Washing Machine in a Bathroom?
Discussion
We have a small house with a big upstairs bathroom. The kitchen is small with only one place for a plumbed appliance. This is a washing machine.
Do the electrical regulations permit a washing machine in a bathroom? I've looked online and the advise is contradictory. Needs to,be 3m from the bath etc.
The idea is to have a dishwasher in the kitchen and shift all the laundry stuff upstairs. A great plan but permitted?
Do the electrical regulations permit a washing machine in a bathroom? I've looked online and the advise is contradictory. Needs to,be 3m from the bath etc.
The idea is to have a dishwasher in the kitchen and shift all the laundry stuff upstairs. A great plan but permitted?
We had a tumble dryer in our living room for nearly a year while we were refurbing. The comments we got were all positive and being able to put on dry clothes all toasty while watching tv was a bonus so I say go for it, live life on the edge and be different, stick two fingers up to convention.
Water and electricity don't mix. Socket outlets and washing machine etc. Are not ip rated and cannot be used in bathrooms. http://www.diydata.com/electrics/bathroom_electric...
My parents had a washing machine in the bathroom. Seeing as all the laundry was generated upstairs, and when clean was stored upstairs, it seemed very sensible - it saved carting it all downstairs and then back up again. One side of the room was fitted out much like a modern kitchen so it worked well.
speedyman said:
Water and electricity don't mix. Socket outlets and washing machine etc. Are not ip rated and cannot be used in bathrooms. http://www.diydata.com/electrics/bathroom_electric...
In the UK it's against regulations for health & safety reasons.On the continent on the other hand, I've seen washing machines installed in bathrooms, and they even have mains plug sockets and regular light switches on the walls as well. Not sure what the European rate is for being electrocuted in a bathroom, compared to the UK rate.
Either find an IP rated machine (probably not a goer), or put it in a cupboard is my understanding.
My parents have a shower room. A shower cubicle one end and opposite is a washing machine with a tumble drier sat on top of it. They're open to the room and all works fine, but I think it's the technicality of coming out of the bath/ shower with wet hands and then deciding to work the washing machine which is where the presumed risk is. If there was a barrier like a cupboard door, I believe all is sound. You can put a boiler in a bathroom if it's either in a cupboard or I think if the controls are behind a built in panel on the boiler.
My parents have a shower room. A shower cubicle one end and opposite is a washing machine with a tumble drier sat on top of it. They're open to the room and all works fine, but I think it's the technicality of coming out of the bath/ shower with wet hands and then deciding to work the washing machine which is where the presumed risk is. If there was a barrier like a cupboard door, I believe all is sound. You can put a boiler in a bathroom if it's either in a cupboard or I think if the controls are behind a built in panel on the boiler.
Just bought an old terrace which has a toilet room and a utility room where the old outhouse/ coalshed used to be. Now all accessed from kitchen. I've knocked it into one room, with intention of making it a big laundry room with shower and toilet. So topical for me. I've lived in places abroad with 240v electrics and washing machine in bathroom and it makes good sense. Also in Canada with 110v electric sockets in bathrooms.
Theoretically a kitchen is as wet an area as a bathroom provided it is outside of direct splash/ wet area. I think it is just less common for bathrooms to be big enough here for a washing machine.
Anyway, some more info here:
http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm...
http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-wir...
It all comes down to measurements and protection.
Theoretically a kitchen is as wet an area as a bathroom provided it is outside of direct splash/ wet area. I think it is just less common for bathrooms to be big enough here for a washing machine.
Anyway, some more info here:
http://www.theiet.org/forums/forum/messageview.cfm...
http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/electrical-wir...
It all comes down to measurements and protection.
Edited by Buffalo on Friday 18th December 02:10
Big Pants said:
Seems to work as the standard in Greece without too many issues. It's gas boilers they're crap at.
It seems one of the more logical things they do in Greece. Where do you take your grubby clothes off? In the bathroom. Straight in the washing machine then. You'll often find full voltage plug sockets within easy reach of taps etc.As for gas boilers, I guess that's why they use German equipment.
technodup said:
One of my friends had his washing machine in the bathroom. Asleep in the next room, he was lucky to survive the resulting fire.
Admittedly his electrics were last done in about 1930 but still. Not for me.
So did it being in the bathroom have anything to do with the fire...?Admittedly his electrics were last done in about 1930 but still. Not for me.
technodup said:
I don't think he ever got a definitive reason for the fire starting. I only saw the aftermath and it wasn't pretty. Plus I don't see how it's practical either.
Mine will be staying in the kitchen.
You want to wash dirty laundry in a food preparation area?! When you think about it that's just as bad!Mine will be staying in the kitchen.
Our washing machine was under a worktop and the socket was behind it. You couldn't have got water on the socket if you'd tried.
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff