edwardh1

are they sturdy or thin plastic? do the washer feet punch holes in them?
Any tricks to putting a washer INTO the pan? washers are heavy- 3 people or more to lift?

BACKTOTHESEA

They are not sturdy. I had a galvanized pan made with drain cutout at my local metal fabricator for something like $25.

yarcraft91

I have a plastic one under my washer. It is heavy plastic, has held up for 12 years, washer's feet haven't marked it, does take two people to get the washer in and out.

Mist-Rest

Bought one for a spec house that was very sturdy. About 1/4 inch thick white PVC with a water sensor in the pan. The plumber supplied it.

kone

I installed this one a few years ago and am very pleased with it. You plumb it in, slide in the washer, then close the front. Simple. Not as cheap $ as the basic ones but well worth it imho. Feet won't puncture it.

http://www.floodsaver.com/snfSpecs.html

Our w/d is in a large closet on our second floor (bedroom level) so leaks are a big deal. I placed wide rubber matting (cut off roll at Home Depot) on the wall behind washer then tucked it inside the pan so if hose or something would leak it'd direct it into the pan. Also helps with sound absorption. Of course of a hose really goes...all bets are off. Anti vibration pads for under washer feet really work for sound/vibration too.

Chuckster

When you're all done, just make sure you use the stainless braided hoses, and not the cheap rubber hoses that are usually supplied with the washer. That's more important than the pan itself.

Hagar TH

Some are better than others. They are great for use under a BBQ grill as well

Rival1

What does the water sensor go to?

Chuckster

It's just an audible alarm that senses water. It sits in the pan and has sensors that use the conductivity of water to make the connection. Think of it as a smoke detector that senses water instead of smoke.

There are a bunch on the market today, some simpler than others. Here's one:
Floodmaster

WPBTH

I bought one at Lowes 3 years ago, no issues with it. To install it we tipped the washer over, laid the pan down, tipped the washer back, easy. I also have a water sensor, it goes to the hoses and shuts them off if it detects water. I also have a a "leak frog" that just makes a lot of noise if it gets wet. My washer/dyer are on the third floor that is why I have a redundant water alarm.