owner wants washer and dryer in unit

One of our owners has requested permission to place a washer and dryer in her unit. We have denied her request due to noise issue, venting issue, and older plumbing issue. She stated her back problem as the reason for wanting to place a washer and dryer in her unit. Our President has offered to help her with her washing. She refused the help. Some of our other owners have people come and do their wash for them.
It wasn't mentioned at the meeting when the decision to deny the request was made, but this owners unit is directly over the garage door and trash cans. If water leaked from her unit to the garage, it could affect the working of the garage door.

We have a laundry room with four washer and four dryers. There is no charge to use the machines other that the association fee that each member pays. Thus we don't have to feed the machine quarters.
We each sign up for time of 1 and 1/2 hr and no one is to use our time unless we give the other person permission to use our time. This arrangement usually works out fine. They are very few problems.

We are a 43 unit condominium in NE. Our building os over 30 years old.

I do know that some buildings have a washer and dryer in each unit. But the plumbing would have benn in place to handle this when the building was built.

Have any of you had experience with washers and dryers in a unit?

I too lived in a 2nd floor apartment. Had to carry my laundry down the stairs around a unit and a walk way...Then hope it was not being used when I got there...The good part was it was attached to the pool so could go swimming, order pizza, and do laundry in the summer.

Who is going to pay for this? Not the HOA? I say if they want this then they must pay for the modifications to the plumbing and wiring required. The whole should not pay for one individual's issue. The budget is set up to represent the whole. They would need to provide insurance if damages occurred as well and discuss it with their insurer.

I will suggest this. They do make a small portable washer machines that can do small loads and require no lines. They can hook up to a kitchen sink. The smaller ones are for campers and such. We used one as a kid that we wheeled out and hooked to our sink that was regular size. It was no louder than a dishwasher but did shake alot in spin cycle. This may work for them but still can leak over. A dryer version may or may not exist. Don't know. This could be a consideration as long as it was not permanent.

The portable ones don't need it. The vent your talking about is part of the plumbing system already or could be tied in. There are vents for toilets and sink drains. It would be part of the plumbing modification if added. Which may need a separate new vent or tied into the nearby sink vents. Would not want to tie it to a toilet vent of course. The cost of which the owner would have to pay.

I was under the impression under newer code required separate vents. I live in an older home that has one vent for kitchen and laundry room. Running a wash causes the kitchen sink to gurgle. A plumber I had out had told me newer homEs require additional vents, but then again the souTheast may have different codes. Last codes I was familiar with were from 2001 and things may have changed since then

Bonnie

There are portable, ventless washer/dryer combos. They use 120V wall plug, can be hooked up to a sink for water supply and also discharge the water into the sink.

This is the only type I would consider allowing and I would want the association's attorney to draw up a letter releasing the association from all responsibility.

Search on LG Ventless Washer-Dryer Combo.

Of course were it me, I might not even request permission as it is simply another household appliance not requiring any electrical, nor plumbing, nor venting work to be done.

Hope this helps.

Who says the dishwashers aren't causing leaks or the additional load won't effect the pipes? The end result is that this person can install a portable unit or pay to install a permanent one with agreed upon risks and implications. Let's not over complicate the issue. Some places just can't support all equipment. I'd love to put a washer and dryer on my second floor of my home. It just not got the piping to support it either.

We are on the same page John...If they want to reinvent the wheel and do all the modifications to install one then booey on them... when are we going to Mexico? LOL... I need a drink...

"google" PLUMBING SYSTEM SUDS PRESSURE ZONE

? would the dryer require an exhaust vent ?

? is the electrical system equiped for a (potable) washer ?

are the floor joists rated 40+ lb/ft where the washer is to be installed ?

will the CODE RQUIRED drip pan be installed ? with a portable ?

portables should only be used WHILE ACTUALLY ATTENDED

? enforcement ?

washer/dryer in unit ~ imo: no way, no how

SinC was posting spam. No need to comment further on a year old post.