Washing machine upstairs, are there structural issues to be considered

[spg]

We are doing a complete refurb of a house built in 1960.
I really really want the washing machine+tumble drier upstairs. An unused space exists which fits the bill perfectly. It is on the side of the house, away from the bedrooms and not above the main living areas.

I am mindful of the noise, rattling effect when the machine is on spin.
And the potential for leak. And that it may not be very env friendly, using the tumble drier all the time.
Anything else I should be considering?

Anyone who has this arrangement, can you please help me with your wisdom here:

-Over time, will the vibrations of the machine compromise the structure of the property, the floor joists etc ?

-Do you need a structural engineer to assess the floorboards etc

Thank you

[specialsubject]

No garden? If you do have a garden, you only use drier on wet days .

[FoxesOnSocks]

If you think about people living in flats where it's a former house then they have washing machines upstairs, so to speak, so structurally there's no issue.

Only think to think about is noise (but stabalising it should reduce that, and you'd need to do that anyway) and as for leakage what's beneath it? No different that if your shower/bath/sink leaked really

[spg]

bsolutely, what if the shower/bath leaked, its no different.
We have a garden. But, seldom line dry except for the odd days when there is guaranteed sunshine.

I am just a bit concerned about If somehow, over the years, all the vibration of the spinning machine might compromise the wooden joists..!

Anyone who has done this, do you have any recommendations on the prep work required? I gather, talking to the bathroom fitter that it would ideally require a tray on which the machine sits.

Anyone used any particular product that you'd recommend?

Also, can something specific be done to sound proof

We are refurbing completely, i.e, flooring, re-plaster etc etc. So, it would be ideal to get some prep work done at the same time.

[PigletJohn]

what's the old floor made of?

If chipboard, take this opportunity to rip it out and replace with WBP ply.

Machines are best on a rigid, flat, level surface that is resistant to water damage.

[spg]

Thank you, PigletJohn for your reply. Not sure what the upstairs floor is made of ? It was built in 1960. We are going to visit the house with the builder later today, will find out.

Do you have any further thoughts on the pros and cons of the idea and
the right way to do it, assuming that they go upstairs.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

If you add a drip tray with an anti vibration mat - this will help enormously!

[whatsthecomingoverthehill]

Most ground floors are also wooden joists. I'd say the only extra risk is that if you do have a leak it might go through the floor and damage the room below.

[Whitecovers]

I've watched an episode of My Dream Home where they put the washer and drier upstairs in a room from the bedroom. They might have had two of each too if I remember correctly. Just wanted to say it seems like a brilliant idea!

[houseRefurb]

PigletJohn, it is standard floorboards on joists. Not chipboard.
OnePlanOnHouzz, thanks for your input. Will look into it. Do you think a plinth will do the job, something like this
www.miele.co.uk/domestic/installation-accessories-1906.htm?mat=09322300&name=WTS_510
Thanks

[LowDudgeon]

Victorian house here (1890) & I have my w/m in an outside corner of the upstairs rear extension - it would have been a bedroom originally but is now a bathroom.

It has the ropy old floorboards (very gappy). I used to have the w/m standing on a very thick piece of plywood on top of the boards, but have since had the whole floor covered with sheets of slightly thinner ply, & it's ok - it's inside a built-in cupboard with a threshold batten that stops it wandering around (the floor slopes down towards the centre of the room)

In previous years when w/ms were hot-fill we once had a massive flood when the connection burst overnight (the rubber washer perished) & brought down the kitchen ceiling below; but that was nearly 20 years ago & they're all cold-fill only now.

I love having it upstairs. The dryer's there too, & I can whip dry stuff out & on to a nice clean double bed for folding. The only drawback is that in the summer, when I put stuff on the line, I have to lug a heavy basket of wet stuff down the stairs.

[LowDudgeon]

Oh, I got those anti-vibration feet for mine instead of a mat.

[LowDudgeon]

Just looked at your Miele plinth, OP - £330???

I don't think you need one of those, honest

[Fluffycloudland77]

I would imagine you've done it by now but I'd just put sound dampening underlay down.

A spin dryers what you need if the bills worry you, 15 minutes will get a pint or more water out & then you can tumble them in no time.