Asked on May 24, 2015

Hot water heater too close to washer

Sharon Crosby
by Sharon Crosby
My sister recently bought a house, the previous owner (someone who was flipping the property) put in a brand new hot water heater in the laundry room in the same location as the old one. But the way it is setup the only way she can get a dryer in is to put the washer right next to the water heater so it presses right up against the gas line connector. (Even when this washer is leveled properly it shakes a lot, which makes it even worse.)
We are trying to find a way to deal with this.
  19 answers
  • Rotate the water heater some & go with a more appropriately sized gas line Rubber pad under the washer
  • Deb Laber Deb Laber on May 24, 2015
    I got an industrial rubber pad for my stacking washer/dryer. It still shakes a bit, but is much better.
  • Sharon Crosby Sharon Crosby on May 24, 2015
    Thanks, SLS. I was wondering if it was possible to rotate the water heater. Deb, that's a good idea to help with the shaking...although I still think the washer should be further away too.
  • Diane Fairbanks Diane Fairbanks on May 24, 2015
    Is the floor underneath the washer/dryer completely level? My laundry room, when I moved in my current house, was so uneven that the washer rocked and shimmied like a go-go dancer, and we couldn't get it level so it would stop moving so energetically. We ended up building a platform to place the washer/dryer upon, and made the legs on IT level, so the washer no longer rocks. The best part is that we made the platform with storage underneath for 3 baskets of laundry! It saves space and the inner workings of the washer!
  • Mikell Paulson Mikell Paulson on May 24, 2015
    How did this ever pass inspection?
  • Sharon Crosby Sharon Crosby on May 24, 2015
    The floor is definitely not level...but she got the washer very level. It just is an old, but very good, and reliable machine. It was like this at her previous residence too. Building a platform might be a good idea though.
  • Sharon Crosby Sharon Crosby on May 24, 2015
    This water heater was installed after the inspection...The inspector said the old heater should be replaced, so the seller replaced it as one of the conditions for selling the house. There also wasn't a washer or dryer there during the inspection or when it was installed so I don't think anyone realized how close the washer would be to the water heater...until my sister moved her washer in. Also, we just found out tonight that the dryers she was looking at buying were 29" and she thought that was a standard size. But now she has found that there are 27" ones and that, while still kind of close, would make so that the washer and gas connector aren't actually touching anymore.
  • Rosemary Kelly Rosemary Kelly on May 25, 2015
    I think I'd call a plumber and make sure the job was done properly. Messing with electrical stuff and a gas line is dangerous.
  • Shirley Kalinosky Shirley Kalinosky on May 25, 2015
    There should be some kind of platform for the water heater and a drain where the water can be drained away. I would call the plumber and have him lengthen all the hoses on the water heater and move it away from the washer entirely, which will be much safer.
  • Judy A Judy A on May 25, 2015
    A stacking washer/dryer would solve the whole problem. I have had a similar setup for 10 years and had no problems. There's even room for a 3 compartment laundry sorter in between.
  • Sharyn Diaz Sharyn Diaz on May 25, 2015
    I would call a reputable plumber and make sure it was installed right and is up to code, the original inspector might be helpful. You do have recourse especially if there was money in escrow for the replacement also the lender (credit union, VA, smaller bank) actually has a vested interest and may be able to help your sister get it fixed the way it should have been in the first place. Property flippers are often NOT qualified for some of the repairs so they just make do to get the property off their hands.
  • Teresa B Teresa B on May 25, 2015
    To add a bit of levity to the conversation... My father loves to sneak in the following statement when someone calls the water heater a "hot" water heater. "Why would you need to heat HOT water?" :)
  • Danielle Danielle on May 25, 2015
    Is there a pan under this water heater? What about a drain to the outside? I don't see either of those things on the photo. If there isn't one it's important to have one put in. Take it from me, the previous owners of our house did not do that, we didn't notice it, and it cost us an insurance claim and over $8,000 in water damage.
  • Linda Wayne Linda Wayne on May 25, 2015
    Install a tankless hot water system and you will gain more space in the laundry room.
  • Sean Sean on May 25, 2015
    The big box stores sell stacking kits to stack full sized washers and dryers. Maybe that might work. That gas line looks hinky to me. Looks like it could be routed better.
  • Mkf1509196 Mkf1509196 on May 25, 2015
    Put in flex water lines and move it an inch. The gas line cast.
  • Mildred Mildred on May 26, 2015
    I put some of the siders to move furniture under mine.. they have a foam pad where the feet of the washer sits on...
  • Judy james Judy james on May 26, 2015
    I'm really surprised this passed inspection. Normally a gas water heater needs to be elevated. I agree a stacking washer/ dryer would solve. Also maybe a bit cheaper put in a gas tankless water heater. I really like mine.
  • Francisco37388 Francisco37388 on Nov 04, 2015
    This passed an inspection?