There are many benefits to including a washing machine outlet box in your new laundry room construction or renovation. Some of the benefits include:

1. Quick, safe access to water shut off valves in case of an emergency
2. Freeing up floor space by eliminating the need for a laundry sink for your washer to drain
3. A crisp and clean finished appearance for your project

But with so many options available, how do you pick the right box for your laundry room project?

1. Water Supply and Drainage Configuration

When selecting a washing machine outlet box, be sure to be sure to determine if there are any restrictions that would create issues for your application (e.g. pipe material, pipe location, wall cavity space, etc). While all Oatey washing machine outlet boxes support a wide range of connections to select based on pipe material and with or without water hammer arrestors, not every washing machine outlet box will be compatible with the layout. If water will be supplied from above, pick a box that can be installed inverted and have space to accommodate the water supply valves from above and drainage at the bottom. With the exception of the Eliminator and the MODA fire-rated boxes, Oatey washing machine outlet boxes can be installed inverted to support this configuration.

Along with the water supply, how and where the washing machine box will drain must be considered. If an arrangement is needed that can accommodate additional drainage, such as a condensate line, consider a laundry washing machine box with extra options for drainage. Oatey’s Eliminator features a single point of connection with separate knockouts to support two drain lines. Another option for a WMOB that can support additional drainage is Oatey’s 2 x 4 box. With the ability to be installed inverted, the 2x4 features knockouts in all 4 corners for extra flexibility when installing drain lines.

One of the most versatile boxes to support varying drainage and supply configuration is the  Oatey Quadtro WMOB. With the Oatey Quadtro box, the valves can be moved to support layouts that require the drains to be left, right or straddle the drain, or even come from above.

2. Structural Considerations

Aside from the plumbing configuration, the structural configuration of the space where you’re installing may need to be taken into account. For this we have a series of WMOBs that offer extra versatility for installation. The modular design of MODA boxes allows you to add outlet boxes in whatever configuration works best for your project, including straddling the studs with the water supply on one side and drainage on the other, or even separate walls.

For situations where you’re limited for space, the Oatey Centro II features a compact design to fit into tight locations while still offering durability and flexibility.