Moving washing machine to stirage room. How difficult?

Hi all.

I live in a relatively small flat with an open plan kitchen, an integrated washing machine and no dishwasher (see pictures below).

Next to where the washing machine is (green square in the floor plan below) is a small storage room (see also picture - no longer carpeted but with this luxury vinyl click flooring. Also, no electric plugs or water/drain points).

I would like to move the washing machine to the storage room (blue square in the floor plan) so that I can put a dishwasher where the washing machine currently sits.

Looking at the floor plan I was thinking that the easiest solution would be to break through the bottom of the
storage room wall to where the bathtub sits (see picture) and connect a water line and drain line to the bathtub's water and drain lines. Of course, I would need an electrical plug, but I reckon that is an easier job by creating an extension from the current washing machine's plug (just behind it).

Does that seem like a feasible project and, if so, any thoughts on the potential cost (not including appliances)?

Thanks!

From a practical standpoint, it's very feasible.

However, in reality, you may have some issues!

The holes you need to make in the structure might need permission from the freeholder.

If you are in a tower block type flat, the structure you intend to drill through may be reinforced concrete (although unlikely!)- not simple to get through.

Is there any fire/smoke detection in the storage room?
Since Grenfell, landlords may be wary of where washer/driers are placed.

Is there any ventilation in the storage room?
You may end up with a very warm and damp room, that will cause no end of problems!

...and if the bath is oriented as in the plan, to reach the water supply and bath waste, you would probably have to remove the bath!

I'm sorry, I don't think this is as simple a solution as you may think

Thanks for the reply.

Hadn't thought about some of those.

On the structure thankfully (or at least thankfully for this specific purpose) all the walls in the flat are drywall so that shouldn't be too complicated. On the permission from the freeholder, I believe that would indeed be a requirement, although I get the sense that most of my neighbors have ignored the process (general view seems to be that they never say no, they just want to cash in). I guess if this were an issue come sell time, I could just revert to the original.

The smoke detector might be an issue (although I guess one could always have one placed there). There is a smoke detector in the kitchen, which is right next to the storage room but I guess it wouldn't work well if the door is closed.

On the humidity, hadn't thought about that one either. I guess we don't use the washing machine that much (once a week or so) and could always leave the door open while it dries, but that might not be a perfect solution. I remember when we bought this flat that some of the other flats that we saw had the washing machines in the storage room, but I didn't look for smoke detectors or ventilation.

And about removing the bath, I was aware of that but was hopeful that all that needed doing was to remove the plastic panel on the side of the bath and that would give enough access!

Sigh...maybe it's too much of a hassle so maybe need to keep on relying on elbow grease to clean the dishes...

Utility rooms require ventilation.
Access to waste pipes under the bath will be exceptionally difficult.
Probably easier to go through the wall under the bath, and then through the other wall under the kitchen sink.

chssvl said:

I guess if this were an issue come sell time, I could just revert to the original.

Click to expand...

Selling is irrelevant. The problem with making holes in walls is that they will no longer be fire and smoke resistant. Fires can happen at any time, they won't wait until you sell the place.
Whether those walls need to be fire resisting is impossible to know from the information provided.

None of the issues is insurmountable!
Drywall is good.
For the waste and water, I would consider taking it from the kitchen sink and through that stub wall, if there's space. It would be a lot easier than connecting to the bath.
Ideally a heat detector linked to the building system would probably be needed. At the very least, a battery powered heat detector would alert you if there was an issue.
Ventilation can always be added if condensation is a problem.

Just a little bit more thought is necessary, especially as Flameport states, regarding fire and smoke protection

chssvl said:

On the humidity, hadn't thought about that one either. I guess we don't use the washing machine that much (once a week or so) and could always leave the door open while it dries, but that might not be a perfect solution. I remember when we bought this flat that some of the other flats that we saw had the washing machines in the storage room, but I didn't look for smoke detectors or ventilation.

Click to expand...

A dehumidifier would quite effectively deal with the humidity and could probably share the same drain as the washer.

It may be possible to add ventilation to the storage area either by fan or door removal? Possibly door removal increases any fire risk? Depends on current door type

there are various ways to fill a breach in a wall to ensure fire stopping continues.

Thanks for the replies. I had thought about taking it from the kitchen sink. I guess the question is whether a washing machine drain hose has a maximum length and whether it bends too much - but might be easier.

Door removal is possible, but at a significant aesthetic cost so not really a feasible option.

On the fire issues, wouldn't know. The storage room is quite small (maybe 2 square meters) and one could say that technically part of the kitchen space but don't think that info adds any more clarity.

Maybe this is a bridge too far. We actually wouldn't use it much as we're only a couple. Actually in the previous (rented) place we had one and I think in three years we used it like five times. Then again, one does get lazier as one gets older...

We were actually thinking that it would increase the value of the flat, but I sense that it might actually do the opposite!

chssvl said:

I guess the question is whether a washing machine drain hose has a maximum length

Click to expand...

The maximum is usually the length of what's supplied with the machine.

Extension to the kitchen means installing hard plastic waste pipes and a suitable washing machine standpipe next to the machine. NOT trailing the hose through the walls to the existing waste pipes.
Same applies for the water supply and the electricity. Pipe for cold water taken to a point next to the machine with a suitable isolator and connector, and a permanently installed electrical outlet.