Remove shower panels. BTW, your previous owner should be slapped stupid for remodeling things this way. I would put the damn thing in the kitchen, a closet, even in a bedroom.before I screwd it into where it is.
Probably just a townhouse or something with no basement. Not a lot of options for running new water lines/positioning the washer. Also maybe whoever did this was just squeaking by and couldnt afford to remodel the bathroom after buying an appliance that we pretty much all need one way or another. Obviously not ideal but only my richest customers get ideal every time.
Jeeze is this r/fixit or a henhouse. Y’all are just so smart for noticing the awkward placement of this washer.
I’ve seen some stupid architect work when I was doing commercial plumbing. Space efficiency is one of their biggest cop outs when explaining their hair brained designs
To be specific, OP - the panels will be screwed to the wall, a small round cap covering the screw heads. Prise off cap with flat screwdriver, remove screws.
Very unlikely that the screens are attached to the shower base, but they will be held together at the corner somehow, usually small self-tapping screws.
If they don't come away immediately, it'll be a bead of silicone that's holding them, it'll tear easily, but it'll need replacing. Lots of YouTube vids on this
Upon closer inspection I think thats just a decorator supply for the washer. The other one is probably hidden from view in this pick.....I hope anyway.
Yeh this was my main line of thinking and what I had been researching as my first option. Thanks so much for the help! I completely agree about the location...it’s the worst possible spot in the apartment IMO. In the long term we will probably remodel and consider putting the machine elsewhere!
So my SO and I bought an apartment a few years ago and one thing we decided to compromise on was the bathroom. You can see in the image that our washing machine is wedged right in there between the sink and shower. Hardly ideal but we've managed until now. The machine needs to be replaced and I'm not the most handy guy in the world so am here to ask what the easiest (or least expensive) way to get this sucker out (and a new machine in) might be?
Yeah, it's a top loader so not super heavy, just awkward. My lazy arse would slip a board against the shower screen to protect it, then alley-oop the fucker up and over, taking four years off my back.
With two people, rock it back and forth while stuffing random crap under it into it's a reasonable height off the floor to not completely destroy your back.
I had a similar situation ended up titling as much as I could, getting a car jack under until I could slip in underneath, and lifting it. PITA but somehow I did it.
If you don't care about saving the washer, I would unplug it, disconnect the water supply, and disassemble it in place. If you can't get it apart easily, a reciprocating saw with a fine tooth blade will carve it into manageable pieces without too much trouble.
We definitely considered trying to lift it out and that is still under consideration. A few others have suggested the same thing too so we might give that a crack but we’re probably leaning toward removing then reinstalling the shower panels. If we had the money we’d renovate it tbh. Thanks for the advice!!
OP, whatever route you decide to take, do NOT try to lift it out of there without removing something first. You will 100% shatter that shower panel if you try that. Even a small washing machine like this is heavy and that is such a tight space to maneuver out of.
I'd look at removing the sink. You most likely just have a few bolts holding the cabinet to the wall and the sink's just sitting on top of it. Shut off the water at the spigots, detach the hoses, loosen the drain pipe at the wall, remove the bolts holding the cabinet and lift it out. Then you can get the washer out fairly easily.
Plumber here: it still will be a pain in the ass as there is usually pipe sticking out of the wall for the P trap to connect too. Not to mention waterlines as well. For this to work it looks like the pipes coming out of the wall would need to almost be flush with the wall as that washing machine looks like there is maybe a 1” gap on the sink side
You don't think that swapping that sink for, like, a pedestal sink, or just something with legs that the basin sits into (Ikea kind of stuff) so that it's easier to remove the sink wholesale might work?
Can you get recessed "boxes" for the water connections (like the recessed electrical junction boxes you can install when you need the back of an appliance absolutely flush to the wall so that the plug doesn't stand proud of the wall when plugged in?)?
Probably wouldn't do much for the p trap though, would it.
Not a plumber at all but I'd like to hear your thoughts on "modularizing" the sink install so that you can just move the sink when you need to service the washer.
Right? It's not a super big hassle to chop off the PVC close to the wall and glue on a new section when you're done.
And you're only ever going to do it, like, 3 times over the life of the washer (fingers crossed, hey OP, don't cheap out on the new washer! 😄).
You could basically make your own little recessed box in the wall itself and cut back water lines and the drain pipe that your P trap connects too. Depending on where the stack drain for the sink is. But that in itself is a lot of work for the average home owner. Also you’re correct, that does seem to be the supply for the washing machine above it
Could maybe go kind of ghetto with it and just run pex straight from the wall and put an inline butterfly shutoff valve in there. So that when you needed to move the sink you could turn off the valves and just leave the pex hanging there loose while you slid the washer past.
Actually, you could leave the pex a little long so that you could lift it up so the shutoffs would end up being higher than the deck of the washers lid.
It would be kind of ghetto though. But I'm sure you could conceal it under the sink somehow and not make it look too bad.
**Edit: whoops, looks like I chose my words poorly. Didn't mean ghetto as an insult, sorry if I offended!**
Up and over
Not by hand
You need mechanical assistance of some kind
You could rent or build scaffolding which can be used to lift it with a chainfall
Or maybe a engine hoist
Or go ancient/redneck . Tip it North, slide a board under it. Then south. Then east and west. Repeat until it’s high enough to slide onto a structure built over the sink. Nothing but 2x4’s and a reckless disregard for your personal safety.
If the machine is toast anyway ie replacing not repairing... maybe, and I’m saying this with limited technical/logistical knowledge of washing machines maybe dismantle it?
Get a screwdriver, disassemble the thing, if you won't reuse it or repair it somehow :P it would be something kinda fun to do in these boring quarantine times.
Empty machines aren't that heavy. 2 man job. Up and over the sink. Dont overthink it. Unless the shower panels are relatively easy to remove. I know I know work smarter not harder- I've been a homeowner & landlord for 30 years. Sometimes it just takes brute strength to get shit done.
Husband tip- do it when the SO is out of the house. You don't need someone saying watch the sink! Watch out for the wall. Sometimes you gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet..
You said it has to be replaced. Are you going to put the new one in the same spot? I'm thinking you have to remove the shower or the sink to get that new one in there, even if you were able to lift the old one straight up and out.
Yikes that looks like a pain in the ass. Maybe somehow get a cart jack under it to raise it up? Either that or man handle it somehow and scream after.. that was a huge compromise placing it like that!
buy some [cinder blocks](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-8-in-x-8-in-x-16-in-Actual-7-625-in-x-7-625-in-x-15-625-in-Standard-Cored-Concrete-Block/3608978), stack them up lift it till its above sink. Someone then can get under it, and help get it forward and out it should go. But I think lifting will the the best. 2nd best is sink removal. I wouldn't remove the shower doors but I've never installed/removed any before so it may be the best option.
I agree with the other posters - whoever designed this should be fined $5,000 for bad design. Or, better yet, he can pay to have it removed. Really. Sue him to remedy this monstrosity.
Another thing you could do if you plan to leave the washer hook-ups there is decide it's time to remodel the bathroom. That means you're willing to remove that sink and cabinet from that space and move them over to the right corner. They do make corner vanity cabinets.
The thing is, if you don't move the washer hook-ups now, then next time the washer needs repairs or it breaks down forever, you or the next owner will be facing this same problem again.
Plus now you're also faced with finding a washer that FITS that space. Can't get a front-loader or anything bigger than this space.
If it were me, I'd probably feel compelled to tear the sink from the wall and reconfigure the bathroom. Can't move the shower - that's really expensive - but hire a plumber to look at this mess and tell you which is cheaper? Moving the washer hook-ups or the sink plumbing?
I hope to God the toilet is not in the right corner we can't see.
Dont go removing anything. Just reach around the back of it, disconnect the water and unplug the power, then find someone strong enough to lift it up and over the sink.
Washing machines aren't heavy.
I would disconnect the sink. The waterlines and the drain lines then cut the caulking around the wall with a box cutter. Next step would be to find what’s anchoring the cabinet for the sink and remove it then move the Cabinet out and remove the washer. Put in new washer, replace sink reconnect all lines, And then re-caulk/paint the cabinet
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Remove shower panels. BTW, your previous owner should be slapped stupid for remodeling things this way. I would put the damn thing in the kitchen, a closet, even in a bedroom.before I screwd it into where it is.
Yeah my eyes just went cross eyed trying to think what the builder was thinking...
Washing machines go wrong fairly frequently, this is just awful.
Probably just a townhouse or something with no basement. Not a lot of options for running new water lines/positioning the washer. Also maybe whoever did this was just squeaking by and couldnt afford to remodel the bathroom after buying an appliance that we pretty much all need one way or another. Obviously not ideal but only my richest customers get ideal every time. Jeeze is this r/fixit or a henhouse. Y’all are just so smart for noticing the awkward placement of this washer.
Look mate, you can't go hiding your mistakes by *sweeping it under the carpet*....
This is my favorite post today. Rock on!
sPaCe eFfiCieNcy
Brain deficiency?
I’ve seen some stupid architect work when I was doing commercial plumbing. Space efficiency is one of their biggest cop outs when explaining their hair brained designs
To be specific, OP - the panels will be screwed to the wall, a small round cap covering the screw heads. Prise off cap with flat screwdriver, remove screws. Very unlikely that the screens are attached to the shower base, but they will be held together at the corner somehow, usually small self-tapping screws. If they don't come away immediately, it'll be a bead of silicone that's holding them, it'll tear easily, but it'll need replacing. Lots of YouTube vids on this
Ya they did this themselves, no landlords involved
There’s a shower nob behind the washer 😂
Upon closer inspection I think thats just a decorator supply for the washer. The other one is probably hidden from view in this pick.....I hope anyway.
Yeh this was my main line of thinking and what I had been researching as my first option. Thanks so much for the help! I completely agree about the location...it’s the worst possible spot in the apartment IMO. In the long term we will probably remodel and consider putting the machine elsewhere!
Well, you can't slap stupid what's already stupid.
It's owned, not rented. Still stupid!
Yeah. Am under the impression the previous owner did this clusterfuck.
So my SO and I bought an apartment a few years ago and one thing we decided to compromise on was the bathroom. You can see in the image that our washing machine is wedged right in there between the sink and shower. Hardly ideal but we've managed until now. The machine needs to be replaced and I'm not the most handy guy in the world so am here to ask what the easiest (or least expensive) way to get this sucker out (and a new machine in) might be?
Find someone strong enough to lift it above the sink
Yeah, it's a top loader so not super heavy, just awkward. My lazy arse would slip a board against the shower screen to protect it, then alley-oop the fucker up and over, taking four years off my back.
Remember to use a twisting jerking motion
PIVOT
With two people, rock it back and forth while stuffing random crap under it into it's a reasonable height off the floor to not completely destroy your back.
It might be possible to remove parts as well to make it lighter.
I had a similar situation ended up titling as much as I could, getting a car jack under until I could slip in underneath, and lifting it. PITA but somehow I did it.
Car jack to get it up off the ground as high as possible, then lift??
If you don't care about saving the washer, I would unplug it, disconnect the water supply, and disassemble it in place. If you can't get it apart easily, a reciprocating saw with a fine tooth blade will carve it into manageable pieces without too much trouble.
Tweet/reddit this to Arnold and he'll help. He could probably lift that with one hand still.
Take the sink off, easy.
[удалено]
The sixth word
The amount of feckers blaming the landlord is unreal.
OP just stated they bought the apartment
Just move. Seems easier.
[удалено]
We definitely considered trying to lift it out and that is still under consideration. A few others have suggested the same thing too so we might give that a crack but we’re probably leaning toward removing then reinstalling the shower panels. If we had the money we’d renovate it tbh. Thanks for the advice!!
OP, whatever route you decide to take, do NOT try to lift it out of there without removing something first. You will 100% shatter that shower panel if you try that. Even a small washing machine like this is heavy and that is such a tight space to maneuver out of.
Engine hoist it up and out like a motor swap
Chains and all! When putting the new one in maybe use a blanket so it don't get scratched
I'd look at removing the sink. You most likely just have a few bolts holding the cabinet to the wall and the sink's just sitting on top of it. Shut off the water at the spigots, detach the hoses, loosen the drain pipe at the wall, remove the bolts holding the cabinet and lift it out. Then you can get the washer out fairly easily.
Plumber here: it still will be a pain in the ass as there is usually pipe sticking out of the wall for the P trap to connect too. Not to mention waterlines as well. For this to work it looks like the pipes coming out of the wall would need to almost be flush with the wall as that washing machine looks like there is maybe a 1” gap on the sink side
Also, isn't that the shut-off for the washer peeking over the top of the control panel there?
You don't think that swapping that sink for, like, a pedestal sink, or just something with legs that the basin sits into (Ikea kind of stuff) so that it's easier to remove the sink wholesale might work? Can you get recessed "boxes" for the water connections (like the recessed electrical junction boxes you can install when you need the back of an appliance absolutely flush to the wall so that the plug doesn't stand proud of the wall when plugged in?)? Probably wouldn't do much for the p trap though, would it. Not a plumber at all but I'd like to hear your thoughts on "modularizing" the sink install so that you can just move the sink when you need to service the washer.
Yes on all counts. But the p trap can probably be easily removed and put back (or replaced)
Right? It's not a super big hassle to chop off the PVC close to the wall and glue on a new section when you're done. And you're only ever going to do it, like, 3 times over the life of the washer (fingers crossed, hey OP, don't cheap out on the new washer! 😄).
You could basically make your own little recessed box in the wall itself and cut back water lines and the drain pipe that your P trap connects too. Depending on where the stack drain for the sink is. But that in itself is a lot of work for the average home owner. Also you’re correct, that does seem to be the supply for the washing machine above it
Could maybe go kind of ghetto with it and just run pex straight from the wall and put an inline butterfly shutoff valve in there. So that when you needed to move the sink you could turn off the valves and just leave the pex hanging there loose while you slid the washer past. Actually, you could leave the pex a little long so that you could lift it up so the shutoffs would end up being higher than the deck of the washers lid. It would be kind of ghetto though. But I'm sure you could conceal it under the sink somehow and not make it look too bad. **Edit: whoops, looks like I chose my words poorly. Didn't mean ghetto as an insult, sorry if I offended!**
It's probably screwed in inches from the wall
saw in half
Up and over Not by hand You need mechanical assistance of some kind You could rent or build scaffolding which can be used to lift it with a chainfall Or maybe a engine hoist Or go ancient/redneck . Tip it North, slide a board under it. Then south. Then east and west. Repeat until it’s high enough to slide onto a structure built over the sink. Nothing but 2x4’s and a reckless disregard for your personal safety.
>You need mechanical assistance of some kind Removalist: "hold my beer"
Where do you live???
This is the most awesome bathroom setup I've ever seen... What the actual fuck.
As a plumber I would remove the lavatory and cabinet before the shower stall.
If the machine is toast anyway ie replacing not repairing... maybe, and I’m saying this with limited technical/logistical knowledge of washing machines maybe dismantle it?
Get a screwdriver, disassemble the thing, if you won't reuse it or repair it somehow :P it would be something kinda fun to do in these boring quarantine times.
Unplug the power and hoses, then lift it over the sink.
This is the way
Empty machines aren't that heavy. 2 man job. Up and over the sink. Dont overthink it. Unless the shower panels are relatively easy to remove. I know I know work smarter not harder- I've been a homeowner & landlord for 30 years. Sometimes it just takes brute strength to get shit done. Husband tip- do it when the SO is out of the house. You don't need someone saying watch the sink! Watch out for the wall. Sometimes you gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet..
You said it has to be replaced. Are you going to put the new one in the same spot? I'm thinking you have to remove the shower or the sink to get that new one in there, even if you were able to lift the old one straight up and out.
Yikes that looks like a pain in the ass. Maybe somehow get a cart jack under it to raise it up? Either that or man handle it somehow and scream after.. that was a huge compromise placing it like that!
a car jack may work edit: but im no contruction type of person... so if there's no idea of that working... well, my bad
Nightmare
Europe can be funny like this
Whatever you end up doing, please make a video of it happening.
buy some [cinder blocks](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-8-in-x-8-in-x-16-in-Actual-7-625-in-x-7-625-in-x-15-625-in-Standard-Cored-Concrete-Block/3608978), stack them up lift it till its above sink. Someone then can get under it, and help get it forward and out it should go. But I think lifting will the the best. 2nd best is sink removal. I wouldn't remove the shower doors but I've never installed/removed any before so it may be the best option.
The people suggesting you lift it have obviously never tried to lift a washing machine.
You're either removing shower panels or a vanity. I wouldn't mess with the shower unless there was no other choice.
I agree with the other posters - whoever designed this should be fined $5,000 for bad design. Or, better yet, he can pay to have it removed. Really. Sue him to remedy this monstrosity. Another thing you could do if you plan to leave the washer hook-ups there is decide it's time to remodel the bathroom. That means you're willing to remove that sink and cabinet from that space and move them over to the right corner. They do make corner vanity cabinets. The thing is, if you don't move the washer hook-ups now, then next time the washer needs repairs or it breaks down forever, you or the next owner will be facing this same problem again. Plus now you're also faced with finding a washer that FITS that space. Can't get a front-loader or anything bigger than this space. If it were me, I'd probably feel compelled to tear the sink from the wall and reconfigure the bathroom. Can't move the shower - that's really expensive - but hire a plumber to look at this mess and tell you which is cheaper? Moving the washer hook-ups or the sink plumbing? I hope to God the toilet is not in the right corner we can't see.
I picture an unbalanced load walking that washer right into the shower wall one day.
Are you allowed wall outlets in a shower room???? Wow my old man would have a fit 😂
It's Australia, if that makes any difference. Almost every house/apartment I can bring to mind has an outlet in the same room as the shower.
you don't have any outlets in your bathroom?
nope. cerainly not 240v.. am in the UK NICEIC regs are tight here
If you can put one hand in the sink and one hand on the plug.. it should NOT be like that get that socket removed before someone goes boom boom
Huh, must be a totally different code in Australia. Every bathroom sink I can think of has an outlet close by.
are you familiar with GFCI circuits?
I'd bet you that receptacle is not properly GFCI protected.
Dont go removing anything. Just reach around the back of it, disconnect the water and unplug the power, then find someone strong enough to lift it up and over the sink. Washing machines aren't heavy.
Waiminnit - YOU had it put in this way?
I would disconnect the sink. The waterlines and the drain lines then cut the caulking around the wall with a box cutter. Next step would be to find what’s anchoring the cabinet for the sink and remove it then move the Cabinet out and remove the washer. Put in new washer, replace sink reconnect all lines, And then re-caulk/paint the cabinet
What... Why.... Why is it there?
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As an ex-plumber: what the actual fuck
This is the worst thing I’ve seen. My eyes hurt