Connecting your washing machine to hot and cold water involves attaching the correct hoses to the designated water valves on the back of the appliance and the corresponding supply valves on your wall.
Essential Steps for Connecting Water Hoses
To ensure a proper connection for both hot and cold water, follow these steps carefully:
- Identify the Hoses: You will have two fill hoses, typically color-coded (often red for hot and blue for cold) or labeled.
- Locate Water Valves: Find the water inlet valves on the back of your washing machine. These are usually threaded connections. Similarly, locate the hot and cold water supply valves on your wall.
- Connect to Washer:
- Connect the hot water hose to the hot water inlet valve on the back of the washer.
- Connect the cold water hose to the cold water inlet valve on the back of the washer.
- Pro Tip: Ensure the rubber washers are seated correctly inside the hose connectors before tightening.
- Connect to Supply:
- Connect the other end of the hot water hose to the hot water supply valve on the wall.
- Connect the other end of the cold water hose to the cold water supply valve on the wall. As referenced in the provided information, the cold hose typically connects to the water valve hookup marked with a CE.
- Tighten Connections:
- Hand Tighten First: Hand tighten all four connections (two on the washer, two on the wall) until snug.
- Tighten Further: As the reference indicates, after hand tightening, tighten each connection another two-thirds of a turn using channel lock pliers. Be careful not to overtighten, which can damage the connections.
Quick Connection Checklist
| Step | Action | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify Hoses | Red for Hot, Blue for Cold (or labeled) | N/A |
| 2. Locate Valves | On washer back and wall | N/A |
| 3. Connect to Washer | Hot hose to hot inlet, Cold hose to cold inlet | Hand |
| 4. Connect to Wall Valves | Hot hose to hot supply, Cold hose to cold supply (Cold often marked CE) | Hand |
| 5. Initial Tightening | Hand tighten all connections | Hand |
| 6. Final Tightening | Tighten an additional 2/3 turn | Channel Lock Pliers |
Important Considerations
- Always ensure the main water supply is turned OFF before starting the installation.
- Use new hoses if your old ones show signs of wear or are stiff. Most manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every 3-5 years.
- Check for leaks after turning the water supply back on. If a leak occurs, turn the water off, re-tighten the connection carefully, or check the rubber washer.
By following these steps and paying attention to proper tightening techniques, you can securely connect your washing machine to the hot and cold water supply.
