Well, our new washer and dryer have arrived! We promised to share how the installation went, what we did with the floors underneath, and our early impressions. Over the years we’ve tried different 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 in this home we’ve been using top-loaders with cabinets above. Here are the new machines in their nook — not quite finished-looking yet since the rest of the area still needs attention.
Each arrangement had its pros and cons:
- Front-loaders with a counter felt polished and provided surface space, but the counter easily became a catch-all and required bending over frequently.
- Stacked machines with adjacent cubbies saved surface clutter and offered good vertical storage, though there was still bending and lifting involved when handling laundry.
- Top-loaders eliminate the counter but give you the dryer top as a work surface. Cabinets above the machines are a favorite of ours: everything tucks away neatly while remaining accessible.
Note: We got questions on a recent post about why we don’t bring appliances when we move. In our area it’s common to leave them and reflect their value in the home’s listing price — sellers often advertise new, high-end appliances to increase appeal and justify a higher asking price.
Delivery went smoothly overall. The installers were friendly, though I realized partway through that I should lay down a drop cloth to protect the hallway runner from drips as the old units were carried out. They wore booties and were careful, but the drop cloth helped keep things tidy. The installers moved carefully and everything arrived without damage.
You might remember we were eager to get the old appliances out so we could replace a worn pan under the washer and remove leftover carpet scraps from under the dryer. We decided to install 3/4″ plywood — the same thickness as our hardwoods — to create a stronger, finished-looking base for the machines. We stained it to match the floors using one coat of Dark Walnut and sealed it with three coats of SafeCoat Acrylacq. We’d added plywood under our last washer and dryer after hearing it helps by reinforcing the subfloor.
As soon as the old appliances were carried downstairs, we made a quick floor swap. Removing the old carpeting took more effort than expected; John had to scrape up staples after pulling up the carpet and underlayment. We had pre-measured, stained, and sealed the plywood boards so they slid into place quickly when the new appliances arrived.
There’s a small gap near one section where the trim protruded, so we’ll cut and stain one more piece of plywood to make it flush. The blue trim in the niche needs priming and painting too, but that’s a project for another day. From a few feet back the plywood blends almost seamlessly with the hardwoods, and we’re pleased with how well the color matches. We also plan to install white folding doors in front of the machines, which should complement the subtle flooring change.
Because these machines sit on the second floor, we took leak protection seriously. We placed the washer in a plastic drip pan and upgraded the supply lines to reinforced stainless steel hoses rather than basic plastic ones. During installation a small leak appeared at a hose connection, but the installer tightened the fitting and resolved it immediately — a good reminder to always check your connections.
Now for how the machines perform: we love the dryer. It runs quieter than our old model, holds more items, and includes a heat sensor that prevents over-drying, so clothes don’t shrink like they used to. The end-of-cycle chime is pleasant and can be silenced if desired. The washer has a clear digital display that shows time remaining and settings, and its drum capacity is significantly larger than our previous washer.
Unfortunately, our new washer developed a loud grinding noise when the agitator moved during the first real wash cycle. The installers had only tested it briefly for leaks while setting it up, which is understandable, so the problem appeared after they left. We called the retailer and were initially told to contact the manufacturer, which quoted a seven-day wait for a service visit. After explaining the situation again, the retailer arranged to take the first machine back and deliver a replacement within a few days. We appreciated their willingness to step in — and we’re relieved to have a faster resolution than waiting a full week for a repair appointment.
So that’s the current status: we love the dryer and the new flooring underneath, and we’re hopeful the replacement washer will be problem-free. It’s a relief to have a one-year warranty on both units as a safety net. Have you experienced any unexpected appliance delivery or installation issues? We’re glad we had coverage, and we hope this hiccup is the end of our appliance drama for a while.
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Sidenote: We’d love to see you 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. It was surreal to spot our faces on a billboard while driving — exciting, unbelievable, and a little terrifying.