skip to main content

Getting washer out of flood tub

Annie Deighnaugh

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Last load, our washer sprung a leak from underneath. We don't know but suspect it's the drain bellows as that typically goes on these machines...Kenmore made by LG front loader.

Our laundry room is on the main floor so we have it sitting in a plastic flood tub, which is a good thing as it contained all the water.

However, moving the machine without damaging the flood tub is a bit of a nightmare. DH is an engineer and is devising ways of using boards and props and rocking the machine to lift it up and over the tub so we can gain access to the back.

I'm sure we're not the first people with this issue...is there an easy or standard way of getting the washer out of the tub? Like most, I'm sure, it's parked right next to the dryer so easy access is only on 2 sides of the washer.

Featured Answer

Alex Chicago

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

The issue may just be semantics. Rather than a hand truck, I'm thinking of the four-wheel appliance dolly. I would wheel this right up to the edge and [carefully] tip the washer onto it. It's padded to prevent any damage to the front of your machine, and is high enough that the washer will clear the lip of the tub. One person may need to stand on the back to prevent the back wheels from going into the air.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

georgect
7 years ago
I would either siphon the water out or get really absorbent towels and pull the water out.
sashanikki
7 years ago
Is the water out? If not a shop vac could get a lot out. We had to do that when our old water heater went. Maybe you could get the washer out with the help of an appliance dolly and a neighbor. I had to laugh at your description of your engineer husband. My husband is an engineer, too, and when we have these kind of problems he loves to try to come up with all kinds of solutions.
Related Discussions
can you use a enamel bath tub for carnivorous plants
Q
Comments (8)
Of course. The only hassle is the depth of the tub. What I would do is to get some compressed bales of sphagnum moss or peat moss. Sit them in the tub, put in a stopper, and fill with rain water to let the bales soak for a few days until they are soaking wet.Pull the bales out of the tub and let drain off. Then find a stopper that is a little smaller to fit in the drain hole so that the water will slowly leak out of the tub, provided you have the tub sitting on top of the ground. If you plan to bury the tub to its brim then lay in a foot or so of gravel before placing the tub into the hole. Once the smaller stopper is placed into the drain hole, take the bales of sphagnum and/or peat moss and pack them into the tub. I use my foot to pack down the moss. You should have enough packed in to fill up to about a foot from the top of the tub. Then have some more peat moss that has been soaked and drained handy to mix with river sand in equal portions. Pack this mix into the top 8 inches of the tub. The top of the substrate level should be about 3 inches below the top of the tub. Fill with rain water and then let the water level drop below the surface of the substrate before planting your bog plants. You can poke along the side of the tub down into the substrate to see where the top of the water level is. Once it hits the packed in bales refill water to the top of the substrate.
...See More
Remove garden tub - replace with washer & dryer?
Q
Comments (12)
I'm a Realtor with a bathroom that houses a washer and dryer. On a personal level I HATE IT! Its in our main/guest bathroom on the second floor and its often "occupied" when I need to get in there to do laundry. It's so annoying that we're planning to change the space by adding a new wall & new door so the bathroom has a separate entry. My thought would be to create a nice linen area or build in a secondary closet in the bathroom instead and leave the W/D where it is. On a professional level I've found it to be a real hit and miss with buyers. It can depend greatly on the size of the property and where else in the house the laundry could be. If it's a small home and the only other spot is the basement, garage or not at all, having it in the bathroom is a plus. However if the house already had a dedicated space for the laundry with easy access, the reaction is often not so great. In our situation, there was a dedicated laundry room by the kitchen on the main level. When the W/D were moved upstairs, the laundry room was converted into a walk in pantry. I love having the W/D upstairs as well as a walk in pantry, both were positive changes however I don't feel like the original homeowner took the remodel far enough. Instead of creating a space for them and making it look like that was where the machines went originally they just dumped then in a corner of the room and the job looks unfinished. This bathroom was originally a small 4th bedroom. By the time we finish with the update, the laundry will be in its own little "nook" (formally a bedroom closet) in a hallway and the bathroom will be it's own separate space.
...See More
Twin Tub Washer/Dryers
Q
Comments (1)
can't get the link to work!
...See More
Using old bath tub for a bed, drainage suggestions?
Q
Comments (3)
A 1-1/2" hole drains pretty fast. Flooding from rain shouldn't be much of a problem if you a using a well draining mix because the new highly aerated rain water pushes out old water before it has a chance to get anerobic. Think about hydroponics systems that constrantly recirculate oxygen rich water.
...See More
Alex Chicago
7 years ago
Agreed! Either siphon or suck up the water from the tub, then tilt forward and lean onto an appliance dolly. Both should be rentable from a hardware store if you don't own. Good luck! And lucky for you that you had the tub.
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
7 years ago
Yeah, the water in the tub is not the issue, it's getting the washer out of the drain tray without breaking the tray so we can work on it. The tray is only plastic....

I'm not sure how an appliance dolly would help as the sides of the tub are higher than the bottom of the washer and we need to get it up and over the lip of the tub.

Not my washer, but an idea of what I'm talking about.
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Good news! Washer is moved. Bad news...no obvious leaking part which we'd hoped for. Good news...repair man comes tomorrow.

This is how we did it. 2x4s and some rocking up onto long boards and sliding it out.
always1stepbehind
7 years ago
oh, excellent idea.
Annie Deighnaugh thanked always1stepbehind
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thank goodness when they installed the drain tub, they left enough room between the wall and the tub to put a 2x4 in there...if the tub was right up against the wall, we'd have a far harder go of it!

Something for those of you who are designing laundry rooms to consider...
Errant_gw
7 years ago
Ingenious :)
Annie Deighnaugh thanked Errant_gw
Annie Deighnaugh
Original Author
7 years ago
To finish the tale, NPF: no problem found. Apparently DH, as brilliant as he is with rigging, is not so good with not overloading the soap dispenser! He's of the generation that more is better when sometimes it's not. So after all this effort and $$ it comes down to what wifey said all along...don't use too much soap! :)

Related Stories

STORAGE 10 Ways to Get More Storage Out of Your Space

By Laura Gaskill

Just when you think you can’t possibly fit all your stuff, these storage ideas come to the rescue

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Get a Claw-Foot Tub for Your Bathroom

By Karen Egly-Thompson

Here’s what to know about buying vintage or new — and how to refurbish a classic

LAUNDRY ROOMS 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Laundry Room

By Laura Gaskill

Get your laundry area in shape to make washday more pleasant and convenient

BATHROOM WORKBOOK 12 Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less

By Shana Ecker Home Stylist

Your budget bathroom can have a high-end feel with the right tile, stone, vanity and accessories

REMODELING GUIDES Get What You Need From the House You Have

By SPACE Architects + Planners

6 ways to rethink your house and get that extra living space you need now

LAUNDRY ROOMS Get More From a Multipurpose Laundry Room

By Lisa Frederick

Laundry plus bill paying? Sign us up. Plus a potting area? We dig it. See how multiuse laundry rooms work harder and smarter for you

HOUSEKEEPING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage

By Laura Gaskill

Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting

COLOR Bathed in Color: How to Get White Right in the Bath

By Jennifer Ott Design

Get the pure look you want without going institutional by paying attention to tone, texture and sheen in an all-white bathroom

MOST POPULAR Budget Beach House: A Trailer Gets Ready for Summer Fun

By Becky Harris

Punchy prints and colors star in a creative approach to Jersey Shore living

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

Sponsored

28 Reviews

Franklin County's Preferred Custom Cabinetry & Design Studio

More Discussions

Stackable washer/dryer recs

9

Bosch ventless dryer questions…

2

Need help, washing machine problem

3

Laundry room ideas

1

GAS OR ELECTRIC DRYER

23