Washing Machine hose question!

Washing Machine hose question!

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Discussion

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,020 posts

218 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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Just over 5 months ago, I noticed a bit of water under the washing machine and heard what I thought was a drip. I pulled it out and spotted a leaky cold water pipe/hose. I bought a new one from B&Q, fitted it and did a few washes to see if it fixed the problem...it did so I pushed my washing machine back in place.

The other day, I heard the same kind of drip, so out came the washing machine again and yes the hose I fitted 5 months ago was leaking. Only lasting a short time was a bit annoying but I thought I'd go out a buy another hose [from Screwfix this time] as they aren't expensive.

This time though, fitting the Screwfix hasn't 100% stopped the leak, so I'm unsure if my new pipe is just crap or if the problem is elsewhere?

My question[s] is, are all cold water pipes the same so I couldn't of bought the wrong 'spec' and should I maybe look to buy a more expensive option than the bog-standard B&Q/Screwfix ones?

Cheers smile

LordHaveMurci

12,042 posts

169 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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Sounds like the leak is somewhere else & making it's way down the hose?

RobXjcoupe

3,171 posts

91 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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Where abouts on the pipe does it leak? If it’s the screw on fitting it could need the washers replacing and a bit of ptfe around the threaded part of the male fitting

guindilias

5,245 posts

120 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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The pipes are the cheapest trash possible, they seem to compete to make them as badly as they can - no idea where you'd get a good one. Maybe as a spare from a decent washing machine company - my Miele one has never had a problem and it's about 25 years old now!
But I'm sure that would cost you an arm and a leg, maybe worth it to stop the leaks though?

Update - £55 sound fair enough? biggrin

From here, genuine Miele they say. Not even blue!!!! https://www.buyspares.co.uk/miele/washing-machine/...

I think I'd wrap a cheapo from end to end with amalgamating tape...

Edit - forgot link!

Edited by guindilias on Thursday 11th October 13:09

Simpo Two

85,417 posts

265 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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My WM developed a leak at the back not long after I fitted it.

The cat had brought a mouse which had taken refuge behind the WM and eaten a hole through the hose to escape. He'd been there a while as he'd got some fluff for bedding in the corner and a little stash of cat biscuits to eat. Bear Grylls Mouse smile

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,020 posts

218 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
RobXjcoupe said:
Where abouts on the pipe does it leak? If it’s the screw on fitting it could need the washers replacing and a bit of ptfe around the threaded part of the male fitting
The leak is at the end that joins 'the house' as appose to the machine itself [if that makes sense] and yes it does seem to be coming from the plastic screw section of the hose.

When you say the washer, do you mean the washer on my new hose [as that's obviously brand new]?!

I think my plan is to buy yet another hose [and take the Screwfix back] to see if that makes a difference....just wasn't sure if I should be looking to buy a more quality one, if there is such a thing?


Sheepshanks

32,752 posts

119 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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How tight are you screwing them up? They're supposed to be hand tight, although in practice that can vary quite a bit depending on how good your grip is and how strong you are!

I (softy office worker) do them hand tight then nip up just a touch with a tool. I also put a smear of Fernox LS-X on the rubber washer, ideally both sides of it but sometimes the washers don't come out easily and you don't want to tear it.

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,020 posts

218 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
guindilias said:
The pipes are the cheapest trash possible, they seem to compete to make them as badly as they can - no idea where you'd get a good one. Maybe as a spare from a decent washing machine company - my Miele one has never had a problem and it's about 25 years old now!
But I'm sure that would cost you an arm and a leg, maybe worth it to stop the leaks though?

Update - £55 sound fair enough? biggrin

From here, genuine Miele they say. Not even blue!!!! https://www.buyspares.co.uk/miele/washing-machine/...

I think I'd wrap a cheapo from end to end with amalgamating tape...

Edit - forgot link!

Edited by guindilias on Thursday 11th October 13:09
Man, for £55 I'd want it to last 25 years! I wonder if the plastic screw ends are better quality, as appose to just the material of the hose itself?

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,020 posts

218 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
Sheepshanks said:
How tight are you screwing them up? They're supposed to be hand tight, although in practice that can vary quite a bit depending on how good your grip is and how strong you are!

I (softy office worker) do them hand tight then nip up just a touch with a tool. I also put a smear of Fernox LS-X on the rubber washer, ideally both sides of it but sometimes the washers don't come out easily and you don't want to tear it.
I always worry about screwing this to tight! Reckon I've got quite a healthy grip...maybe I'll try giving it another turn!!

RobXjcoupe

3,171 posts

91 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
BUG4LIFE said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Where abouts on the pipe does it leak? If it’s the screw on fitting it could need the washers replacing and a bit of ptfe around the threaded part of the male fitting
The leak is at the end that joins 'the house' as appose to the machine itself [if that makes sense] and yes it does seem to be coming from the plastic screw section of the hose.

When you say the washer, do you mean the washer on my new hose [as that's obviously brand new]?!

I think my plan is to buy yet another hose [and take the Screwfix back] to see if that makes a difference....just wasn't sure if I should be looking to buy a more quality one, if there is such a thing?
If you are not getting the fitting to seal you may need a thicker or 2 washers. Sounds like the outer plastic thread is bottoming out before suitable clamping pressure is made against the rubber washer within. I’m sure a double washer will stop that leaking

guindilias

5,245 posts

120 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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BUG4LIFE said:
Man, for £55 I'd want it to last 25 years! I wonder if the plastic screw ends are better quality, as opposed to just the material of the hose itself?
Mine are actually brass ended, like a proper garden hose setup. Probably why it's lasted so long. Not a "hand tighten" job either, it's about a 22mm hex, maybe bigger, from what I remember, and gets tight, then the washer inside was so squishy it took about another two turns to feel "proper" if you know what I mean - good and tight but not stripping anything.

guindilias

5,245 posts

120 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
quotequote all
This sort of thing, but not a "y" feed - just decent quality stuff. Suppose you could always buy one and blank off the spare with a stop end, but I bet if you look you could find one.
Otherwise maybe a hydraulic hose maker, who knock hoses up to order? Would probably cost a fortune for one, but maybe you could sell them to the PH elite - bit of Kevlar reinforcement in the hose itself as well, perhaps? biggrin

Elrikos

39 posts

134 months

Thursday 11th October 2018
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Just a thought, have you had a look at the seating face of the valve you're screwing the hose onto? Possible that it has a flaw that's allowing the leak. You've replaced one half of the sealing connection several times, perhaps it's the other side, which hasn't changed.

BUG4LIFE

Original Poster:

2,020 posts

218 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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Elrikos said:
Just a thought, have you had a look at the seating face of the valve you're screwing the hose onto? Possible that it has a flaw that's allowing the leak. You've replaced one half of the sealing connection several times, perhaps it's the other side, which hasn't changed.
I did think the problem could be with the 'pipe' I'm screwing my new hose onto...which is something I don't have the skills to fix?!

Anyway, I tightened the hose a little more and did a couple of washes and all seems fine at the moment, no leak! I think I'll do a few more washes before pushing the WM back in place, just in case.

I wish it wasn't such a PITA to pull the bloody WM out, or that the cold water pipe wasn't so inaccessible [behind the machine], as I could check every so often. Do they make WM's with wheels, cos they should!!

8-P

2,758 posts

260 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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Pipe grips every time to tighten it properly

Sheepshanks

32,752 posts

119 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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BUG4LIFE said:
I wish it wasn't such a PITA to pull the bloody WM out, or that the cold water pipe wasn't so inaccessible [behind the machine], as I could check every so often. Do they make WM's with wheels, cos they should!!
I don't know if there are better ideas, but I've got a pair of these https://www.espares.co.uk/product/es977553?utm_sou... which I got with some machine or other years ago.

I don't leave them in place, but to get the machine out just lift the front feet a liitle and slide them under, then the machine slides more easily. Much longer ones would be more useful. I've heard of repairers using a large sheet of thin perspex type stuff as a slide.


guindilias

5,245 posts

120 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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I have 4 little Teflon discs that slide over vinyl etc. easily, can't see them being very expensive - the movers left about 20 of them behind when they brought everything in!

dickymint

24,331 posts

258 months

Thursday 18th October 2018
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Just wrap a bit of PTFE tape around the thread.