Help with our washing machine waste?

fiwen30

There is probably such a simple solution to this, but we’re both so tired and worn out we can barely put our shoes on the right feet right now!

Moved in last week, went to plumb the washing machine today, and got a bit stumped. At the old house the machine was in an outbuilding, and the waste pipe from the machine just fed straight into a downpipe so we didn’t have to worry about this! Vendors had a washing machine in this space previously - next to the kitchen sink - so it can be done.

There was this small, angled connector fitted when we moved in, but our hose didn’t fit. I tired cutting the end off, but then the hose was too large 🙄 Went out and bought this straight hose connector from Screwfix - https://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-hose-connector/48625?tc=NA3&ds_kid=92700055281954514&ds_rl=1249404&gclid=CjwKCAiAoOz-BRBdEiwAyuvA601w1ETWRzrQjGb1LILxdx7lxg9xPFIH8aUsF67ahnxZfQw5xNkcThoCQxkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

But it was too big for the hole on the sink waste - looks like both the hole on the waste, and our machine waste hose, are both 30mm, even though the internet tells me that washing machines are usually 40mm? Again, had to cut the end off as it was too small, but the hose still didn’t fit snuggly. It’s also worth noting that the machine hose doesn’t have an internal thread or anything, so I guess it needs to make a nice tight seal in t hose connector?

Pics below show  the end of our machine waste pipe, which I think is standard(?),the angled connector which came with the house, and then the too-big straight connector we tried next. You can see the hole in the sink waste pipe that we’re trying to fit onto in the background of the second pic.

Any advice for what piece(s) we should be looking for/buying would be most appreciated. I’m about at the end of my tether and ready to hire a plumber for this most basic of household plumbing jobs, but partner wants his go at it tomorrow first, so thought we could use some knowledge first, thank you!

Swasterix

The fitting that connects to the washing machine is correct, but the threaded section that fits to the sink waste is too big. Presumably you need the same fitting but with a threaded section that fits a 32mm waste. 

You’re correct that the connection between the washing machine and the fitting is held on purely by the compression of the rubber end of the machine waste pipe, so it it bound to be tight. If you’re struggling to get it on, pick up some silicone spray while you’re at screwfix, apply liberally to the fitting and it will go on no bother. 

I’ve took a picture of mine. You can just about see it behind the two water feed pipes. 

Hope this helps!

Swasterix

Alternatively you could pick up something like this and replace the full section.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-appliance-trap-white-40mm/81714

Edit to add: this is a perfect DIY job. Fittings will all be screw on compression fittings and is really very easy to do. You don’t need to hire a plumber, and will get a nice war fuzzy feeling when you get it right! You can do it 😁

fiwen30

Thank you! I’m having the hardest time actually sourcing a 32mm, straight, hose connector - everything available online seems to be 40mm. Everything I’ve read too says that washing machines/dishwashers should be plumbed with 40mm (something to do with pressure, maybe?), and yet the 2 available outlets under our sink are both 32mm (highlighted green), and the waste pipe on our machine is smaller than 40mm also, although it was the cheapest machine I could find at the time!

Will task partner with continuing to look for a 32mm straight hose connector, I suppose. Bit leery of swapping out pipe under there, although I’m sure it is simple, as we ideally want a dishwasher where the washing machine is, and then plumbing installed for a washer-dryer on the other side of the kitchen, down the line.

Edit to add: if we did go ahead and replace...something, with...something, which bits would it be, and where would it go? 😂 plumber is starting to look awful good!

Swasterix

The 40mm probably relates to the diameter of the pipe that the washing machine discharges into ie. the main sink waste pipe. I would guess the washing machine pipe itself is probably something like 25mm. 

If you’re struggling to find a replacement fitting, the section to be replaced would be from the first blue bit at the sink, to the last blue bit at the end (if that makes sense!?). 

Have a look at this https://www.screwfix.com/p/mcalpine-adjustable-p-trap-white-40mm/1957p

It’s adjustable, so would almost guarantee it would fit. All that would be involved is to unscrew at the sink, unscrew at the other end, screw the new fittings on (hand tight) and push your washing machine fitting on. It should only take you half an hour/an hour max, and will save you £50-£100 for 10 mins of a plumber’s time!

Hasbeen

Also at screwfix?  FloPlast Hose Connector | Traps | Screwfix.com

Swasterix

Hasbeen said:

Also at screwfix?  FloPlast Hose Connector | Traps | Screwfix.com

Think that this is the same one that the OP has already bought. The threaded connection is too big for the existing waste pipe. 

grumbler

Swasterix said:

  The threaded connection is too big for the existing waste pipe. 

Too big or too small?

had to cut the end off as it was too small, but the hose still didn’t fit snuggly.

If the hose diameter is a little bigger, this can be solved with some PVC tape and/or a hose clamp

Swasterix

grumbler said:

Swasterix said:

  The threaded connection is too big for the existing waste pipe. 

Too big or too small?

had to cut the end off as it was too small, but the hose still didn’t fit snuggly.

If the hose diameter is a little bigger, this can be solved with some PVC tape and/or a hose clamp

Looking at the photo the nut on the fitting bought from screwfix is for a 40mm compression fitting. The thread on OPs existing waste setup looks to be 32mm.