It is very difficult in the modern rhythm of life to do without an automatic washing machine. For any housewife, this technique has become an indispensable assistant in everyday life. It is enough just to load dirty laundry, set the desired washing program, turn on the machine in the electrical network, and the hostess can do other household chores for the next couple of hours, and the washing machine will do all the work on its own.
When buying a washing machine, many people, due to inexperience, pay little attention to connecting hoses, considering them to be insignificant details. This is an erroneous opinion. Compliance with the main selection criteria and the installation rules of the hose for the washing machine allows you to increase the period of trouble-free operation of the home assistant.
Types of hoses for an automatic washing machine
To supply clean water and drain dirty liquid, special connecting hoses are included in the set of washing machines. Often, the length of the sleeves does not correspond to the required size for a comfortable installation of the machine in the apartment, so you have to buy hoses separately, fortunately, at present, the distribution network has a wide variety of their brands.
Conventionally, hoses can be divided into the following types:
- The inlet hose for the washing machine is used to connect the unit to the water supply network. Its main purpose is the safe supply of water to the tank of the washing machine, since the calm and safety of the repair of neighbors living on the floor below, which is achieved by the use of quality products, completely depend on this.
- The drain hose for the washing machine is designed to drain water after washing, rinsing or spinning the laundry into the sewer system of the building. They also come with a washing machine, but often they have to be extended or new ones bought.
The device of filling sleeves
Structurally, hoses for washing machines (water hoses) are a tube made of polyvinyl chloride, which is reinforced with a nylon braid. Mounting nuts and fittings are attached to the ends of the hose. One side of this device is attached to the washing machine, and the other is connected to the water supply system of the apartment or private house.
The fittings and nuts are made of plastic, so they must be tightened by hand so as not to damage during installation. Pipe fittings are joined using pressed metal sleeves. The product is digitally labeled, which indicates the maximum temperature and operating pressure (standard pressure 4 bar) of its operation. To prevent the expansion of the hose under water pressure, it is reinforced with several layers of thread.
Types of filling devices
The inlet hose for the washing machine is of the following types:
- standard fixed length from one to five meters;
- up to 10 meters long, which is wound into a bay;
- telescopic type, which, thanks to the corrugated wave, is able to increase in length by the tensile method;
- hoses with Aqua-stop protective system designed to eliminate water leaks.
When buying a hose in a bay, you can cut off the length of the product necessary for installation, after which you need to install the fitting and nut by flaring. The telescopic hose, although it is able to stretch, it is better to use the appropriate length. It is advisable to avoid strong tension on the sleeve.
Aqua-stop system
The protective hose system for the washing machine requires special attention. Since the liquid from the water supply is supplied under high pressure, the hose may not withstand and burst, ruining the property in the house. It is this protection system that can save the owner from trouble. Such a sleeve has a double coating, with a knob filled with special powder or equipped with an electromagnetic valve.
When the sleeve breaks, water enters the place with powder, which expands and shuts off the fluid supply from the tap. If the hose breaks at the exit, water will accumulate in a special pan that is equipped with a float system. Some models are equipped with an emergency pump that pumps out water when the float contacts are triggered.
The hose for a washing machine with an Aqua-stop protection system is only active once in an accident. Re-use of the hose is not possible, therefore it is disposed of. Of course, such an application is considered costly, but guaranteed to help avoid flooding the apartment in the absence of the owner.
Connecting the inlet hose
The filler sleeve has a nut with standard ¾-inch thread at its ends, which connects to the stopcock. In modern homes, the tap connection for the washing unit is designed in advance, which has not been done before. In houses where a special place for connecting the machine is not prepared, you have to make a separate tap of the crane. Connecting to plastic water pipes is simple and easy.
A very common way to connect the hose for the washing machine through the coupling to the mixer. In this case, the mixer is removed, and in its place a crane is screwed to connect the machine. Then, a mixer is installed on top of this device.
There are also special taps with which you can connect the hose to the toilet float valves.
Types of Drain Hoses
The drain hose is designed to drain dirty water after all operating modes of the machine into the sewer system. The following types of hoses for draining water are available on the plumbing equipment market:
- The drain standard sleeve is 1-5 meters long. If necessary, it can be increased using a similar hose.
- The telescopic hose for the washing machine is suitable for almost all models of units. Due to the tensile property, such sleeves are especially widespread.
- The drain hose in the bay consists of individual modules 50-55 cm long welded together, so the required length is gained by the number of individual pieces.
Drain hoses are made of gray polypropylene.
Connection Methods
Connecting the drain hose for the washing machine is not a problem for any owner of the unit. There are two main ways to discharge dirty water into the sewer:
- Temporary drainage is carried out by installing a special bracket made of plastic on the edge of the bathtub or kitchen sink.
- Permanent stationary drainage is arranged by connecting the hose directly to the sewer, using a siphon with special nozzles to which the drains are connected.
Most often, car owners prefer a stationary connection method, as it does not spoil the external interior of the room and completely eliminates the situation when the hose falls from the edge of the sink.
To exclude a large load on the drain pump, the length of the drain sleeve does not suit more than 15 meters. Otherwise, the pump may fail prematurely.
Drain hose extension
The standard equipment of the new machine provides for a drain hose with a length of two meters. But often there is a need to extend the hose of the washing machine. This operation can be done in several ways:
- For joining of individual segments of the hose, a rigid thin-walled polyvinyl chloride tube with a diameter of not more than 20 mm is used, as well as metal clamps to seal the connection.
- In order to flush-mount the drainage system, it is better to use a metal pipe up to 3.5 meters long and 20 mm thick. The main thing is that the joints of the pipes are outside the zone of flush mounting.
- The simplest and most practical option for lengthening the sleeve for draining is to use a telescopic hose, which easily fits in the room without kinks and kinks.
Remember that, despite the apparent simplicity of the connecting hoses, their use and installation must be carried out in compliance with strict rules. Any malfunction of the hoses can lead to water leakage and, as a result, the need to repair the apartment.