Raising White Goods

[securespark]

Hi folks. I have a washing machine and a tumble dryer that I would like to raise off the floor about 550mm, adjacent to each other, to make it more easy for me to access them.

I have looked on ebay at the ready made plinths which are too low, seen guys build them out of timber but I reckon I'd be better building mine out of breeze walls with slab tops, with three walls coming out of the existing wall (keyed in with a wallplate) and some kind of concrete or stone slab top.

The space underneath would be used for storing linen baskets.

I need to move all services too: power, H&C water (yes it's a hot and coldfill WM!) and waste.

Any hints guys please?

 

[noseall]

Yes it would be possible to build out of masonry but it would be bulky.

You may be better off forming the lid out of DIY floor beams i.e. half a dozen pcc lintels or similar with a screed finish. I suppose a 3' x 2' council slab will have a similar effect but I'm not sure if it would be man enough for the hammering from a spinning washing machine.

 

[JohnD]

What turned you against timber?

 

[securespark]

Je suis le roi de plus de genie!

No, I like things to be solid. I'm not sure a timber plinth would be.

 

[JohnD]

a frame made of floor joists with 18mm floor ply on top would be at least twice as strong as you need.

 

[JBR]

Yes, and timber has a bit of 'give', which would be a good idea for a vibrating washing machine.

 

[securespark]

Would blockwork be cheaper?

 

[noseall]

The denser heavier material will be much better suited in terms of vibration and noise. You are correct to think along these lines.

However the bulk will be a handful both during installation and aesthetically speaking.

Find a balance and you've cracked it.

 

[gregers]

go even furthur,
use some jablite ply over the top,skirt round the face.
hey presto floating plinth.

 

[securespark]

skirt round the face.

That sounds good!!

 

[gregers]

skirt round the face.

That sounds good!!

had to read that a couple of times.
dirty boy,but bloody funny

 

[longdogs]

Why does the title of this thread sound like an alternative, Alabama adoption agency?

 

[pred]

I've thought of doing this myself, raising it about 18", how high are you thinking of siting it??


Ignore that comment, I've just read the OP, 550mm/22"

 

[Brigadier]

Wouldn't it be easier to dig a hole in front of the appliances?

Seriously, I'd have thought timber - absorbs rather than transmits vibration; easier to handle and adjust in the build, if you are a bit infirm and a non-expert; and self-healing to a degree, compared to masonry (unless reinforced).
Plus, I reckon it'd be cheaper too - pcc lintels are surely more expensive than a 3 x 3 fence post?

 

[ladylola]

Ideas
https://www.google.co.uk/#q=raise+laundrette+machine+plinth&spell=1

Click on images.