Washing Machine help

Caroline73_2

Not really MSE but I knew you'd all be helpful!!!

I have just offered my washing machine on Freecycle and it's being collected tomorrow (hopefully) it's just occured to me that I don't know how to disconnect it.

Is it just a case of unscrewing the pipes or will water gush into my kitchen. I did think about turning it off at the mains until my new one is plumbed in but that's coming on Friday.

I'm so ditzy - I should think these things through first!!!

LandyAndy

There should be one or two flexible pipes leading from the machine to the permanent pipework. Where they meet there should be an in-line valve. In the valve there will be a screw head with the slot aligned along the pipe. Get a screwdriver and turn the screw head through 90 degrees (quarter turn). This closes the valve. Then undo the flexible pipes from the valve.

If you are lucky the valves will have little plastic handles on them that you simply turn through 90 degrees to shut off the water.

This should help you to see what I mean http://www.diydata.com/plumbing/washing_machine/washing_machine.php

Best place for this thread, if you are still struggling, is the 'In my home' board.

Caroline73_2

Thanks!

It looked fairly straight forward but I thought that there maybe more to it!

justlikethat_2

It will probably be connected up to both hot and cold pipes but some can just have a cold connection. Red and blue flexible hoses from the back of the machine will lead to your household cold and hot pipes. There should be an obvious 'tap' to turn off (clockwise) fitted near this end of the copper water pipes, make sure they are turned off first. One possibility if they are more modern is that instead of a tap you will have a smaller valve or even a screw valve which you will need a screwdriver to shut off. Once this is done you can disconnect the hoses by unscrewing the plastic 'thingamyjigs' which tighten them on (you will probably need some mole grips or box pliers to do this). Do this next to the machine if you are going to keep the hoses and use them for your next machine or next to the pipes if they are going with the old machine. This will mean some water is bound to leak out but you should only need an old towel.

Good tip remember to put the machine on whatever program it needs to pump out the last bit of water left from the last wash before you do all this!

Alternatively whoever is collecting your old machine might be happy to do this for you.

geordie_joe

Andy is right, but before you give the washer away you should find out if the new washer comes with pipes or not.

You'll be gutted if you give the pipes away with the washer then find the new one doesn't have any.

On the other hand, you may keep the pipes and just give the washer away and the people you give it to may have to buy new pipes. Then you find your washer comes with pipes and you now have a spare set.

LandyAndy

geordie_joe wrote: »

Andy is right, but before you give the washer away you should find out if the new washer comes with pipes or not.

You'll be gutted if you give the pipes away with the washer then find the new one doesn't have any.

On the other hand, you may keep the pipes and just give the washer away and the people you give it to may have to buy new pipes. Then you find your washer comes with pipes and you now have a spare set.

Every washer I've bought (four in 30 years:o ) has come with pipes but still worth asking the question.

LandyAndy

Caroline73 wrote: »

Thanks!

It looked fairly straight forward but I thought that there maybe more to it!

It's like so many things around the house, easy if you know what you're doing and impossible (and potentially dangerous / damaging) if you don't:D .

Caroline73_2

I assume it comes with pipes as they didn't try and sell me any at the time of purchase and they tried to sell me everything else possible!!!!

peachyprice

LandyAndy wrote: »

Every washer I've bought (four in 30 years:o ) has come with pipes but still worth asking the question.

Four in 30 years, well done you!!!!:D

LandyAndy

peachyprice wrote: »

Four in 30 years, well done you!!!!:D

I think it might only be 3:o .

A Hotpoint top loader bought in 1979 and still going strong when I got divorced in 1989.

An 'I can't remember what (may have been a Zanussi) ' in 1989.

And a Bosch in about 1995. I can't praise Bosch kit highly enough. Ours does 4 or 5 washes every weekend and has never needed attention. The only fault is that the door release no longer springs the door open, you have to pull it, not a great hardship.

Whilst I appreciate that everyone has a budget I would say that, in my experience in white goods, buying a 'top' brand (Bosch, Miele etc) saves you money in the long run.

LandyAndy

Caroline73 wrote: »

I assume it comes with pipes as they didn't try and sell me any at the time of purchase and they tried to sell me everything else possible!!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl:

I hope you resisted in best MSE style.