Material vs Features vs Price: Choosing the Right Washing Machine Pan

We all know someone that has experienced the devastation of water damage caused by a home appliance. Nearly half of homeowners have experienced water damage and the costs that come with that. Almost all common water damage is preventable with proper maintenance and spill containment measures. Currently, water damage is the second most frequently filed insurance claim in the US. The repair costs and property losses amount to billions of dollars every year. Purchasing your pan prior to a major water related incident will save you time and money.

In this blog, we will cover the options Killarney Metals has available to help you choose the ideal washing machine pan for your needs. At Killarney Metals, we have a wide variety of materials, features, prices, sizes, and additional accessories. Let’s start by looking at the materials.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel undergoes a process called galvanization, which is the process of coating steel with zinc in order to prevent corrosion and rust. This coating gives galvanized steel the power to be corrosion-resistant. The zinc layer acts as a protective layer for the steel. When the steel is exposed to damage, the zinc coating protects the steel by corroding first. Picture it the way a mother duck will walk ahead of her ducklings in case of danger. She is the first line of defense. Due to the coating, galvanized steel is always ready to use. There is no need for additional preparations such as painting or coating in order to protect against corrosion..

 Galvanized steel can last for decades, specifically 20 to 50 years depending on its environment. With severe water exposure, galvanized steel will last approximately 20 years. However, if kept clear from excess moisture, you can expect it to reach 50 years or more.

Benefits:

Affordable - galvanized steel is the most affordable option.

Coated - the zinc coating on galvanized steel acts as the steel’s protector against corrosion and rust.

Scratches - small scratches are hardly visible to the naked eye.

Considerations:

Textured - The process of galvanization leaves behind a textured surface.

Color - Galvanized steel is a slightly lighter silver compared to stainless steel.

Powder-Coated Steel

Powder-coated steel is the process of painting steel with an electrostatic coating made of consistently sized microbeads. Powder coating is stronger and more durable than standard paint. The powder coating also protects your pan from rust and corrosion.

Depending on the environment, powder-coated steel can last up to 40 years. However, if the powder coating becomes scratched or damaged, the steel underneath will rust over time if it comes into contact with moisture. To prevent this from happening, simply seal the scratch with a coating of spray paint.

Benefits:

Aesthetics - For those who do not have a silver or steel colored appliance, powder coating allows you to pick a color that matches your washing machine or home decor.

Considerations:

Scratches - powder coated steel is more susceptible to scratches, which makes it more vulnerable to corrosion and rust. Again, with a quick touch of spray paint, this risk can be mitigated.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an extremely reliable material. The chromium atoms in stainless steel react with oxygen to form a protective layer made of chromium oxide. This layer blocks stainless steel’s inner layers from its environment, which makes it highly resistant to water and corrosion. Stainless steel is also naturally heat and fire-resistant. The natural corrosion and heat resistance makes stainless steel incredibly dependable in all environments.

Stainless steel is also known for being a modern and sleek metal that suits nearly every home appliance. If sustainability is a priority, stainless steel is 100% recyclable and does not leach toxic chemicals into its environment. As a result, your stainless steel pan can last more than 50 years if cared for properly. No matter where your washer is located, stainless steel will stand not only the test of time, but also the test of moisture.

Benefits:

Resistant - stainless steel is corrosion and rust resistant, as well as fire and heat resistant.

Durable - the strength of the stainless steel makes washing machine pans incredibly durable against damage and environmental factors.

Aesthetics - the polished and modern look of stainless steel will suit any home.

Scratches - small to medium scratches will not be highly visible on stainless steel due to its natural coating.

Considerations:

Costly - stainless steel is a more expensive option due to the cost of its production. Its resistance to corrosion, rust, fire, and heat are caused by the addition of iron, chromium, nickel, manganese and copper.

Killarney Metals’ understands that each home or business has different needs regarding their home appliances. Every home uses different colors, layouts, and washing machine types. Let’s examine the different washing machine pan features.

Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan

If your washing machine has a loading door on top, the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan is the best choice. The Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan has four walls that are 2.5” tall to contain spills and leaks. The edges are also hemmed ½ in and thecorners are welded water-tight for a guaranteed leak-proof pan.

For some HOA neighborhoods, a washing machine pan is required. The Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan meets most HOA requirements. Unlike plastic pans, Killarney Metals steel pans will not crack or break under pressure. Steel pans are thinner than plastic, so they won't take up as much space in your home. All Killarney Metals pans are made in the USA. This allows us to pay special attention to detail and maintain quality inspections for every pan.

Benefits:

Cost Effective - the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan is the most cost-effective.

HOA Requirements - For homeowners that live in a HOA, the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan passes most HOA requirements.

No Leak+ Guarantee - the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan comes with a No Leak+ Guarantee.

Considerations:

Basic Style - the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan has the most basic features of a washing machine pan.

Limited By Volume - due to the lack of drainage, the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan can only hold as much water as the pan can fit.

Installation - the walls of the Standard Drip Washing Machine pan are 2.5” on all sides. Therefore, your appliance has to be lifted over the pan walls in order to install it inside the pan.

Additional Steps For Drain Protection - if you elect to add a drain, a hole must be manually drilled into the pan.

Front Load Washing Machine Pan

If you have a washing machine that opens from the front, the Front Load Washing Machine Pan is a suitable choice. The Front Load Washing Machine Pan is a tapered pan for front loading washing machines. The wall of the pan tapers from 2.5” to 1” from back to front, allowing space for washers that have a pedestal, drawer, or maintenance panel that needs to be accessed at the bottom of the appliance. Adjust the leveling feet of your washer to 1.25” from the bottom of the pan to access the full function of your pedestal drawer. This pan is also easy to install and ergonomic.

Benefits:

Access - the Front Load Washing Machine Pan allows you to have access to the front load door and any front-facing maintenance panels.

Appliance Installation - installation of the Front Load Washing Machine Pan is easier due to the shorter front wall.

Aesthetic - the tapered design of the Front Load Washing Machine Pan creates a clean, modern aesthetic.

HOA - for HOAs requiring a washing machine pan, the Front Load Washing Machine Pan passes most requirements.

Considerations:

Containment - the Front Load Washing Machine Pan does not have drainage features. Once water exceeds the volume allotment, the water will overflow.

Installation - the 1” front wall requires the washing machine to be lifted for installation.

Drain Washing Machine Pan

The typical Drain Washing Machine Pan is perfect for top-load washing machine leaks and spill containment. All four walls of the pan are 2.5” tall. The edges of the pan’s walls are hemmed ½” and all corners are welded water-tight to ensure complete, guaranteed leak protection.

The Drain Pan includes a pre-punched drain hole with a diameter of 1.32” to allow for the release of leaks or spills. The drainage hole is meant to be paired with our PVC drain fitting and attached to the plumbing design available to you. The Drain Pan also comes in a front-load design for those with a front-load washing machine.

Benefits:

Drainage - the Drain Washing Machine Pan allows for leaks and spills to flow into a drain line and exit outside your house so that no water overflows or stagnates within the pan.

HOA - for HOA’s that require a washing machine pan, the Drain Washing Machine Pan passes most requirements.

No Leak+ guarantee - the Drain Washing Machine Pan comes with a No Leak+ Guarantee.

Cost - the Drain Washing Machine Pan is a cost-effective option.

Water Flow - when a leak happens, the Washing Machine Drain Pan can handle the average GPM (gallons per minute) for most washing machines.

Considerations:

Installation - the Drain Washing Machine Pan requires that the washing machine has to be lifted in order to install into the pan.

Drain Position - the pre-drilled drain hole predetermines the position from which you can attach a drain line so water will exit your home in case of a leak or spill.

Plumbing - the Drain Washing Machine Pan requires plumbing in order to utilize the drain feature.

Leak Washing Machine Pan

The Leak Washing Machine Pan notifies you of leaks and spills before they cause damage to your home. The 3-sided pan prevents water from seeping into your floor or sitting under your washing machine, which has the potential to cause mold, mildew, and rot. Each side wall is 1” tall. The front is flat, allowing it to sit flush with the floor. This makes the Leak Washing Machine Pan the easiest to install and access for maintenance purposes.

The Leak Pan was initially designed for dishwashers and ice makers. However, customer requests for the Leak Pan in a size appropriate for a washing machine led us to develop the Leak Washing Machine Pan. 

Benefits:

Safety - The Leak Washing Machine Pan alerts you to water leaks prior to any severe water damage.

Appliance Install - Due to the flat front wall, the Leak Washing Machine Pan is the easiest to install.

Appliance Maintenance - In addition to it being an easy install, the Leak Washing Machine Pan is also the easiest to maneuver washing machines in for maintenance.

Aesthetics - The Leak Washing Machine pan is a nearly hidden application due to the flat front.

Cost Effective - The Leak Washing Machine Pan is a cost-effective choice.

Considerations:

Leaking - The Leak Washing Machine Pan will leak (intentionally).

Limited Protection - Due to the open front, the Leak Washing Machine Pan only protects directly underneath the appliance.

Personal Responsibility - As a result of this type of alert technology, you must be observant in order to benefit from this washing machine pan. 

Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan

The Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan provides the best protection against spills and leaks. This pan offers a comprehensive solution to spill containment. The front of the pan has a drain trough to capture any leaking fluid. The trench drain culminates in a 1” drain hole, which is attached to a drain pipe allowing for maximum drainage.

There is no need for dollies or arm straps with this drain pan.The entry area allows the washing machine to be installed easily with no lifting of your appliance. The Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan should be installed during renovations or new construction as it requires a route in the floor for the trench trough prior to installation.

Benefits:

Safety - the Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan has two levels of protection against water damage to ensure excess water is not able to stagnate beneath your appliance.

Appliance Installation - because the drain trough is recessed into the floor, washing machines slide in and out of the pan easily.

Appliance Maintenance - the Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan makes washing machine maintenance easy because you can maneuver the washing machine forward for easier access to parts and pieces.

Aesthetic - the drain trough at the front of the pan is very sleek and acts as an accent to your washing machine.

Considerations:

Pan Install - the Trench Drain Pan is best suited for installation while a home is under construction or renovation.

Costly - due to its advanced design, the Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan is the luxury choice of washing machine pans.

Installation - for the installation of the Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan, a plumber and/or contractor is recommened

Drain Position - as a result of the drain trough and drain hole location, the Trench Drain Washing Machine Pan has to be installed in a predetermined way or existing plumbing has to be retrofitted to the drain application.

Size?

Picking the correct size for your pan is crucial to its functionality. A standard washing machine measures approximately 27-28” wide and between 20-35” deep. A compact washing machine is typically 24” wide and 24-26” deep. Killarney Metals has a washing machine pan stock that ranges from 27” x 25” to 36” x 36”. These size ranges are designed to suit compact and standard washing machines. If you have a steam function on your dryer, we recommend a pan for your dryer as well.

At Killarney Metals, we recommend that you purchase a pan that is at least 1" larger on all sides than the dimensions of your machine to ensure it fits properly. If you have any questions or concerns, our customer service team is available through chat, email, and phone and is ready to assist you in finding the best pan for your needs. For detailed sizing information, please seeour Washer Drip and Drain Pan Selector. 

Price?

The price range for washing machine pans can vary widely depending on size and material. Customization can also affect the price point if you need a specialty washing machine pan. Killarney Metals washing machine pans range from $110 to $400+. Our most affordable washing machine pan is the Standard Drip Washing Machine Pan in Galvanized Steel. For the most luxurious option, take a look at our Open Front Trench Drain Pan in Stainless Steel. 

When you compare the cost of water damage repair and restoration to the price of a washing machine pan, a washing machine pan is worth every penny! The national average for water damage repair is $3,500-$11,500 depending on your location, and in severe cases, it can be upwards of $100,000. A washing machine pan for $110 or a water damage repair bill costing thousands, there is no comparison. An initial investment of $100-$400 for a spill containment pan can save you thousands of dollars and untold hours of frustration should you experience an appliance leak. Gain peace of mind with Killarney Metals pans!

Available Accessories

Looking to further protect your home and make life easier? Consider some of Killarney Metals other products.

Leak Alert Device - The Leak Alert Device notifies you when a leak has occurred to save your home from catastrophe.

Anti-Vibration Pads - The Anti-Vibration pad reduces the noise your washing machine/pan combo naturally produces as well as ensures thatyour pan stays in place with its anti-slip grip technology. Additionally, the pads protect your floors from damage.