[Kate D]

Ok, bear with me please! Here’s a classic idiot’s question.

Got a UK front loading washing machine to plumb in. In the UK, my taps under the sink were permanently in the on position, and I presume there were some internal valve(s) that opened when the washing machine drew in the water via the hose, otherwise no water flowed. I’m pretty sure it’s a cold fill machine anyway if that makes any difference. Here if I turn the washing machine taps to on, water flows immediately! So, just attaching the hose and turning the taps on is obviously not an option. With me so far?

When I went into Mitre 10 and attempted to explain (badly obviously) that I thought I was after some kind of valve to apply between the taps and the hose, the guy seemed to roughly know what I was after, but they didn’t stock it and he referred me to a plumbers suppliers. So, instead of being red faced in a shop in front of one person, I thought I’d go the whole hog and get the embarrassment with over here. As I’m sure this has been done countless times before by loads of folks out there, can anyone advise me what it is I am looking for exactly so I know what to ask for?

Thanks!

Kate

[zardell]

Oooeer!!

My UK front loader is a cold feed and we just attached the pipe directly to the 'screw thingy' (very technical!) on the tap and the tap is permanently on the on position just as it was in the UK.

Same applied now we (and the washing machine)are in Oz.

Wonder if your machine has been damaged?

Sorry - I'm not much help am I?

Julie

xx

[Kate D]

Er, I haven't actually attached the machine yet, just tried turning the tap on first...But I still thought a valve would be at the tap end rather than the washing machine end... Could I have got that completely wrong?

You can see why I called it an idiot's question though:confused:

[Jo Jo]

The valves are in the washing machine. Turn the tap off and connect the machine, then turn the tap on and it should all be okay. (It was for ours)

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Ah. OK.

Attach the hose(es) to the taps by screwing them into place, then turn the taps on and leave them on. Usually you need to semi-dislocate your shoulders to poke the hose ends up under the sink and do everything by touch alone, but it's (a bit) easier than it sounds.

No valve at tap end. Turn tap on - flood garage. All the same here.

[Kate D]

Thanks guys - I knew you'd come up with the goods!

I only turned the tap on a tiny bit to check, no flooding so I got that bit right :D 'Course the dislocation is still to come as I try to get the wrench in to disconnect the sink contraption (what ARE they about exactly with all that space for a basic sink??) just to make space for the washing machine in the "laundry", or in my case, the cupboard...!

Kate

[nippa&pippa]

Our washing machine is also cold water feed front loader, we had few goes before get it right as did flood our laundry room twice by hot water taps.. :o
We attached our hose onto washing sink by rangehood (and tape hot water tap over to prevent anyone accidently switch it on!!) and switch cold water tap on all the time. The machine do the job of controlling water.

[zardell]

'Course the dislocation is still to come as I try to get the wrench in to disconnect the sink contraption



Eh??

Do you mean for the used water to drain out of the machine? If so, why not pop the drain pipe from the machine into the sink? Or do you have to plumb it in??

Let us know how you get on......pleeeease.

I'm :confused: and intrigued.

:exit

Julie

xx

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Me too. Should be no need to use any tools.

[Kate D]

Er, the "sink contraption" is the sink that stands adjacent to where the washing machine is supposed to go, for hand washing presumably. But there isn't enough room for my front loader as well (it really is more of a largish cupboard than a laundry room), unless I disconnect the sink and move it to the garage. I'm happy to do this as it's a sink with a cupboard underneath that just takes up dead space and I won't use it. So two sets of taps - one for the sink and one for the washing machine. But disconnecting the sink is the tricky bit in terms of being able to reach around to the back with a wrench without doing myself an injury. A risk I am prepared to take to have my washing machine functioning and tucked away in the cupboard rather than protruding out into my kitchen:yes 'Course, if I do myself an injury in the process, I might think differently!

Hope that makes sense now!

Kate

[zardell]

But disconnecting the sink is the tricky bit in terms of being able to reach around to the back with a wrench without doing myself an injury. A risk I am prepared to take to have my washing machine functioning and tucked away in the cupboard rather than protruding out into my kitchen:yes 'Course, if I do myself an injury in the process, I might think differently!

Hope that makes sense now!

Kate


Good luck Kate - you're a braver girl than I.

Julie

xx

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

It does. I think. Good luck. Sounds like this job is turning into a mjor refurbishment scheme.

Fingers crossed you don't get washed down the street on a tide of lukewarm water. It's not really the weather for that sort of caper.

[chocolate cake]

My rental's got one of those sink thingyees with the drawer underneath, I suppose it's handy having a sink next to the washing machine, but I can't understand the price of the damn things, they're not cheap for what they are.