Washing Machine Plumbing

[IanCun]

I've just bought our first house and the previous owner took the washing machine and tumble dryer with him. They were previously integrated appliances under a counter (and behind a cupboard) in the utility room.

The problem is that I can't actually see where I can plumb the machine in. It looks like there's a cold water feed (I assume!), but there's no waste water pipe?:

http://i.*********/1EKwA.jpg

The washing machine and tumble dryer are either side of a sink unit, which must have a cold water feed and waste pipe going to it - so it must work somehow. Here's a pic of the unit next to it:

http://i.*********/HSqxo.jpg

Can you tell from those pics how I'd connect this thing up?

 

[M.Joshi]

I think you may have a washing machine valve just behind the U-bend. I can't tell from the picture very well but it does look like one with a blue lever.

Have you tried fitting the drainage hose onto the long fitting on the sink drain? If it doesn't fit, you should be able to purchase an adapter for the washing machine.

Is that black mat which is peeling off, from under the sink?

 

[Mike Jackson]

It definitely looks like there is a valve behind the waste. The washing machine hose should fit over the spigot on the left of the sink waste. You may need to trim the end off the spigot first. Make sure you use a jubilee clip to hold the hose onto it. The washing machine hose will need to rise up as far as possible before attaching to this spigot to prevent waste water from the sink syphoning back into the machine and smelling. You may have a U shaped support on the end of the waste hose from the washing machine, this needs to be removed.

 

[Mike Jackson]

The black mat is sound deadening material from the underside of the sink bowl. They frequently peel off with age.

 

[M.Joshi]

You may have a U shaped support on the end of the waste hose from the washing machine, this needs to be removed.

Could the hook and the U-shaped support not be used to hold the drainage hose up to prevent reverse syphonage?

 

[Mike Jackson]

Possible but it makes it a real struggle to fit it in a kitchen unit. I either drill a hole through at high level or use a cable tie to a screw in the side of the unit.

 

[M.Joshi]

The black mat is sound deadening material from the underside of the sink bowl. They frequently peel off with age.

The one on our Franke sink cracked and fell off within a year or so. I contacted Franke and they sent out a replacement free of charge. I think the replacement is better quality than the original

 

[glenno1]

Cold feed valve is blue behind u-bend and the spigot off the waste is for your machine waste outlet

P.s.Quality installation

 

[AWheating]

as other have stated the blue topped valve behind your p trap is the cold for the wash machine. the wash machine waste can connect as other have suggested.

they were probably feed under the unit through the hole where your stop tap is, it may be better to drill a hole in a more suitable position if your hoses are not very long.

if in any doubt get a qualified plumber in as any leaks in the unit will cause the carcus to swell over time and mean the cupboard will need replacing. I normally mastic seal the cupboard joints if possilbe to help stop this happening.

 

[M.Joshi]

There might just be space above the Drain-off Co_ck (DoC) to feed your washing machine cold feed pipe and drain hose through one at a time.

A strange place for the DoC - presumably it's inaccesible when the washing machine is in place!

 

[jtsplumbing]

If unsure ! call in local plumber, cost around £40/50 depending were you live.

 

[IanCun]

Thanks for the feedback guys - that's a big help.

We've got the washer coming on Thursday, so I'll get in anything I need in advance.

So all I need to do is screw on the cold water feed pipe on to the valve with the blue handle, tigten and then open valve. Then, connect the waste water pipe on to the spigot and use a jubilee clip, aiming to get the pipe rising as high as possible. Nothing else needs doing?

We've got units either side of the sink, so I guess the washer would go on the right so that the pipes can come through the hole on the right hand side.

I'd rather have a crack at it rather than calling a plumber out, as I need to learn this sort of stuff sometime - but I'm unsure then I'll give a local one a call and get it connected 🙂.

 

[glenno1]

Ye thats about it but make sure spigot is clear and dont forget to level up the machine