New washing machine ?

Dick_here

Potential problems or not ???

I'm thinking of getting a new one, but we've got a fitted kitchen. The washing machin isn't fitted but there is very little room between the two boards which enclose the existing one.

I see that companies that offer 'collect and connect' still expect the old one to be disconnected in advance. That I can manage, fingers crossed, as the hoses go through some sort of hole (I assume) at the side and empty into the under sink area so I can disconnect them there and then they'll pull through as the machine is pulled forward. But how will the new one fit ? There's no space for anyone to get hold of the hoses and push/pull them in the right direction. I have visions of disconnecting and pulling out the old machine only to be told that they can't access the space required to fit the new one, by which point of course I'll be similarly unable to reconnect the existing one !

I guess (hope) this is a common problem, and hope you'll tell me not to worry, based on your own experiences. Or should I go with my concerns and leave well alone ?

Thanks guys

SplanK

usualy the plubing is either directly behind the unit, or to the side through a hole in one of the units..


The washer fits snuggly into its hole and the pipes run through the side of the cabinet to the right.... when the machine is out there is enough pipe to feed it through the hole and hold it there whilst the rest of the unit is pushed back into position... then you can pull the excess through to connect it up!!!

and yes - this will be very common

SplanK

actualy - just found a better pic which shows the washer out but with one of the pipes fed through the hole in the side!!

Pyewacket338

You don't need to pull the water feed pipe(s) through the unit, just detach them from the old machine and attach to the new.

The easiest way I've found to pull a machine out is to open the door, grip the machine at the top of the inner door opening and pull it out that way.

Bart

Hi if you undo the pipes at the sink end tie strong string to each pipe, then when the pipes are pulled through and the washing machine removed you can undo the string, tie it to the new pipes and pull them through the hole as the washing machine is pushed in to place. I hope this helps.

Dick_here

Thanks for the help guys.

My extra problem is that my hoses don't go straight through a hole in the central panel as in the picture. My hole is in the base of my sink side unit and the hoses come up through there. I've tried pulling the machine out without detaching anything but it won't come all the way, I guess the hoses aren't long enough for that. So they've got to be detached at the sink end first. Therefore any new machine can't be attached at the sink end first as the hoses won't be long enough, but pushing the machine into place then trying to get hold of the hoses and pull them through the hole will also be very tricky I fear....

Dick_here

Pyewacket338 wrote: »

You don't need to pull the water feed pipe(s) through the unit, just detach them from the old machine and attach to the new.

I can't do that though, they're not long enough to get the machine out to be able to...

Dick_here

Bart wrote: »

Hi if you undo the pipes at the sink end tie strong string to each pipe, then when the pipes are pulled through and the washing machine removed you can undo the string, tie it to the new pipes and pull them through the hole as the washing machine is pushed in to place. I hope this helps.

Sounds a good tip, thanks :j

Pyewacket338

Sounds like you'll need to take the plinth off the front of the unit and feed the pipes through that way.

Pyewacket338

You could always make a new hole in the side of the unit for the new pipes, they don't have to go the same route as the old.

.......... and if you can..... fit longer pipes on your new machine so you won't have the same problem should you need to pull the machine out again.

Dick_here

Much appreciated Pyewacket, though neither of them strike me as options I'd really want to take. Why is everything so difficult....