An integrated washing machine is fitted by meticulously installing it within your kitchen cabinetry, then concealing it behind a decorative door that matches your existing cupboards, creating a sleek and uniform aesthetic. This built-in design ensures the appliance blends seamlessly with your kitchen's overall look, providing both functionality and discreet integration.
Understanding Integrated Washing Machines
An integrated, or built-in, washing machine is specifically designed to be incorporated directly into your existing kitchen cabinetry. Unlike freestanding models, these appliances are engineered to fit snugly within a standard kitchen unit space, typically 600mm wide. Their primary purpose is to be hidden from view behind a door that matches your current kitchen cupboards, thus providing a neat, uniform, and uncluttered appearance. This design choice is popular for maintaining a cohesive and modern kitchen environment.
Essential Preparations Before Fitting
Proper preparation is crucial for a smooth and successful installation.
Required Tools and Materials
Before starting, ensure you have the following:
- Screwdrivers: Philips and flathead
- Spirit Level: For accurate leveling
- Adjustable Spanner: For plumbing connections
- Tape Measure: For precise measurements
- Drill: With appropriate bits for pilot holes
- Pencil: For marking
- Protective Gloves: For safety
- Manufacturer's Installation Manual: Essential for specific model instructions
- Detergent: For testing after installation
- Cable Ties or Clips: For tidy cable management
Site Assessment and Utilities
Before beginning the installation, verify the following:
- Appropriate Space: Ensure the cabinet space is the correct size for your integrated washing machine, typically 600mm wide, and provides sufficient depth for the machine and plumbing connections.
- Utility Access: Confirm easy access to:
- Cold Water Supply: A dedicated cold water feed with a stopcock.
- Waste Water Outlet: A standpipe or spigot on the sink waste pipe for drainage.
- Electrical Socket: A switched, earthed 13-amp power socket within reach of the machine's power cable. Consult electrical safety guidelines if unsure.
- Floor Stability: The floor must be level and strong enough to support the weight of the washing machine, especially when full of water.
- Ventilation: Ensure there is adequate airflow around the machine to prevent overheating.
Step-by-Step Fitting Process
The installation of an integrated washing machine typically follows these steps:
1. Positioning and Connecting Utilities
- Unpack and Inspect: Carefully unbox the washing machine and check for any transit damage. Remove all transit bolts from the rear of the machine as per the manufacturer's installation guide, as failing to do so can cause severe damage during operation.
- Rough Positioning: Gently slide the washing machine into the cabinet space, leaving enough room at the back to access connections.
- Connect Water Inlet: Attach the cold water fill hose to the washing machine's inlet valve and then to the cold water stopcock. Ensure connections are hand-tightened, then use an adjustable spanner for a final quarter turn. Do not overtighten.
- Connect Drain Hose: Securely attach the drain hose to the waste water outlet (standpipe or spigot). Ensure the hose is routed correctly, usually with a U-bend, to prevent backflow and siphoning.
- Connect Power: Plug the washing machine into the dedicated electrical socket. Ensure the socket is switched off during connection.
2. Securing the Machine
- Leveling: Once all connections are made, carefully slide the washing machine fully into the cabinet. Use a spirit level on top of the machine (front-to-back and side-to-side) and adjust the machine's feet until it is perfectly level and stable. This is crucial to prevent excessive vibration and noise during operation.
- Securing Brackets: Many integrated washing machines come with brackets to secure them to the underside of the worktop or to the side of the adjacent cabinets. Mark pilot holes and screw the machine firmly into place. This prevents the machine from moving during spin cycles.
3. Attaching the Cabinet Door
- Door Preparation: Mount the hinges onto your matching kitchen cupboard door according to the door's specifications.
- Washing Machine Door Brackets: Locate the mounting points on the front of the washing machine, designed for attaching the cabinet door. These are typically adjustable brackets.
- Align and Attach: Hold the cabinet door in place, aligning its hinges with the mounting points on the washing machine. Secure the hinges to the washing machine brackets using the provided screws. Ensure the door opens and closes smoothly and aligns perfectly with surrounding cabinetry. Adjust the door's position using the washing machine's integrated door adjustment mechanisms if necessary.
- Handle Installation: Fix the cabinet door handle to the newly mounted door.
Post-Installation Checks
After the machine is fully fitted, perform these essential checks:
- Water Leaks: Slowly turn on the cold water stopcock and check all plumbing connections for any signs of leaks. Run a short wash cycle without laundry to thoroughly check.
- Drainage: Observe the machine during the cycle to ensure it fills and drains correctly.
- Stability: During the spin cycle, verify that the machine remains stable and does not wobble excessively. Readjust leveling feet if needed.
- Door Alignment: Confirm the cabinet door opens and closes freely and remains perfectly aligned with the adjacent cupboard doors.
- Functionality: Test all wash programmes to ensure the machine operates as expected.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Issue | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Vibration/Noise | Transit bolts not removed; machine not level. | Ensure all transit bolts are removed. Use a spirit level to carefully adjust the machine's feet until it is perfectly stable on the floor. Tighten locking nuts on feet. |
| Water Leaks | Loose connections; damaged hose; incorrect seal. | Check all hose connections for tightness (inlet and drain). Ensure rubber washers are correctly seated. Inspect hoses for kinks or damage. |
| Door Misalignment | Incorrect hinge placement; insufficient adjustment. | Utilize the adjustable mounting brackets on the washing machine to finely tune the position of the cabinet door. Ensure hinges are correctly installed on the door itself. |
| No Water Filling | Water supply off; kinked inlet hose; faulty valve. | Check the cold water stopcock is fully open. Inspect the inlet hose for kinks or blockages. Ensure the filter in the inlet hose connection (if present) is clean. |
| Water Not Draining | Kinked drain hose; blocked filter; high drain hose. | Check the drain hose for kinks or blockages. Clean the pump filter (usually located at the bottom front of the machine). Ensure the drain hose is not pushed too far down the standpipe, creating a siphon effect, and that it is not positioned too high (usually max 1m from floor). Refer to plumbing best practices. |
Key Tools for Installation
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Spirit Level | Ensures machine is perfectly balanced |
| Adjustable Spanner | Tightens plumbing connections |
| Screwdrivers | For securing brackets and door hinges |
| Tape Measure | For accurate positioning and door alignment |
| Drill | Creates pilot holes for securing screws |
| Manufacturer Manual | Specific instructions for your appliance model |
