Well, our new washer and dryer have finally arrived, and we promised to share how the installation went, what we did with the floors beneath them, and our impressions so far. Over the years we’ve experienced a few different laundry setups: in our first house we had front loaders with a countertop, in our second house we used stacked front loaders with cubbies beside them, and in this house we’d been using top loaders with cabinetry above.
Each arrangement had its upsides and trade-offs. The counter above our first home’s front loaders was convenient for folding and staging laundry, but it often became a catch-all for mail, grocery bags, and random clutter. It also required more bending. The stacked loaders with cubbies were great for organized storage and kept clutter out of sight, though loading and unloading still required some lifting. Top loaders have the benefit of easier loading height and the dryer top provides a usable surface for baskets or air-drying items. The cabinets above our current machines are my favorite for keeping supplies tucked away while remaining easily accessible.
*Note: We got a few questions on our previous post about why we don’t bring appliances with us when we move. That tends to be a regional thing—here, many sellers leave appliances and factor that into the home price. Saying “new, top-of-the-line appliances” can add appeal and value to a listing.
Delivery went well overall. The delivery team was friendly and careful, though I realized halfway through that I should lay down a drop cloth to protect the hallway runner because the old machines were dripping. They wore booties, but the drop cloth gave an extra layer of protection. It looked a little like a slip-and-slide situation, and I worried they might slip, but they moved slowly and everything arrived safely.
We could not wait to get the old appliances out so we could replace the washer pan and remove the remaining carpet scraps under the dryer. We opted to lay down 3/4″ plywood—matching the thickness of our hardwoods—to create a finished, reinforced base beneath the machines. We stained the plywood to match the existing floor (one coat of Dark Walnut) and sealed it with multiple coats of SafeCoat Acrylacq. We’d added plywood under our previous washer and dryer based on recommendations that reinforced flooring can be gentler on appliances and potentially extend their life.
As soon as the old units were carried out, we moved quickly to remove the old carpet and underlayment. The carpet had been secured with staples, so there was a bit of scraping involved to get the area ready. We had pre-measured, stained, and sealed the plywood panels ahead of time, so they slid into place easily once the machines were ready to be installed.
There’s a small gap left where the molding prevented a perfectly flush fit, so we’ll cut and finish one more narrow piece of plywood to complete the look. From a short distance it’s hard to tell the plywood isn’t the same as the rest of the hardwood—color match is very good. We plan to add white folding doors to enclose the nook, replacing the blue ones that were there originally, so the small transition will blend right in.
Because these machines sit on the second floor and we’re determined to avoid any water damage below, we installed the washer in a plastic catch basin and upgraded the water connections to reinforced steel lines rather than the basic plastic hoses. During initial hookup the installer noticed a small leak where the line attached; he tightened the fitting right away, so the takeaway here is to check those connections carefully during installation.
Now for how the units are performing. We really love the dryer so far: it’s noticeably quieter, has greater capacity, and includes a heat sensor that prevents over-drying, which has helped avoid shrinking items. It also has a pleasant chime when a cycle ends, which is a nicer alternative to the loud buzz on our old dryer. The digital displays on both the washer and dryer make it easy to see cycle times and settings at a glance.
The washer’s drum holds significantly more than our previous model, so large loads are much easier. Unfortunately, however, our excitement hit a snag: the washer turned out to be defective. During our first full wash cycle after the installers left, a loud grinding noise began whenever the agitator moved, which sounded like metal-on-metal. We contacted Home Depot and they directed us to the manufacturer’s service line, but the earliest tech appointment offered was a week away. Given that we expected a functioning machine upon delivery, we asked for faster service.
Home Depot was helpful after we explained the situation and the lengthy wait for a manufacturer tech. They agreed to take the defective unit back and deliver a replacement within a few days, which was a huge relief. I’m glad they worked with us—while manufacturers sometimes handle warranty service, retailers can often assist when a replacement is needed quickly.
So, for now we’re washerless but very happy with the dryer and the new, finished flooring beneath the machines. We’re hopeful the replacement washer arrives and performs properly. It’s ironic to say, but I’m actually looking forward to doing laundry in this house again.
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Sidenote: We’ll be at the Richmond Home & Garden Show this weekend, speaking at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, with a book signing after Saturday’s talk. The whole billboard surprise—seeing our faces huge on the highway—was equal parts exciting and terrifying.