Today, almost every apartment or private house has a washing machine. Such household appliances are able to facilitate the life of the owners as much as possible. This is a rather complicated household appliance, regardless of type and model, requiring additional work for its operation. One of them is connecting the washing machine to the water supply system. To complete this task, it is necessary to install an additional plumbing product to which the device hose will be connected.
The tap for connecting the washing machine to the water supply is an integral part of the system. It performs the function of unobstructed flow of water in the lever position "open", and in the "closed" position does not allow its passage.
Types of cranes and their distinctive properties
The construction market offers a wide range of data devices used when connecting washing equipment to the water supply network. They can be divided into two types:
- Spherical water tap. An element of overlapping water is a ball, arranged in the inner plane of the tap.
- Multi-turn plumbing products. In this crane, the plate performs the function of obstructing the passage of water flow.
Faucets for connecting the washing machine to the water supply are available in a variety of models, differing in the geometry of the shapes, the basis of the material, dimensions and related equipment items. When purchasing a product, you should pay attention to the basis of the material, since the period of operation depends on its quality indicators.
The most popular option is brass products. In their production, an alloy of brass is used. The base of the material may be nickel plated. The advantage of such water taps is a long service life and a high strength indicator. The disadvantage is the high price.
Products made on the basis of silumin alloy with additives have low strength indicators and short service life.
Varieties of Ball Valves
The most popular are ball products, based on their quality characteristics: a simple structural system, quick shutoff of water intake, compactness of the product, a variety of handles that provide an open / close function. Types of ball valves, differing in geometric shape and structural system:
- Three-way sanitary ware. It has three holes, one of them is designed to shut off the water supply, and the rest connect several branches of the water flows into one branch. It is used when connecting several household units to the water supply.
- Globe valve. This option has openings on two sides of the casing for the passage of a stream of water. Installation of a through-tap will be the best option in the event that an extensive water supply system has already been formed.
- Corner crane. This is an analogue of a flow crane, made in a different geometric shape. It is used when a separate pipe is removed to connect the washing machine and it is necessary to change the water flow at an angle of 90 about . The corner option is suitable for rooms where there is a space limit.
- Ball valve with extended stem. As a rule, it is used in those cases when it is difficult to operate a conventional sanitary ware.
Device marking
The taps for connecting the washing machine to the water supply are marked as follows:
- DN is the value of the inner diameter.
- PN is a measure of pressure.
- NL or LF - type of material (brass).
- Manufacturer logo.
- Release date.
Features of the choice of ball valve
When choosing any type of ball valve, experts recommend that consumers pay special attention to certain signs.
- Appearance. The crane must not have mechanical damage or cracks. The thickness of its walls is the same, and the surface is smooth and even.
- Marking on the product body. If it is absent, you should not purchase products, since it can be made of low-quality material and without observing the production technology.
- Structural system of the overlap mechanism. The product is made in a triple and multi-turn system. The most acceptable is a triple structural system.
- Thread. It can be formed both in the inner plane of the crane and on the outside. The tap is selected according to the thread of the pipe.
- The size of the diameter. This indicator should strictly correspond to the pipe where it will be mounted. It is best to resolve this issue before going to the store. If the diameters of the metal water pipe and the tap do not match, a transition adapter can be used.
- The geometry of the regulatory element. The product can be provided with a lever in the form of a "butterfly" or a steel narrow handle. It is he who ensures the functioning of the open / close system. With its help, the level of flow of water passage is regulated. It should be comfortable and not slip in the hand when performing certain actions.
Undoubtedly, to install a faucet for connecting the washing machine to the water supply, you can turn to specialists who provide plumbing services for help, which will require additional financial costs, but you can do the work yourself.
Place of installation
When choosing a machine installation location, the location of the communications system must be taken into account. It should be near the location of the unit, since the processes of connecting to the water supply system and draining the water into the sewer system should be performed. During the process of connecting to the water supply system, it is necessary to install the crane. It should be installed in an accessible and visible place, which will quickly and efficiently block the flow of water using a tap, setting it in the "closed" position, for example, in the event of a machine failure. You should also pay attention to the possibility of free movement of the lever of the crane. When cornering, there should be no obstacles.
Required Toolkit
To carry out the work you will need:
- A filter that performs the action of purifying the water mass from contamination.
- Teflon sealant (fum tape) applied to the joints between the pipe and the tap. It provides a structural system with tightness and durability.
- Wrench, performing the function of connecting elements with threads.
- Thread cutting tool.
If the crane is mounted on plastic pipes:
- pipe cutting scissors;
- a calibrator that performs end face processing after cutting a pipe.
Installation of a tap at the water supply system
To perform installation work, it is recommended to adhere to the following instructions:
- Determine the location of the crane.
- Shut off the cold water supply. This action is performed using a crane mounted on the plane of the riser or the inlet pipe of the water supply system.
- Drain the remaining water in the pipes.
- Cut a specific part of the pipe corresponding to the size indicators of the length of the valve and filter. Scissors are used to perform cutting operations on plastic pipes, and a “Bulgarian” cutting tool is used for metal pipes.
- Cut the thread of the desired diameter at the end of the cut down drain pipe.
- Install a filter. It will protect the washing machine from contamination and various impurities in the water.
- Winding fum tape on the pipe thread.
- Connect the water tap to the pipe. A pointer is marked on the body of the installed product. It indicates the direction of flow of the water mass. This feature must be followed. When using plastic pipes, the diameter of the pipe should be expanded using a calibrator.
- Using a wrench, tighten the union nut.
Connections of the crane to the washing machine
When buying a washing machine of any model, you will receive a hose kit designed for water to enter the system of the unit. It has a standard length and is made of unreinforced single-layer material. In case of a mismatch of its length for connection, you can purchase a new one at specialized retail outlets.
To determine the length of the hose, measure the distance from the connection point on the washing machine to the place of the installed tap. To this indicator should be added 10-12% of the obtained distance. This increase is necessary for uniform free positioning of the hose. This will avoid pulling and twisting the hose.
Connection Instructions
Experts recommend sticking to the following work plan.
- On the back side of the unit housing there is a special hole prepared by the manufacturers, to which a hose must be connected.
- Remove the plugs from the nuts at the end points of the hose.
- Attach the end of the hose equipped with a nut with a slight bend to the hole located on the machine. When connecting, it is necessary to additionally seal the joints using a fluoroplastic sealant.
- Attach the other end of the hose to the installed tap using a nut.
- Turn on the water supply and check the connection points for leaks. If water leakage is detected, it is necessary to dismantle the connection and re-install using the necessary gaskets.
Conclusion
Types of taps for connecting the washing machine to the water supply, sizes, thread can be different. Therefore, before purchasing a plumbing product, you should consult a specialist regarding the features of your system or entrust the choice of a device to a professional who will install and connect household appliances.