How to Hook Up a Clothes Washing Machine
Whether you have recently moved and need to hook up your old washing machine or you have purchased a new one and need to install it for the first time, you can do the installation yourself without having to call in a professional plumber. The installation process requires much less work than other plumbing projects, which typically require soldering or pipe-cutting. Learn to properly install your washing machine to avoid leaks, water damage in your home or a washer that doesn't operate at all. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Connect the blue cold water supply hose, that came with the washer, to the cold water inlet at the back of the washing machine marked "Cold" or "C." To do so, place the hose into the inlet hole and turn the threaded blue valve to the right until you can no longer turn it by hand.
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2
Connect the red water supply hose, that also comes with your washer, to the hot water inlet in the same manner as you attached the cold water hose. Tighten it as much as you can by hand.
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3
Locate the hot and cold water supply pipes on your laundry room wall. Turn off both valves, if they are not already off, by turning the valves so they run across the pipes rather than along them.
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4
Screw the ends of the water supply hoses onto the water supply pipes. Be sure to screw the cold water hose onto the cold water pipe and the hot water hose onto the hot water pipe. Tighten them by hand as much as you can.
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Stick the end of the flexible vinyl waste water hose, connected at the back of the washer, into a waste water pipe or hang it over the side of a utility sink. The U-bend brace keeps the hose in place in both types of installations. If the U-bend brace, which comes standard with washing machines, is not already fitted to the end of the waste water hose, slide the end of the hose through the guides.
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Check all of the connections to ensure they are as tight as possible. Then use an open-ended wrench or a pair of vise grips to tighten them at least 1/2-turn.
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7
Turn on the cold and hot water supply valves so that they run parallel along the pipes.
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8
Plug the washer's electrical cord into the outlet and start your washing machine. Check for leaks before putting your tools away.
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References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
