Washing machine taps - Any decent ones?

andyfr_2

I have to replace the washing machine taps every few months. The coloured plastic tops break and then won't turn at all. I have looked for some better quality ones but can't find any.

I can't believe that there is only one type available. Can anyone point me in the direction of some decent ones please?

diable

You could just use a stop !!!!, but why do you keep turning the water off and on to your washing maachine in the first place?

andyhop

go to plumbcentre and get some genuine yorkshire brand washing machine valves, there have a cast knob rather than plastic

markie1980

I don't understand why you would use it that often. They are only really for when you change washing maching or get a leak.

If you need something more substantial, maybe you could fit a proper valve inline before it. something like THIS, THIS or THIS.

Mark.

andyfr_2

A few years ago the valve inside a washing machine failed, I was in the room next to it and heard the water pouring out of it so managed to turn it off before it flooded the house. When the repairman came to fix it he said it was quite regular for this to happen and that the taps should be turned off after each use and I have done ever since.

Thanks for the tip andyhop I will have a look at Plumbcentre.

MX5huggy

Rubbish!!!! most of these taps arn't exactly accesable mine are behind the machine!

tlrtone

I have to agree to never having heard that one before!
They are a fit and forget type thing.

Why are they seizing up? Do you have hard water and a lot of scaling? Might be worth looking into a water softener if you have a problem with scale as it is probably not doing the rest of your appliances any good either - kettle, boiler etc.

27col

Have a look here. These seem to be what you need in your washing machine and dishwasher pipes. They seem to be a good idea, although I have not bought one yet.
http://www.floodcheck.co.uk/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=5

LandyAndy

andyfr wrote: »

A few years ago the valve inside a washing machine failed, I was in the room next to it and heard the water pouring out of it so managed to turn it off before it flooded the house. When the repairman came to fix it he said it was quite regular for this to happen and that the taps should be turned off after each use and I have done ever since.

Thanks for the tip andyhop I will have a look at Plumbcentre.

I've heard of this so you aren't, necessarily, going mad;) . I n fact I used to do it at my previous house.

I don't do it now as there are no 'plastic handles' and I can't be @rsed turning the valves with a tool. You are reliant on the valve(s) in the machine but I 've never had one fail. Sometimes you just have to live dangerously.

andyfr_2

We don't have a problem with hard water or scale, it's the plastic tops which wear as they aren't very good and they end up just turning without the valve moving.

I realise that most of you think it's over the top but as it's happened to me I'm not willing to take the chance again. I did all the plumbing when we built the house so I made sure that the taps are easily accessible.