Simple question/answer (I hope) with washing machine plumbing.

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

Have got a leaking y connector I think. Last week it seemed to be dripping from hot/red washing machine pipe, this week it's the blue pipe. I've tightened up all threads but am wondering if the thread is busted is on either y connector or on either of the hoses going to the washing machine/dishwasher.

Awoke this morning to the sound of spurting water coming from the cold/blue washing machine pipe and the kitchen cabinet (in which these pipe sit) resembling weetabix.

Question: Is it just a case of busted threads on either y-connector or hoses or something else? I couldn't understand why there was so much pressure coming through the cold water pipe when neither machine nor dishwasher are operating. Also, last week I noticed the drips were occurring when the machine went into spin and not when taking in water.

Another Q: Mains water pipe stopcock is in airing cupboard. When kitchen was fitted, the guy put stopcocks for cold and hot water in the kitchen cabinet but these don't seem to do anything. They just turn around and around. Am confused what they do.

Obviously I'm not a plumber.

Any thoughts? Thanks

Paulus · Oct 31, 2011

It could siply be that the washers in the end of the hot and cold water feed pipes have had it. To be sure I would replace the "Y" connector and the washers, all available from your local DIY store.

It sounds like the drips when the machine is spinning is a seperate problem as this should only occur at the waste. Check if the drips are coming fromthe waste pipe.

The stopcocks under the sink are probably to isolate the kitchen tap, do they just keep turning with no effect? If so they are probably faulty although it seems odd for both to be duff. Can you send a picture?

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

I replaced the washer in the end of the hot pipe last week (when the leak was coming from there). What I noticed was that water was bubbling up from the top of the y connector. Now it's burst through the cold pipe. The washer seems fine. I bought a y connector last week and extra washers. So far have resisted taking it off as the plastic to metal connector (at top of y connector) is a bit tough.

I just can't work out the pressure though. The drips are definitely coming from the y connector when the machine is on spin or when the dishwasher flushes out (although the water does goes through the waste).

Yep exactly it, the stop-cocks just turn around to no effect - almost as if they are dummies. Have never had a need to turn them before but can't see that the fitter would have gone to the trouble of fitting them for no reason.

Also I think it's odd that I awoke to the water bursting out when I haven't used the water overnight. I live in a flat so wondering if there's some extra pressure? All very odd.

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

Will try and get a picture...

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

Ok, it may take a while for pic as phone on charge.

Just turned the hot water stopcock and that eventually turned and shut off the hot water but the cold water stopcock under the sink just turns and turns (gets to a point where it feels like it's biting and then releases again).

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

Here:

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ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

[DLMURL]http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5443/31102011501.jpg[/DLMURL]

[DLMURL]http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/9627/31102011499.jpg[/DLMURL]

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/5443/31102011501.jpg<br><br>

spurting · Oct 31, 2011

PlumbBobBob · Oct 31, 2011

has your washing machine got hot and cold feeds?

dontknowitall · Oct 31, 2011

My guess is the hoses require new washers. These things aren't brilliant at the best of times!

It looks as if the cold supplies the kitchen tap and possibly the washing machines as well. When you turn one of these taps off it's not like an electrical switch so water can come out of a tap for a little while (especially if it's fed from above.) If the flow/pressure is still good then you need to look for a different tap to try.

In addition, the cold might only be supplying the outside tap if it's around there.

The gate valve below might turn for 15 goes and nothing much will happen until it's just about closed. Also, the handle might not be gripping on the spindle which means that it feels that it's turning forever but not doing anything.

Finally, the cold tap does not look like an original stop tap.