Changing a washing machine inlet hose involves disconnecting the old hose and connecting a new one securely to both the water supply and the washer.
How to Replace Your Washing Machine Inlet Hoses
Replacing worn or leaky washing machine inlet hoses is a crucial maintenance task to prevent potential water damage. Here's a simple guide:
Before You Begin: Safety First!
- Unplug the Washer: Ensure the machine is completely disconnected from the electrical outlet.
- Turn Off Water Supply: Locate the hot and cold water valves behind the washing machine and turn them off completely (usually a knob or handle you turn clockwise).
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps carefully to replace your washing machine hoses:
- Prepare for Drainage: Place a bucket or towels behind the washer to catch residual water when you disconnect the old hoses.
- Disconnect Old Hoses from Washer: Using pliers or an adjustable wrench, loosen the couplings where the hoses connect to the back of the washing machine. Have your bucket ready as you detach them.
- Disconnect Old Hoses from Wall: Next, disconnect the other end of the hoses from the hot and cold water valves on the wall. More water will drain out, so keep the bucket handy.
- Inspect and Clean: Check the connection points on the washer and wall for any debris or corrosion and clean if necessary.
- Install New Hoses:
- Connect the new hoses to the back of the washing machine. Ensure you connect the hose labeled "Hot" (often red striped or marked) to the hot inlet on the washer and the "Cold" (often blue striped or marked) to the cold inlet.
- Hand-tighten the couplings until snug.
- Then, use pliers or an adjustable wrench to give each coupling an additional quarter turn. Do not overtighten, as this can damage the connection.
- Connect the other ends of the new hoses to the corresponding hot and cold water valves on the wall using the same hand-tightening followed by a quarter turn with a wrench method.
- Restore Water Supply: Turn the water back on by slowly turning the water supply valves on the wall counter-clockwise.
- Check for Leaks: Carefully inspect all four connection points (two at the washer, two at the wall) for any signs of leaks. If you see dripping, slightly tighten the connection, but be careful not to strip the threads.
- Test the Washer: Run a short wash cycle (like a rinse and spin) and monitor the connections for leaks while the water pressure is active.
- Finalize Setup: Once you are confident there are no leaks, plug the washer back in. Move the washer back into its usual position.
Choosing the Right Hoses
When selecting replacement hoses, consider:
- Type: Standard rubber hoses are common but can deteriorate. Stainless steel braided hoses are more durable and burst-resistant, offering greater peace of mind.
- Length: Ensure the hoses are long enough to connect comfortably without being stretched or kinked.
- Quantity: You will need two hoses (one for hot, one for cold).
Taking the time to replace old or questionable hoses is a simple preventative measure that can save you from significant water damage down the line.
