I always look behind the washer and dryer to see the connections and don't like to say out loud, in front of the clients, "So, where are the washing machine connections?"
This is your typical washing machine connection to the left. I hooked that up 15 years ago when we moved in. This installation is a Best Practice.
You can see the hoses. These are the braided metal hoses, considered very good.
You can see the drain line. It goes into a hole in the wall where there is a dedicated drain pipe, with a trap, from which the water flows into a drain stack nearby.
The drain hose is connected to the supply hose with a little nylon strap to hold it in place in case there is a little kick back and it pops out of the wall.
This is all well done, and what you would want to see.
In a brand-new, remodeled laundry room recently I could see the hose connections into the back side of the washing machine. But from there they disappeared behind a cabinet!
The cabinet surrounded the laundry tub. I could not see behind it, but thought I might be able to see things from underneath it.
Squishing underneath and looking behind, this is what I saw. The space was very confined, but I snapped a photo.
The washing machine hoses seem to somehow connect to the faucet on the laundry tub (I think). There was a splitter later for both hot and cold.
From there the supply tubes disappear into the wall!
Were there shut off valves anywhere?
If you need to turn anything off I could not see how.
And what appears to be the washing machine drain hose connects durectly into the wall as well!
At least it's wrapped nicely with pretty white tape.
Where it goes from this point is unknown.
Does the drain have a trap? Is it the right size drain? Does it work?
So many questions! I have to admit, I have never seen a supply or drain connection for a washing machine like this one!
My recommendation: it really pays to try to see connections for the washer and dryer. Peek over the top of the machines! Have a look. I like for my clients to see them too, when it's appropriate that they look. And why not? This might be the only time they take the time to see it!
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
Hi Jay,
Looks like this connection was an Uncle Bob job after the fact. I wonder of the local inspector even looked at the homes plumbing. Not.
Have a great day in Bristow.
Best, Clint McKie
These sellers did many hundreds of thousands of dollars of remodeling to this house, Clint, so they said, and had no evidence of permits for any of it!
Oh Jay! Quit being so darn picky and just kink the hose pipes!
Ah, the advantage to the braided hoses is that they don't kink Michael! I hope your day is as intensive as mine will be!
While it might be visually appealing to hide those connections, it doesn't seem so safe and could be very challening to service.
To service it, Debbie, it would all have to be removed, including the drywall.
I really want to be able to shut water off quickly just in case. If you had to move a machine to do it, could be time consuming and a safety issue.
Of course Rick. The shut offs should be visible and easily reached. Hence the code.
Good morning, Jay....what are people thinking when they rig this stuff....
Barbara - maybe that it looks clean and everything is hidden. Maybe they think that is more "modern" too. It's incorrect, to be sure.
Good grief! One more thing to be thinking about in checking out a house. Fortunately, much of our housing stock in Charlotte is relatively new so homes were built with all the right connections to begin with.
Nina - I want to see you draped over the washing machine and diligently checking everything behind! Sometimes, with stackables, the connections are behind, so even though technically they meet the criteria (on the wall) they are not so accessible.
Actually I often have my clients do the draping, so they can see.
Jay,
That set up is a disaster waiting to happen without a shutoff valve.
Rich
It is Richard. Imagine a leak, big or small, inside the wall!
I've never seen something like that before! I can only imagine the potential issues during an emergency.
Judges----WE HAVE A WINNER---the check is in the mail! Good self control on the "What the......" moment Jay
And if that emergency is behind the wall Suzanne! As you imagine...
Charlie - thank you. I think it was the cute plastic tape that put this one over the top and onto the winner's platform. Is that the National Anthem I hear?
Jay, we once had a hose pop out while it was draining. Wash machines hold a lot of water. The braided metal hoses are also a good investment.
They are Mike. And that hose can pop off if not secured. It moves a lot of water very quickly.
Don't think we'll be referring the contractor who completed this remodel!
Good morning Jay. Who knew? I certainly did not. Thank you for the education. I checked and mine is correct.
B&M - my client here was a 2 Star General, and actually wrote me a note after this inspection thanking me for all that I found that prevented him from putting his family at risk. Pleasing a 2 Star is hard to do!
Sheila - good for you! They usually are...
Most excellent and relevant posting...When one has to interact with these controls, they want to see them as you describe as "best practice". In the absence of that, I have seen some nightmares...thank you
Thanks Richie. You have to be able to get to the controls!
Thanks for your post!
You are welcome Drick, once again...
When one of my cousins was born he had two thumbs on one hand Robert! They removed it when he was very young, but they were there!
This is exactly why remodeled homes scare me! I'd rather see the old stuff than to see the new stuff hiding the sins.
Many sellers don't even think of permits. In fact, if I try to buy a remodeled house and insist on seeing the permits I may rule out 90% of those I see on the market!
All of my antenna go up when I hear the word remodeled, Athina.
Oh wow. They were probably thinking "We need to hide these ugly hoses." D'oh! Another great post Jay!
Good morning Jay,
If they are not going to learn to do it correctly hire a professional.
Helps them with pricing and makes an inspectors job easier.
Make yourself a great day.
You just can't fix stupid. Thats a problem waiting to happen. Good catch. Bet the seller never thought anyone would see it.
You're a great inspector - love your posts - very informative!
Thanks Laura. Hidden they were!
Raymond - this might have been a "professional," with the new wave of hiding things understanding in "modern" construction!
Scott - and they were right! Nobody did see it!
Jill - you should have seen me squeeze into that space! And taking the photo was fun too!
You just never know what crazy things you will find in these houses. Seems like a big risk of a flood.
Jay,
Great point! We sold a home last year that had a remodeled laundry room and there were NO water, electric or gas lines run to the where the washer and dryer would go. Just an exhaust vent. Our buyers were able to negotiate a reduction in price because of it.
That will certainly make it difficult to ever work on or replace the washing machine.
Excellent job taking the time to investigate as much as you could. That's the sign of a great inspector! The Buyers deserve to have as much information as possible.
Experience level is obvious since I see no duct tape. Using white tape just is not the same.
It is exactly that Rob, or a risk of mold if there is a long, slow leak inside the walls that nobody sees.
That's utter silliness W&J. Once I noted on the report that the dryer vented through the roof at a place exceptionally difficult to get to from the ground for cleaning and what not. The realtor contacted me back to say there was no laundry room! I had a photo and told her where to look and to call me back. She never did...
The whole thing is ridiculous Than. What a disaster that will be one day.
TG - I squished in there! Taking the photo was even more fun!
That caused me pause too Dwight! No gum, paperclips, foam - utterly unprofessional.
Jay, it raises the what if? questions, doesn't it? Not an easy fix if your W/D is leaking....!
Interesting hookup in the second photo. Have not seen that done yet, but will be on the lookout now.
There is no fix Gayle, until everything is removed, including the drywall.
Brian - I have never seen that one either! And I do this every day and have been for 33 years.
Thank goodness ours looks like the first picture and not the second!
Jay,
This looks like a situation where you don't really want to know what's behind the wall?
Jay, Sometimes we, as inspectors can only ask a question that needs further investigation. This is a perfect example. Who knows what someone did.
That's the ticket Kat!
Sharon - it could be a disaster. But this is a new enough situation that hopefully there is nothing bad in there!
We know not Don! My clients did back off this house. This is only one of many problems the "remodeler" left for them!
Tape fixes everything! Well, I guess not because it can't fix the missing shut offs or the crumby work on the connections.
And such pretty tape too Jim! And of all things for a home inspector to kick at...