How to install a washing machine (part 2)

• Tips for installing a washing machine - drain hose
• Tips for installing a washing machine - water pressure
• Tips for pushing a washing machine in place
  • Tips for installing a washing machine (part 1) subjects -
  • How hard is it to install a washing machine?
  • Tips for installing a washing machine - fill hoses

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Tips for installing a washing machine - Drain hose

Drain hose not long enough?

The drain hose on a new washing machine is not long enough to go very far. Cost cutting has seen washing machine drain hoses reduced to a minimum. The drain hose can be extended using a specially designed connector (obtainable from a plumbers merchant or maybe a DIY store), or you can replace the drain hose with an extra long 2.5 metre drain hose which can be obtained from places like B&Q or online -

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Tips for installing a washing machine - water pressure

Depending on your water pressure, it may be advisable not to turn both washing machine taps on full. Some of the cheaper washing machines can leak from the soap dispenser if the water pressure is too high. If you know you have high cold water pressure, or a combination boiler supplying the hot water at high mains pressure, you may be better off adjusting the water pressure down a little.

Most new washing machines are cold fill only ( cold fill washing machines ) This may mean that you have a hot and cold tap, but only a cold water valve on the washing machine. Just connect up the cold fill hose to the washing machine and leave the hot water tap turned off.To be on the safe side, you should cap off the unused hot water tap by screwing a special blanking cap onto it (obtainable from a plumbers merchant or maybe a DIY store). This is wise because I've heard of several cases where the unused hot tap has started to seep water out, or even where the lever has been knocked partially on and flooded the kitchen. This can happen if the hot tap is in the kitchen sink cupboard or even when the hot tap is behind the washing machine I've heard of cases where the washing machine itself moved about and knocked the lever.

Water pressure too low?

If you have very low water pressure a modern washing machine may not work. This is because they only allow a set time to fill with water and if the correct water level isn't reached in time the washing machine will usually abort the program and report an error.

Most washing machines should work with a minimum pressure of 1 Bar (UK) which is the force required to move water to a height of 10 metres. I am currently researching how you can work out your water pressure without using expensive pressure gauges and will post results on my White goods blog

If your water pressure is too low then the water valve may not shut off properly and water could seep into the washing machine even though it's turned off (unless the tap is turned off). There are other causes of water seeping into a washing machine discussed here - Washing machine fills with water overnight or when not in use

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Tips for pushing a washing machine in place

Most washing machines have feet instead of wheels these days. Pushing a washing machine in place can be easy, or very tricky depending on the floor surface. Walking the washing machine back by pushing one side a little then the other is the best way. Also, push as low down the front of the washing machine as you can. Be careful, Hotpoint washing machines (and other cheaper ones) have flimsy front panels that easily dent. Using knees to push a stubborn washing machine back can be effective, but it can also put several little dents in the washing machine front.

Related: What's best way to pull a washing machine out?