/3732/3406880.pdf
- ↑ https://www.maytag.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/types-of-dryer-plugs.html
- ↑ https://fredsappliance.com/dryer-repair/how-to-install-a-tumble-dryer-in-5-simple-steps/
- ↑ https://fredsappliance.com/dryer-repair/how-to-install-a-tumble-dryer-in-5-simple-steps/
- ↑ https://beta.adaappliances.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/461611-1.compressed.pdf
- ↑ http://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/Production/802715.pdf
- ↑ http://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/Production/802715.pdf
- ↑ https://beta.adaappliances.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/461611-1.compressed.pdf
- ↑ https://beta.adaappliances.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/461611-1.compressed.pdf
- ↑ https://beta.adaappliances.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/461611-1.compressed.pdf
- ↑ http://laundry.manualsonline.com/manuals/mfg/ge_appliances/sbsd137.html?p=2
- ↑ http://docs.alliancelaundry.com/tech_pdf/Production/802715.pdf
- Videos provided by HomeAdditionPlus
About This Article
Article Summary
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Before you hook up your washer and dryer, clean your air vent to guard against fire hazards. To install the dryer, attach the vent hose to the vent on the back of the machine, then push the dryer into its final position. For the washer, connect the hot water hose to the hot water faucet and the cold water hose to the cold water faucet. Finish by attaching these hoses to the corresponding inlets on the machine before turning on the water to test for leaks. For tips on installing the drain hose on the washer and how to test your machines are working, read on!
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