Washing Machine Meets Pre-war Building

anonymous · August 2007

I live in a pre-war building and am interested in getting a washing machine, but am unsure if the old pipes can handle it. A friend of mine has seen an ad in some magazine for Bosch washing machines which boasts that Bosch's machines are perfectly equipped for the pipes in pre-war buildings in NYC (something like that). She couldn't remember where she saw the ad or whether there was a particular model associated with the ad. Anyone out there seen the ad or have any experience with Bosch in a pre-war building? Also, in general, should one consider when installing a washing machine in a pre-war building? Any particular brands/models to stay away from?

Thanks!

anonymous · August 2007

I would post this on the brownstoner.com forum. You may get more response.

bropook · August 2007

I'm also curious: is a washing machine worse for old pipes than a dishwasher?

anonymous · August 2007

Subject: washing machines

old washing machines use alot of water and hence overload the pipes. The front loading washers ( Quietline, Haier etc.) are both energy efficient and use less water and dont overload the drain pipes. I hope that will help.

alex · August 2007

I'm currently in the market for a small washing machine to put in my kitchen. I'd like to connect it to my sink if possible. Does anyone have any recommendations for any particular brands/models?

mg · August 2007

I really like mine:
http://www.epinions.com/Haier_Portable_Washing_Machine_XQBM22_C_Washing_Machines

It's tiny and only washes 4.9 lbs of clothes at once, but it's reasonably quiet and gets clothes clean. It can handle a couple of pairs of pants and a few shirts at a time, but not, say, sheets or bath towels.

It does need a little babysitting on the spin cycle -- you can't just turn it on and forget about it -- but it's better than going to the laundromat.

Most importantly, it fits in the hall closet and isn't too heavy to carry around the apartment.

We hook it up to the bathroom sink and let it drain into the bathtub. It drains water out of the machine faster than our kitchen sink will drain, but maybe that's just our bad plumbing. The machine's tub looks like it holds about five gallons, and it fills and empties three times over the course of a normal cycle.

As far as I know, it's had no effect on the pipes or drains, and our downstairs neighbors said they can't hear it running.

armchair_warrior · August 2007

if you guys are going to sneak it in. use big box from other products, don't let them know its a washing machine.

alex · August 2007

mg: Thanks for the tip. I've been reading about the Haier machines online and I've been seeing mixed reviews. I'm thinking about getting the 11 lbs front loading model because it uses much less water than the top loading one and will have a better chance of connecting to my sink.

You say it needs some babysitting during the spin cycle. What do you have to do to it?

mg · August 2007

Sometimes it needs rebalancing. The wash tub's so small that if one heavy piece of clothing (say, jeans) winds up off to the side, it throws off the balance and needs attention*.

It will shut itself off and stop spinning if it's very unbalanced, so no real worries about it marching off, dragging the kitchen faucet along behind it. It's more "this thing's making noise and beating itself up and annoying the neighbors" than "omg it's going to blow!"

We did sneak ours in, btw. Our lease doesn't completely prohibit washing machines, unless in the landlord's view, they'll overload the electrical circuits, but I didn't feel like asking and getting told no.

* by which I mean, you have to reach in and sling the wet clothes around, not shake the machine or anything.

anonymous · August 2007

I hate washing machines in old buildings. And dishwashers. One of my neighbors has one of these devices and once or twice a week, excess soapy water backs up in MY kitchen sink, often overflowing. As a result, I can no longer open my silverware drawer, and the linoleum has detached from my kitchen floor. Schlep your laundry like everyone else!

anonymous · September 2007

Subject: Washer

I like my LG "senseclean" combination washer/dryer. It's energy efficient, doesn't need a lot of water, doesn't need venting, and cleans clothes well. LG is more expensive than Haier (probably less expensive than Bosch), but it is a good product. One caveat, since combination washer/dryers like this use condensation to dry the clothes, the drying cycle can last several hours.

Washing Machine Meets Pre-war Building

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