Garden hose on washing machine fitting

iharding

We were planning to get someone in to fit an outside tap to help water the garden once the summer arrives.

However, my wife's out of work at the moment and money is tight so looking for a way to avoid the cost of a tradesman. The tap would have been fitted to the external wall of the utility room. It occurred to me that I could get a Y-split adapter from the washing machine inlet supply, then add an in-line tap and finally an adapter to hozelock (3/4 inch thread on a washing machine connector?). Then I could just run the end of the hose through the open window when required.

Apart from the slight inconvenience of running the hose through the window and turning on the inside tap, is there any reason why this would be a bad idea? I don't think back-flow from the hose would be a problem, as the feed comes from the cold water tank in the loft, not the mains supply to the kitchen tap so no drinking water contamination issues. I guess it might not be a good idea to run the washing machine while the hose tap is open, but that's easy enough to organise.

Thanks,
Ian

tuggy12

If the cold water feed is from a loft tank, then the pressure will probably be inadeqate for use with a garden hose.

If, for example, you have a 30ft hose with a sprinkler, you'll find the water will just dribble rather than sprinkle.

Similarly with a hose spray attachment, the pressure will not be enough to generate a spray.

I have found that a full bore (1/2") mains supply is needed.

Chunks

My washer has a cold feed only (mains). Your idea might work. Unless you are really reluctant, installing an outside tap should be doable for most DIYers if you have some basic tools (and some spare time). You can get kits from the diy sheds as an alternative, something like this:

http://uk.ebid.net/for-sale/outdoor-garden-tap-kit-complete-diy-set-43490877.htm?from=googleshop_uk

(I am guessing) where your washing machine is connected to the cold mains fed supply, you should have an isolation value. Closing that off should allow you to disconnect the washer. If yes, you can/might be able to connect your garden hose at that point (with a suitable connector). That will provide a work around in the short term. Just a thought.

Good luck.

ic

far cheaper here: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Garden+Tap+Kit/p79669 (free delivery)

Chunks

ic wrote: »

far cheaper here: http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Garden+Tap+Kit/p79669 (free delivery)

Was flagging the concept - this was the first 'hit' I got - rather than you should by this. ic is right, of course. The 'concept' might not be the purest's choice I bet but something to ponder (maybe).

tuggy12

Chunks wrote: »

(I am guessing) where your washing machine is connected to the cold mains fed supply, you should have an isolation value.

The OP did say his washing machine is not connected to a cold mains fed supply but from a loft tank.

as the feed comes from the cold water tank in the loft, not the mains supply

iharding

Thanks for all the replies. Must admit I'd never heard of self-cutting taps. Think I can manage installing one of them. I've done a fair number of DIY jobs over the years but never touched plumbing; never needed to until now, so it scares me a bit! This looks a simple place to start.

I've got a mate with an SDS drill that's up to the job of making a hole through the outside wall if I bribe him with tea and cake :-)

Cheers,
Ian

Chunks

tuggy12 wrote: »

The OP did say his washing machine is not connected to a cold mains fed supply but from a loft tank.

Apologies - missed that.

Gravity fed from the tank might be ok if used in conjunction with a jet wash (to say clean the car) but otherwise no. If you have a water softener, it's an even more bad idea.

However, if you can locate a mains supply source, and tee off from there, it's not an overly onerous diy project.

iharding

Chunks wrote: »

Apologies - missed that.

Gravity fed from the tank might be ok if used in conjunction with a jet wash (to say clean the car) but otherwise no. If you have a water softener, it's an even more bad idea.

However, if you can locate a mains supply source, and tee off from there, it's not an overly onerous diy project.

The mains supply goes through floor level boxing on the other side of the utility room, the stop !!!! is behind a panel at one end. I could just as easily tap into this near where it meets the rear wall of the house (it comes in at the side wall).

One question about joining the mains water supply: Should I be concerned about contamination from dirt/mould/stagnant water in the hose getting back into drinking water from the inside kitchen tap, or can I assume that mains pressure will never allow this to happen?

societys_child

Yes! you need a double check valve (water regs.) something like this:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-double-check-valve/96336

or this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garden-Hose-Double-Check-Valve/dp/B005A2VMUU

weedee

I bought a self cutting tap kit from B&Q a few years ago and fitted it myself. No problems at all and I am a 64year old female so buy the kit from toolstation . its an easy job and the tap is still working perfectly. Mine is connected to the mains in my kitchen and goes out through the wall. Where the pipe goes through the wall ,be sure to seal it with silicone so there are no gaps for drafts to come in