This weekend I plan to move my washer and dryer to the other side of the wall that they currently back up to. The wall is a typical 5 year old wood 2x4 drywalled wall. The wall is shared between the current laundry/mudroom and the not-used-as-a-dining-room dining room. The washer hooks to a single lever valve in an Oatey plastic inset box. It drains into a drain in this same box. It plugs into an outlet also on this wall. The dryer is a gas dryer. The gas line comes up from the floor, close to the wall. The exhaust goes down into the floor, also close to the wall. The dryer plugs into the same outlet as the washer. The "dining" room is carpeted. I am looking for answers/suggestions/criticism to my plan:
- The electrical outlet, and the water supply/drain box can be moved... since the basement is right below.
- For the sake of re-sale & possible change of plans, I don't want to put holes in the wall-to-wall carpet (convince me otherwise?). So, I will add to the existing gas pipe, running it through the drywall wall. I will also run the existing exhaust duct through the drywall wall. Is there some kind of protective sheath that needs to go b/w the duct and drywall?
- The new arrangement would end up with the washer on the right, instead of the left (as it is now). The dryer door handle will now be close to a wall, and open towards the washer.... instead of the other way around. OR...In order to keep the original orientation, I could run the exhaust duct and gas over before coming through the drywall.
- I plan on putting down a piece of 3/4" plywood over the carpet, and use a catch try under the washer.
I'm trying to do this the easiest way possible, that avoids an ugly situation if I go to sell my house someday and someone says "What moron put a washing machine in the dining room and cut holes in the carpet. I'm not sure others will value my change as much as I will. Thanks for any help Buzz