YouAreNotMyPlumberFilter: Replace Disgusting Washing Machine Outlet Box

September 25, 2015 1:33 PM

Our Washing Machine Outlet Box was put in wrong and someone went a little crazy making it "work." I would like to fix it myself, but am coming up empty on instructions and finding an upside down version. Would love any info, including "you need to pay someone."

I am really hoping this is something I can fix myself. We bought a condo last year and I hate everything, but if I could fix this one little thing I need to look at every day I know it would go a long way to improving my mood (covering it up may be the cheapest option).

I thought these things were supposed to be melt-proof, so I don't know how they melted it down, assuming it's just cheap.

I have looked on Google and found no "upside down" models, though it looks like some can be put in upside down if you know what you're doing. There are no DIY instructions, but it also seems like people trying to get info are plumbers doing full replacement of all parts, not just the box.

My questions: Where do I find out what size I need, can I just measure it? Is this something I can fix myself (right now it even looks worse due to steel wool hanging out, there is no way to get the condo assoc. to get rid of the freaking mice in the walls, so we're just trying to keep them out of our condo from the various holes that were creatively "forgotten" in various projects.)? Is it safe to just cover it up?

I will pay for a plumber, eventually, if I can't fix it, though I have a hard time spending money on this place. Currently we have no rainy day funds for this issue. Whatever caused this happened two owners ago, so I can't try to get the original plumber to fix it.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

posted by bohdel to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

The first thing you need to do is pull out the box to see what type and size of piping you have. Unfortunately, if you have rigid piping, or if the box is fastened to the framing, this will be difficult to impossible. It is also likely that you will need to cut out a big piece of drywall. If you are comfortable with this, this washing machine outlet box can be installed upside down and works with pex, cpvc, and copper (I think it has push-on connectors).
It may be that the box was melted when copper piping was soldered to the fittings.
This is a fairly involved repair, but is totally doable for a dedicated do-it-your-selfer (I would do it). Good luck.
posted by H21 at 2:06 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

This thread has a picture of what looks like the type of installation that you need -- basically something like the box that H21 linked, upside down.

You may, or may not, have to resolder the pipes to get them to go through the holes (maybe you can find a box with holes big enough to accommodate the current fittings. But then you'd still have to maneuver the thing in place, which does seem like you'll need to cut into the drywall.
posted by sparklemotion at 2:19 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you! These are excellent for me and the husband to consider before making up our minds!
posted by bohdel at 3:01 PM on September 25, 2015

Best answer: It may be that the box was melted when copper piping was soldered to the fittings.

I think you're right, and it looks to me as if faucets which were designed for a threaded mount were soldered directly onto plain copper piping instead, and that the soldering did melt the box.

But that might make the whole thing pretty difficult to get apart.

I'd be inclined to find a piece of plastic I could cut a couple of holes or slots in for the hoses, and which could be used as a removable cover for the box, held in place perhaps by magnets hot glued inside the lip of the box and on the back of the plastic piece.
posted by jamjam at 6:56 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

and it looks to me as if faucets which were designed for a threaded mount were soldered directly onto plain copper piping instead

They are designed to work either way, so this is not an incorrect installation per se.

That said, this is an absolutely abhorrent install done by somebody with zero pride in their work.

I'm with jamjam - find a way to cover this mess and call it done.
posted by davey_darling at 8:19 PM on September 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks jamjam and davey_darling, love the idea of magnets to cover this up, we have a few places where whoever did the work just took a hammer to the wood in order to get access to something and then taped it up with plastic or other stupid fixes. Magnets are a genius solution. And it's nice to have someone tell me it isn't worth my time. Now to just find the right piece of plastic!
posted by bohdel at 11:50 AM on September 26, 2015 [1 favorite]