How to fix a leaking washing machine tap

Shanester43

]I have changed the cold fill hose and washer. I have also tightened up the white fitting with a wrench but still the water leaks, even with the tap turned off it still drips out. Under pressure it comes out more.
Is this a job for a plumber, if so is this going to be expensive?

Jackmydad

Try another, new washer. Don't overtighten it, they're supposed to only be hand tight, but I nearly always find I have to tighten them just a bit more.
If the sealing face of the tap itself is damaged, then the tap will have to be replaced.

StumpyPumpy

Shanester43 wrote: »

I have changed the cold fill hose and washer. I have also tightened up the white fitting with a wrench but still the water leaks, even with the tap turned off it still drips out. Under pressure it comes out more.
Is this a job for a plumber, if so is this going to be expensive?

If it is dripping with the tap turned off (technically isolation valve, but "tap" is quicker to type ) then the problem is with the tap not with the hose connection, but as Jackmydad says these should never be overtightened in any case. I tighten by hand and then give no more than about a 1/10 of a turn with a wrench to make sure.

You need to find out which side of the tap is leaking (ie washer side, mains side or through the spigot) if it isn't obvious, what I do is dry the pipe off fully then wrap some toilet paper around the side you want to check and keep an eye on it. As the water seeps through it will become obvious as the toilet paper soaks it up. If it is leaking on the mains side - and assuming it is a standard compression joint - you might be able to fix it by tightening it with a wrench, again only do this a small amount and make sure the tap doesn't turn when you do so. If it is from the spigot or the washer side then it is probably easiest to buy a new tap than to try to fix it - they are not expensive and pretty easy to do yourself as long as you remember to isolate the water supply before you try it. Youtube is full of "how to" videos showing what to do.

If you don't feel confident or don't have the tools then a plumber is going to be expensive (they always are) but as you can describe the problem ("Washing machine isolator valve is leaking") you should be able to phone a couple up and get an accurate quote so you know what you are in for.

SP

jk0

Put some vaseline on the threads before you tighten.

GDB2222

Shanester43 wrote: »

]I have changed the cold fill hose and washer. I have also tightened up the white fitting with a wrench but still the water leaks, even with the tap turned off it still drips out. Under pressure it comes out more.
Is this a job for a plumber, if so is this going to be expensive?

Can I just check something? Pull the washing machine out. Disconnect the hose from the wall fitting. Dry it all off. Is it still leaking? If it is, get a plumber in to replace the washing machine isolator valve.

Or replace it yourself. Easy-ish job. You need something like this:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/washing-machine-valve-without-check-valve-15mm-x-/51231

Plus some of this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/fernox-ls-x-leak-sealer-50ml/23614



or maybe one of these
https://www.screwfix.com/p/jg-speedfit-15aptp-washing-machine-tap-15mm-x/18908

cranford

I have used a JS Speed fit valve as suggested above. Its very easy to install (see youtube), you just push it on the pipe. Just make sure the copper pipe is cut off square with no rough burrs. I used a circular pipe cutter which are about £10 from DIY stores or about £5 for a "Rolson Rotary 15mm Copper Pipe Tube Cutter" on Ebay. The good thing about the JS range as opposed to other brands is that you can pull then off and use again.

TELLIT01

No disrespect to the OP intended, but as their knowledge is obviously very limited it will be safer to get a plumber in to do the job. Call around and tell them you need the tap for the washing machine replaced and ask how much it will be. For a job which is that simple they should be able to give you a fairly firm price. If they waffle on about needing to see the job first, try somebody else.