Can the dryer be placed in a closet?
Most of us live in small apartments, where it is extremely difficult to find a place even for a washing machine, not to mention any other units. In this regard, many people wonder whether it is possible to install a dryer in a closet and thus save space in the apartment? Let's find out whether such installation is possible and how to carry it out.
Is it allowed to install a dryer like this?
Most current generation dryers operate on a condensing mechanism. In short, at some point the moisture from the condensed air is drained either into a special container or into a drain. Depending on the preferred option, the user either connects the dryer to the sewer or not.
Accordingly, theoretically, such a unit can be installed anywhere, most importantly not far from an outlet. But the specifics of each individual model dictate its own conditions. Units of more expensive brands do not make noise and emit almost no heat, but owners of cheaper analogues complain about the opposite situation.
Inexpensive dryers tend to generally increase indoor humidity and temperature and cause mold growth. If such a machine is installed in a small closet, and in order to save space, these are chosen, then it can harm both the things stored there and itself.
But humidity and mold are not the worst thing. The worst thing is when the unit gets very hot during operation and generates a lot of heat. Putting such a thing in a closed wooden cabinet is a direct road to the risk of fire.If there is no other way out, you will have to work on ventilation inside the niche.
A good solution is to install flow-through ventilation with a vent on one side and forced exhaust on the other. As a result, excess heat and moisture will be properly removed from the cabinet.
What is the best way to install the dryer?
There are several basic options for installing a dryer in a residential area. Below we will take a closer look at each of them and its features:
- on top of the washing machine in a column;
- on the side of the washing machine in a line;
- in a pre-prepared niche made of plasterboard slabs;
- under the sink in the bathroom or kitchen or under the countertop;
- on the balcony.
Installing a dryer on top of a washing machine will save valuable space in a small apartment. With proper installation, the drying and washing process will be as comfortable as possible. Theoretically, such an installation can be done in any room or utility room.
This type of installation is performed in two ways:
- using fasteners that allow you to place the dryer directly on top of the washing machine and are usually included with the dryer;
- using special rails that are attached to the wall above the washing machine and on which the dryer is installed.
As for the second option, it is used extremely rarely, since this design as a whole looks strange and requires additional work and equipment. But the first option is quite popular. It is implemented relatively simply.
- First, perfectly level the floor for the washing machine and install the unit in its final position.
- Install the dryer mount on the top panel of the washing machine.
- Place rubberized pads between the stand and the surface of the washing machine to reduce vibration levels.
- Secure the stand with bolts.
- Place the dryer on top so that its legs fit neatly into the recesses on the stand.
- Seal the external recesses on the mount with plugs.
This is the most difficult type of installation. Firstly, you cannot stack units on top of each other without any additional fastenings. Secondly, the dryer should always be located on top and be smaller in size than the washing machine. Only these conditions will provide the column with a sufficient level of stability.
When placing vertically, it makes sense to pay attention to the following features:
- do not mount the unit on a mount whose quality and reliability you are not sure of;
- if you are attaching wall slats, calculate the load in advance so that the structure does not collapse later;
- Under no circumstances should you use both units at the same time.
Attention! Like a washing machine, the dryer vibrates a lot when it's running, so don't place it close to a wall.
When installing in a column, it is best to use both units from the same manufacturer. Firstly, they will fit each other perfectly in size, and you can be completely sure that the fastenings are reliable and suitable. And secondly, such an ensemble will look quite harmonious in the interior and will not look like an absurd pile of household appliances. If it is not possible to purchase a drying machine from the same manufacturer, be guided by the recommendations given above when selecting a “foreign” unit (width, depth, other dimensions).
The simplest option for installing a dryer is to install it in a horizontal line next to the washing machine. Of course, this requires additional space, but in principle this is the only serious installation requirement. All you have to do is place the dryer and level its legs, and then connect it to the communications.
Being at an early stage of repair, you can try to build a niche from plasterboard for the subsequent installation of a dryer. Of course, this will require additional materials and costs for the work of the master, but in the future this interior solution will fully justify itself. If you have the means, desires and opportunity, you can choose this option.
Another solution for fairly large rooms is to install a dryer under the sink or countertop. Connecting equipment to communications will be reduced only to connecting to the electrical network and sewerage (and the latter is not necessary).
Important! When installing the dryer using any of the methods, the main thing to remember is that there are nearby grounded outlets, as well as, if necessary, sewer and ventilation outlets.
Thus, when installing a dryer, there are many nuances that need to be taken into account, but there are quite a lot of installation options, so choosing one according to your taste and based on other considerations is quite easy.
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