No plug socket behind washing machine

lis1320

We have just moved into a rented flat and noticed there is no plug socket where the washing machine should be. All I see there is what I’m guessing is some kind of blanking plate? Can this be replaced back into a socket or should we assume it’s been covered for a reason and mess around with extension cords? There’s no plug sockets anywhere near, so it would have to be connected to one above the counter tops which wouldn’t be ideal.

Here’s what it looks like: 

400ixl

Looks like a hard wire socket which the washing machine can be wired into. Better idea would be to replace it with a socket so you can use the plug on the washing machine.

That is assuming there is wiring to it and its not just a blanking plate of course.

grumbler

Looks like a cooker plate to me - for hard-wiring a cooker. Is there a big cooker switch above?

Take the cover off and post a photo of what's inside.  Switch the main switch off in the CU first if you don't feel confident enough.

Gavin83

I agree with grumbler, it looks like a cooker point. It's definitely not a blanking plate, that raised bit at the bottom is like that to allow enough room for the wire to come out.

Is there a cold water feed + waste located nearby? Appreciate there's a cold water pipe + waste pipe in the picture and you could add fittings onto those but wondered if they already exist. If not I'd suggest this spot was never really designed for a washing machine. 

lis1320

@400ixl @grumbler @Gavin83 thanks all, I have no idea about anything electrical so your comments are very helpful. Very possible that it was supposed to be a cooker point but it was placed elsewhere. Or perhaps hard wiring for a washing machine?

To the right of the photo is a cupboard which houses the pipes from the sink, and that’s where the washing machine fittings are. 

400ixl

It would be unusual to hard wire a washing machine these days, so cooker point is more likely.

Good call on whether there is a cold water feed into the same location, if not it is unlikely to be a slot for the washing machine.

lis1320

@400ixl there is a built-in cooker in a different part of the kitchen, the landlord might have done that to avoid the cooker being directly next to the sink. There is no other space for the washing machine so it will just have to go there  

I think we’ll go for the temporary solution of using an extension cord to run the washing machine. Really can’t think of how the previous tenants have done this, I couldn’t see any extension cords in the photos. 

lis1320

This is the underneath of the sink, which is right next to the washing machine space. Maybe the yellow and green wire is important here too…

Annoyingly we’re not going to be back at the flat for a few days so can’t even check what that’s for 

Gavin83

It's an earth cable. Don't worry about it, it's not important for the issue at hand.

Do you have a waste connection for a washing machine too?

If you've got all the water connections + that electrical point it shouldn't be too difficult to get a washing machine in there. However, given you didn't know what an earth cable was I'd probably recommend getting someone in to deal with the socket!

lis1320

Gavin83 said:

It's an earth cable. Don't worry about it, it's not important for the issue at hand.

Do you have a waste connection for a washing machine too?

If you've got all the water connections + that electrical point it shouldn't be too difficult to get a washing machine in there. However, given you didn't know what an earth cable was I'd probably recommend getting someone in to deal with the socket!

Yes there is a waste connection too.

Don’t worry I would never attempt this myself, it was just nagging at me to know what a solution is. 

When you say deal with the socket, do you mean replacing it into a single socket? 

FreeBear

lis1320 said: This is the underneath of the sink, which is right next to the washing machine space.

Suggestion - The tap with the red dot on it - Get a blanking cap to seal the bottom end. Sometimes, the tap gets knocked and you end up with a small dribble of water quietly soaking stuff unseen.

Not sure if that is a 15mm fitting or BSP. If the latter, get one of these - https://www.screwfix.com/p/hep2o-brass-bsp-female-manifold-cap/541fj