A look at what professional washing machine installation involves — and what to check before your new machine arrives.
Before the Machine Arrives
Check that your existing water supply (hot and/or cold inlet) and waste outlet are accessible and in working order. Measure the space — standard washing machines are 60cm wide, 85cm tall and 55–65cm deep. Check that the door clearance will allow the machine to be slid in and connected.
What Installation Involves
A professional installation includes connecting the inlet hose to the water supply, connecting the waste to the standpipe or sink waste, levelling the machine, removing the transit bolts (essential — missed transit bolts cause the machine to vibrate violently and can damage the drum), and running a short test cycle.
Transit Bolts — Don't Forget
Transit bolts are fitted inside the drum at the factory to protect the drum during transport. They must be removed before the machine is run. Your installation engineer will do this as standard, but if you're fitting the machine yourself, check the manual — the bolts are usually red or yellow and accessed from the back.
Integrated Machines
Integrated washing machines fit inside a kitchen cabinet with a door panel that matches the rest of the kitchen. Installation takes longer because the door hinge, door panel and cable routing all need to be fitted correctly. Expect to pay a little more for integrated appliance installation.
Do You Need a Plumber?
A standard washing machine installation to existing connections is not a plumbing job — a general handyman or appliance installer can do it. If new pipework is needed, or the existing supply is not accessible, a plumber will be needed for that part of the job.