How To Hook Up A Washer And Dryer Without The Hookups
Moving is hard work, especially if you move into a place where there are no washer and dryer hookups available. This is a common occurrence, however. The good news is you can create your own, saving you from spending hundreds of dollars to have ones installed.
There are several components you will need to create for this to be successful, including:
- Wiring for your plugs
- Dryer exhaust that comes out your window
- Connection for the kitchen faucet
- The cold water connector for your washer
This article will walk you through the process of creating your own washer and dryer hookups. That way, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to install hookups. Instead, you can create your own for under $50.
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Don’t Have Hookups? Don’t Worry!
It’s a typical scene: Someone moves into a new place, but they soon find out that there are no washer and dryer hookups available in the place they just moved into. So, what now? What do you do in this case? You could install hookups; however, this can cost you hundreds of dollars. Or, you could create your own for under $50.
Instructions To Set Up
- Locate the breaker box. This is typically in the house, either in the laundry room or the basement.
- Check the panel labeling. You will need 240 volts for this to work. The breaker box will let you know the amount of voltage running through the circuit. Choose two outlets that are on separate breakers that are touching each other inside of the breaker box.
- Measure the distances. Check the distance between the outlets and the back of your dryer. This measurement will determine the length that you cut your 2″ electrical cords.
- Label the breaker. Write “A” on the top left breaker and “B” on the next one down. The third one down will also be labeled “A,” and the fourth will be “B.” Do this for each side as long as a house outlet that has an A and B set up as this will give you 240 volts.
Wiring Your Plugs For Your Dryer
- Prepare the cord. Cut your insulation to expose ½ inch of the conductor on each white, green, and black wires. Twist the copper leads of the black and green wire together and insert them into the plug that has the gold screw.
- Insert the white plug. Take the white wire and put it into the plug’s side that has the silver screw in it.
- Repeat steps one and two. You will need to cut to fit each electrical cord. Repeat these steps until you’re finished wiring your dryer. Do not plug this in yet as it is not ready.
- Expose the electrical connections. In the back of the dryer, open the electrical panel to expose the electrical connections. Take the time to remove any other installed plugs. Get the ends of the two cords ready. They should come together to finish this connection.
- Make the connection. Take note of the black and green cord that lays on one side. The black and green from the other cord will fall to the other side. The white wire from both cords is connected, which gives you a double wire for the standard connection.
Safety Note: When you make the connection at the back of the dryer, you can then plug the other ends in. If you do this before, you will be electrocuted.
Washer Connection To Cold Water
Items that you will need include:
- 1 water hose that has an inner diameter of ½”. You can use a 50-foot hose that will be cut to length
- 1 water hose cap so you can plug the hot water connection into the back of your washer.
- Plug cap
Instructions
- Remove the hot water connection. You will need to remove the hot water connection off the back of your washer. Afterward, cap it with the plug cap.
- Secure the cold-water hose connection. Take the cold-water hose connected to the back of your washer and connect it to the male end of your ½” water hose. Make sure it’s secure to prevent any leaking.
- Connect the faucet. The end of the cold-water hose that you cut will then need to be connected to the faucet.
Contraption For Faucet
Materials you will need include:
- 2 PVC 90 that has one end already threaded
- PVC glue
- PVC tape for all threaded connections
- 1 plug
- 3 pipes about 2 inches each that are cut to fit, this connects the 90’s to the T
- 1 T
- 3 hose clamps
- 1 threaded nipple connecter (connects the water hose from the washer to your faucet)
- 1 2-inch piece of rubber hose to make the connection from the faucet to PVC. You should only need to buy 1 6-inch piece.
Instructions
- Connect the cut to fit pipe to the T. This pipe should be inserted into one of the sides of the T. Make sure the connection is tight so that no leaks happen.
- Plug the other side. Whichever side of the T you didn’t stick the pipe in will need to be capped off with a plug.
- Connect the 90 to the bottom of the T. The 90 with one side threaded should be connected to the bottom of your T.
- Clamp your cut to fit hose to the top of your connector. Use hose clamps to complete the connection, and make sure that it’s not leaking.
- Connect to the faucet. Use a non-stretchable rope and wrap it around your kitchen faucet and the T. This will help to keep the connection secure and in place.
Connector For The Washer Drain
Items you will need:
- 1 pipe cut to fit that is between 2 and 3 inches long
- Pipe tape
- 1 ½” coupler
- 1 ½ “threaded for ½” nipple connector
- 2 hose clamps
- PVC glue
Instructions
- Feed the drain into the coupler. The existing drain tube should be fed into the ½” coupler. The connection should be secured so that it doesn’t leak.
- Set the ½” drain pipe. Each end of the drainpipe will have to be connected to the ½” couplers.
- Connect the nipple connector. The other coupler that does not have the drain tube will need to be connected to the nipple connector. Clamp the hose and use the PVC glue for the coupler connections to ensure that it doesn’t leak.
Dryer Exhaust Placement
It’s a good idea to hook your dryer up to a vent for the exhaust. However, this is impossible when there are no exhaust hookups. Instead, you can simply use your window with two pieces of plexiglass. Then, use a small towel to fill the gaps, so no exhaust comes back into your home. This is a temporary arrangement. It only stays like this when you do laundry.
After you hook up the dryer, it is time to test it. If there is no heat out of the exhaust, it means that you didn’t find the right plug combinations for the 240 volts. Additionally, if you hear a clicking sound from the breaker, then you may have tripped it.
If you trip the breaker, try and look for a different plug to power your dryer. Or you can unplug any other devices that are on the same circuit.
Related Questions
How much does it cost to add washer and dryer hookups?
The price to add hookups will cost between $350 to $600. Sometimes this can cost up to $2,000 if there is a lot of electrical work and plumbing work that needs to be done.
Are all washer and dryer hookups the same?
All washers use water and electricity. All dryers use an exhaust tube that is around four inches wide. Therefore, most washer and dryer hookups are the same. If you’re using a gas dryer, the plug is a different size.
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Wrapping It Up
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to install hookups for your washer and dryer. With just a few materials from the hardware store, you can make the hookups yourself for around $50. You need to ensure the connections are all secure so that there is a low risk of issues when running your appliances. When you are venting the dryer, it’s crucial that you block the gap to keep the exhaust from re-entering your home. Other than that, you’ll be golden!
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Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
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