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Not all bathrooms have sufficient space – in the houses of the old building, it was not envisaged to install any equipment simply because it did not exist then. Those houses are still in operation and the owners have to solve difficult problems – how and where to install household appliances. Most often there are problems with the washing machine. It is necessary that there is water and sewerage nearby, and such conditions are only in the bathroom and 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 the usual sink in the smaller depth of the bowl, large dimensions and a drain of a special shape. The bowl is made as flat as possible. On average, its height, together with the drain protrusion, is about 20 cm.
At the same time, the dimensions of the sink are increased – it should cover the car standing under it, excluding moisture ingress. The width and depth of washing machines are usually 50-60 cm, smaller models are very rare. Sinks that are installed above washing machines have the same dimensions. Because of this shape – wide and flat – this type is also called the “water lily”.
The drain is also different. It can be located in the middle, as in ordinary washbasins, or it can be on the side, usually on the right. A small branch pipe drops down a few centimeters, then abruptly goes back or to the side. Special siphons are connected to such a drain. Sometimes they come as a set, sometimes you have to buy them separately.
When choosing a siphon for a sink above a washing machine, it is advisable to find a model to which you can connect the drain from the washing machine. In this case, connecting it to the sewer will be quite simple. It will only be necessary to insert the drain hose into the appropriate outlet. The same goes for the sink faucet. 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 low and shallow. For people of average height, washbasins in the bathroom are set at a height of 80 cm. Given that the sink has a height of about 20 cm, the height of the washer 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.
When installing, do not forget to leave a gap between the body and the siphon. When spinning, the machine may vibrate so that vibration is not transmitted and this gap is required.
The depth of the machine is also selected based on the size of the sink (or vice versa, depending on what is already available). On average, with a sink size of 50 cm above the sink, the depth of the washer is 32-36 cm, with a sink of 60 cm – up to 51 cm.
When installing, please note that the siphon should not touch the body. The reason is the same – vibration during the spin cycle.
A solid gap remains between the machine body and the wall, in which the sewer pipe fits well. If its diameter is larger, it can be partially hidden in the wall.
Sink above the washing machine: types
The water lily shell can have a drain hole in the center or on the side. Center drain models have a greater depth – the outlet requires space. On average, the depth of such a water lily shell 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, you can store small things there, on the other hand, it is not very convenient to clean it. But there are a majority of such models, since with such a structure there are fewer requirements for balancing (stability) of the washing machine – the gap allows you not to worry about vibration during operation.
From the point of view of electrical safety, this option is not the best – if the siphon leaks, water will pour onto the machine. At the same time, it is highly likely that it will fall on live parts, which will cause a breakdown of the machine. So when installing the 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 lasts a long time.
Side and rear drain
Side drain is less common. In this case, the nozzle is shifted 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 may even be slightly higher. The depth of such models in the front is less – about 10-15 cm, and the back, where the drain pipe is located, also has a height of about 20 cm.
There are few models with such a structure. Only a few variants were found in our stores (online stores) — PAA CLARO made in Latvia. A ceramic soap dish is installed above the drain. In fact, it simply covers the drain hole and can be removed if desired. In warehouses it is usually available in white, but under the order it can be made in a color version – there are 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 products of local firms. A similar model is available in Russia – Water Lily Quattro.
What is good about this type of sink? The drain is shifted back, which means that even if a leak occurs, water will not get on the machine, which means that it will not bring harm to it.
Drain at the back
There is a slightly more familiar variety – the drain is shifted back, but without shifts to the side. 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 option 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 that covers the drain is removable – for the possibility of cleaning.
There are many more of these sink models. There are about the same number of them as with plums in the center, so there is a choice. The spread in prices is quite decent – from the Russian Suntec Pilot 50 (size 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 worktop
If the situation with the place in the bathroom or bathroom is not so critical, you can install the sink above the washing machine with a countertop. The machine is installed under the countertop. This option is the most preferable from the point of view of electrical safety. There is one drawback – countertop sinks are expensive.
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 drawers for storing chemicals or other things.
There are other models – angular, rounded, etc. They must be selected for each specific interior with its own dimensions.
What materials are they made from
Sinks for installation above the washing machine, like any plumbing fixtures, are made of porcelain and faience. Earthenware is cheaper, but has a more porous structure and is hygroscopic in itself. To get around these shortcomings, the surface is covered with glaze. With its high-quality application, the product has a good appearance, does not get wet. But after a while, the glaze can crack. The cracks are microscopic, but dirt clogs in them, the surface becomes grayish, and nothing can be done about it. Because faience has to be changed often.
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 maintain cleanliness.
Often there are sinks made of artificial stone. This is a mixture of polymer with stone dust and crumbs. High plasticity of the mass allows you to get any shape, to achieve any colors and shades.
There are companies that are ready to make sinks strictly according to your size. Naturally, individual production is more expensive, but the available area is used rationally.
Installing a washbasin above a washing machine
The installation of the sink above the washing machine is standard. The only difference is to mark the height of the washing machine, then choose the place for attaching 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, which each model has its own and it also depends on the type of bracket. So you have to count yourself.
After installing the brackets, you can try on: hang the washbasin and make sure that it is at the required height. After that, you can install the mixer and siphon. The siphon, as you remember, must be special, the exit of which immediately turns back. A corrugated hose is connected to the plastic pipe, which is fixed to the wall (possible with plastic clamps).
Next, install the sink on the brackets. Some of them provide fixation with bolts. At first and until the end we do not twist, we leave about 5 mm. Then we apply a layer of silicone sealant on the back wall of the washbasin along the upper edge. It will prevent water from entering the gap between the sink and the wall. After that, you can tighten the bolts.
Next – the connection to the water supply and sewerage, after which you must immediately check the performance of the washbasin. If everything is fine, you can connect the machine and slide it into place.
