[kansascgal]

When my son came for a visit from LA this week, he installed our washer and dryer in an upstairs walkin-in closet. Unfortunately, we did not think about the possibility that the floor was not strong enough to hold the washer and dryer. When we turned on the washer, the bederoom floor next to the converted closet shook quite abit. Now I am worried about using my appliances prior to finding out if there is enough support in the ceiling. My husband and I are both handicapped and with very little money and we need help (I was self-employed prior to getting handicapped and therefore could not file for unemployment, and have made no money since last July). Who would you suggest I call to see if we need to install 2x6's for the area? Also, if anyone knows of any volunteer services that could help us?

 

[dtsman]

Did the closet initially have washer/dryer hookups?

Or did you just convert and plumb a new area?

A washing machine only holds 12-15 gallons of water, which isn't to bad on an area framed for living. If the floor is moving, you will need eyes on site to determine why and how much. The current joist may just need bracing, but will not be able to determine that from here.


Bo

Remember,
If the women don't find you handsome,
they should at least find you handy.
(Red Green)

 

[BlueBSH]

maybe the torque of the washer is just to much? is it a high efficiency one that rotates horizontally or a upright one that rotates on a vertical axis? Maybe you need one of the newer washers that has vibration reduction built in? a washer isn't that much weight, but when an agitator in a upright one moves it can create a good bit of torque and push and pull floors which is normal... some front loading ones cause similar problems during high speed spin cycles and the load is spreading itself out to balance itself

 

[Gary in WA]

Is your son a licensed electrician to wire the new 220 volt electrical circuit or a licensed HVAC to vent the gas dryer? Both require a permit. Is there a pan with a drain under the washer or a floor drain- that your local Building Department may require? Give them a call for the requirements, then ask City services or similar for advice and help with your problem you set yourself up for. Check into auto-shut-off water supplies while calling around. Dryer hood exhaust termination requires 3' from any house opening. Your Homeowners Insurance carrier may not honor any future claim from unpermitted work. I wish you success, and to be safe.

Gary

 

[Ed in SoDak]

The subfloor and flooring may be partly to blame. Chances are the machine does not sit directly on a pair of joists. This may impart a lot of bounce if the feet are some distance from a flooring support or there is no supporting wall beneath. Closets may have thinner flooring or be lacking the final layer of wood if the contractor was scrimping on materials.

I did a washer/dryer install in our workroom that had minimal flooring. I had to run two 2x4s spanning the machine front and rear so the load was held by the 2x4s and distributed across three floor joists. A couple sheets of plywood nailed to the joists could do the same thing.

My washer is still jouncy right in front of it on spin, but not bad elsewhere. We often have to redistribute the clothes to make sure it's balanced. Washing heavy and light-weight things together or too many heavy items in a load can add to the unbalanced weight flying around. It may be you'll have to run smaller loads and reduce the water level to minimize the weight.

If you have open access to the floor joists beneath and there's no interfering plumbing or wiring to contend with, it might be a relatively simple matter to sister additional joists next to the ones beneath the washer. Even a 2x4 will help. Plywood to span the openings between the joists can be added below to provide flooring support, but it would need support and good contact to do any good. Perhaps just adding a few X braces beneath will help adjacent joists share the load.

Depending on what's beneath this closet, perhaps a floor jack or other means of support might be placed to help support the floor. Just tossing ideas out there that might be doable and affordable.

As to becoming disabled and unable to work, you may be able to apply for social security disability and take early retirement. There are several in my town, mostly they are veterans with injuries, but some were construction workers, etc, who are getting nearly full SS benefits and don't need to worry about it as much.

I'm self-employed myself, so like you I pay the full amount of SS tax on my earnings. If you qualify, you may as well try for it.

-Ed

 

[charlenej]

If you happen to be in Virginia or nearby Virginia...