Instructions for the ideal husband: how to connect a washing machine?

It is not as difficult to connect an automatic washing machine as it seems. This is a profitable solution, because the help of a master is not cheap. However, connection errors can lead to the breakdown of valuable equipment, so before you get to work, you need to figure out what and how to do it. We will talk about all the nuances of the installation, as well as share some tips from professionals in the field of connecting washing machines.

Options for placing cars in the apartment

First of all, it is worth considering the question of exactly where the machine will stand. Unlike old activator-type washing units, the automatic machine is connected to the sewer and the water supply system, so moving it after installation will be very problematic. So, you need to carefully think through all the points in advance.

A number of requirements are imposed on the installation site:

• Smooth and durable floor. A concrete screed is best suited, but a well-laid tile or other durable coating is also suitable.
• Access to water and wastewater pipes.
• Access to an electrical outlet. Ideally, if you can connect the machine directly, and not through an extension cord.
• Adequate space to accommodate the machine itself and access to the laundry loading hatch. Well, if there is the possibility of approaching from the sides, in order to be able to get objects that have fallen behind the machine.

Usually, the connection is made in the bathroom or in the kitchen, since in these rooms there is unhindered access to water and sewage. But this is far from always optimal. In many apartments, the area of ​​the kitchen and bathroom is small, and the constant humidity in these rooms does not contribute to the durability of the device. There are options for installing the machine in the corridor or utility room.

An interesting solution is to place the machine under the sink. This option takes up unused space. The only difficulty is to properly match the sink. The siphon and all communications must be connected at the back so that there is enough space.

What do you need when connecting?

Before starting work, prepare in advance all the tools and materials necessary for connection:

• First of all, you need a non-slip rubber mat or a set of anti-vibration feet.
• To make the connection, you need adjustable wrenches and gas wrenches, a screwdriver, a bubble building level.
• Also prepare materials for sealing - combed linen or tape FUM.

In each case, the described set is expanding due to tools and materials dictated by the connection method. So, to work with plastic pipes, you need a soldering iron, for metal water pipes - a tee and welding.

Remove the transportation bolts

You need to start the connection work by removing the packaging and fasteners. It is forbidden to turn on the machine before, since damage is inevitable. At the same time, any damage due to the remaining transportation bolts is considered not to be repaired under warranty.

All fasteners must be preserved, as they are useful when moving or contacting the service. It is undesirable to transport the machine with an unsecured drum, as this can lead to breakdowns.

The following hardware must be removed:

• Staples holding the hose and power cord.
• Bars nested between the drum and the body. It is enough to tilt the machine forward, and they will easily succumb.
• Bolts holding the drum in place. Plastic plugs are immediately inserted into the bolt holes.

To find out how to remove the transportation fasteners correctly, the instructions will help. The location and number of bolts varies for units from different manufacturers. Therefore, do not neglect the instructions.

Water connection

This is the most critical part of the job. The first question when connecting is which pipe to connect the machine to. Most manufacturers recommend serving cold water. Then the machine itself will heat the water to the desired temperature using the heater.

Sometimes they make a connection to hot water in order to save energy on heating. But this solution has several drawbacks:

• Hot water contains more salts that form scale. Submission of it to the washing machine will cause rapid overgrowth of the heater.
• If you pay for hot water on a meter, the savings are dubious: paying an electric bill is cheaper.

There are models that have two inputs. They are connected to both hot and cold water at the same time. But most cars on the Russian market have only one input.

The water supply hose that comes with the machine is short (about 0.6–0.7 m). Often this length is not enough to connect. Plumbing stores sell longer hoses (3 m or more). The hose is screwed at one end to the input on the rear wall of the machine. For the second end of the hose, a tie-in into the water supply is needed. How to make it? There are several options.

Crimp fitting

A crimp sleeve will help to tack into a metal pipe. This plumbing fixture consists of two halves that are put on the pipe anywhere and pulled together with four bolts. For tightness, a gasket is laid between the coupling halves and the pipe.

One of the two halves has a threaded bend. When the clutch is put on, a hole in the pipe is drilled through it (you will need an electric drill and a drill for metal). The insert is ready, it remains to fasten the ball valve to the branch, and to it - the second end of the water supply hose.

Inserting into a metal plastic using a fitting

For a metal-plastic pipe, the crimp sleeve is not suitable, since when tightened, it simply crushes the wall.

To crash into the water supply, use a fitting. It is attached as follows:

1. A piece corresponding to the size of the fitting is cut out of the pipe.
2. Fasten connecting rings with nuts.
3. The ends of the pipe to which the tee will be attached are expanded by a calibrator.
4. Fittings fittings are inserted into the ends of the pipe.
5. Push the o-rings to the joints, tighten the nuts.

It is better to screw the ball valve to the fitting outlet in advance and seal the connection. If you do this after installation, it is easy to damage the pipe.

If the pipes are made of polypropylene, you will need a plastic tee with a metal thread inserted into the branch. To fix it in a section, you need a "soldering iron" for plastic pipes.

Connection using a tee

The easiest way, suitable for beginners. The insert is made at the place of water supply to the drain tank or at the place of pipe attachment to the mixer. You will need a plumbing tee equipped with a ball valve. It is enough to unscrew the water supply hose, screw the tee and screw the hose to the other end of the tee.

This option has several disadvantages:

• If the feed is through a mixer, you will have to shut off the water on the faucet with each wash.
• The hose from the machine will be in sight, which does not look too aesthetically pleasing. You can fix the matter by hiding the hose in a decorative box.

If the option of connecting to the mixer is rather a temporary measure, then the machine can be connected on a permanent basis to the place of water supply to the tank. Unfortunately, this option is only possible in combined bathrooms or when the machine is located close to the toilet, through a partition.

Connecting a washing machine without running water

If there is no running water in the house, you can connect the machine to a volumetric water tank. There are two ways to provide pressure:

• By gravity. In that case, the tank should be located at least a meter above the entry point into the machine. So usually connect the car to the cottages or in other temporary housing.
• Install and connect the pump station. This option is more reliable, but associated with high costs. Therefore, it is used for permanent residence in the house without a centralized water supply.

The tank will ensure stable operation of the machine, only you need to remember to periodically add water.

Where to bring the drain hose?

Connection of the drain pipe to the sewer is necessary to remove dirty water remaining after washing.

Drain into the bath or toilet

The simplest solution is to drain the washing machine into the toilet or sink. In this case, the sewer system does not require alterations, but it is important not to forget to check the hose before starting the wash and in the process. Otherwise, you may find that the corrugation has jumped out of its place and dirty water is draining onto the floor.

The outlet end of the drain hose cannot be raised higher than 1 m from the floor, because the machine simply cannot create enough pressure to raise the drains to such a height. Also, do not bend the hose at sharp angles or lay it in loops, because it is dangerous to clog the corrugation.

Siphon drain

If there is a sink near the machine, it is easy to connect the drain hose to its siphon. To do this, remove the old siphon and install in its place a special product equipped with a hose outlet from the washing machine. You can buy such a siphon in a plumbing store.

Another option for this solution is to connect to a tee inserted in the place where the hose from the sink enters the sewer lounger.

Sewer drain

If the sink is far away, the main connection is made directly to the plank bed - a horizontal sewer pipe. You will need a tee and a sealing sleeve for the hose.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Cut the sunbed, cut a piece equal to the length of the tee.
2. Insert the tee into the cut.
3. Fit a sealing sleeve on the drain hose. It is needed because the diameter of the sunbed is significantly larger than the diameter of the drain corrugation.
4. Insert the hose into the tee, seal the hole with a sealing sleeve.

For additional protection against leaks, the compounds can be treated with plumbing silicone sealant.

Mains connection

To provide the washing machine with electric power, it is connected to a 220 V household network. In most apartments, the bathroom does not have sockets or electrical wiring. Extension cords are used as a temporary solution, but this option cannot be called convenient and safe. It is much better to draw an additional line and install an outlet for the machine.

Safety regulations require that the machine body be grounded. If there is no ground wire in the junction box, the contact is connected to a grounded busbar in the electrical panel. It is forbidden to connect the ground to the water supply or heating pipe, as this is fraught with electrical injury.

For more confidence, find out how much the help of a professional electrician costs. If you decide to make the connection yourself, do not forget that according to the standards it is permissible to use copper wires with a core thickness of at least 1.5 mm. The socket in the bathroom must have a water protection and a cover to protect it from splashing water.

Leveling

To prevent the washing machine from “jumping” during the spin cycle, it is set according to the level. To do this, twist the adjustable legs, controlling the horizontal of the top cover with a bubble level. The level is placed first along the front wall, then along the back. Then do a check along the right and left edges.

If the floor is lined with tiles or other hard and slippery surfaces, the machine can vibrate during the spin cycle, even when exposed with perfect accuracy. Anti-vibration feet or a rubber mat will solve the problem.

We are testing

When you first turn on, you need to check a few points:

• Are there any leaks in the compounds. If there is, tighten the nuts.
• Are there any extraneous sounds.
• Is the spin good?
• Does the socket or wire coming from it heat up?

If the machine works well in all modes, you can congratulate yourself on a successful installation. Such an installation will not only save money, but also help to better understand the operating principle of the washing machine, which will affect the service life.