Washing machine faucet: design overview + installation instructions

Tee for connecting the washing machine to the water supply

When buying a new washing machine or when moving, you face the task of connecting the device to the water supply. For this purpose, a faucet called a tee is most often used.

purpose

The idea that a tee faucet for a washing machine is not so important appears in many people. Such users, most likely, do not know the concept of water hammer in water pipes, as a result of which both a metal and a metal-plastic pipe can disperse along the seam.And if the inlet hose is connected directly to the water supply, there is a big risk that it will break due to such a water hammer, which will lead to water flows in the apartment.

Using a tee crane will save you from having to redo repairs both in your apartment and those of the neighbors below. And it is the tee that is especially convenient, as it allows several household appliances to be inserted into the water supply at once, for example, a dishwasher and a washing machine.

Types of cranes

In connecting the washing machine can be used:

• Tees or faucets. They are used for tapping into the pipeline.
• Angle taps. They are chosen if you need to connect equipment to a separate branch.

Each type of these valves is valve, ball or through passage. The differences lie in the way the water is blocked in such taps. In addition, they may differ in the material from which they are made (usually brass or silumin).

Which one is better to install?

Choosing the right crane should be primarily based on your skills and financial capabilities. The choice of faucet type should be based on the budget of the purchase, and not on the location of the washing machine.

The most economical and simple is the through crane, since it does not require special tools for its installation. By connecting such a tap to the water supply hose, the washing machine can be connected to a faucet, washbasin, water heater (to a pipe supplying water to the heater tank) or even to a drain tank (both after the hose and before it)

When choosing a through valve, it is important to pay attention to the direction of its lever so that it does not rest against the wall and it is easy to get close to it.

To connect the tee, you need to prepare a gas key and a set of keys.Also, for work, you will need a FUM tape, which must be wound onto the thread. After tightening the connection with a gas wrench, you need to check its tightness. Installing a tee on old pipes is not recommended.

If you are going to install an angle valve, you should purchase an additional pipe. You will also need a special tee that is installed in pipe sections. In general, the installation of an angle faucet is the same as connecting a tee faucet, that is, you need to use the FUM tape by wrapping it around the thread. Then the valve is screwed into the pipe, and a hose from the machine is connected to it. Next, the connection is tightened with a gas wrench.

Ways to connect to the water supply

Metal pipe

The easiest way is to connect the machine to a place where there is already a tee for a faucet, toilet or dishwasher. Having disconnected the hose of the device, another tee crane is installed in its place. Both previously connected plumbing and a faucet for a washing machine are inserted into its outlets.

If a tee has not been previously installed on the pipe and you do not have the opportunity to use a “vampire”, you need to make a tie-in. Having cut out a part of the line, you will have to make a thread, and then connect the tee.

Metal-plastic pipe

To install a tee on plastic pipes, a special tool is required and the correct selection of a tee with fittings that are joined with metal-plastic pipes. Using special scissors, it is necessary to perform high-quality crimping of the bends. If you don’t have such scissors and you haven’t worked with metal-plastic pipes before, it’s better to invite a specialist to connect the machine.

Alternatives

Instead of a tee tap, you may prefer to install a tee fitting.After cutting the pipe, such a fitting is installed between its segments, and then a pipe is inserted into its free hole, which goes to the washing machine. This is both a simple and inexpensive way, but it cannot be called very reliable. Fitting seals wear out over time, leading to leakage.

Also, the tee valve can be replaced with a conventional ball valve. Its reliability is as high as that of a specialized crane, while the cost is much lower.

Types of through valves for a washing machine

The method is considered the simplest and most economical, install the equipment on the pipe-hose connection.

You can install the valve in the place of water supply to:

• wash basin;
• toilet cistern hose;
• kitchen faucet;
• water heater.

Corner washing machine faucet

Manufacturers produce devices with different directions, so try to choose such models so that their lever is easy to use and accessible, and does not rest against the wall. Conventionally, the direction can be called - left and right.

Based on practice, many experts recommend using in this case through passage valves from two manufacturers:

• Arco;
• Fornara (marked with a blue flag).

Recommendations

Consider which tap to put on the washing machine and where in different cases:

1. When a tap is already installed in front of the hose, for example, on a drain tank, it does not matter - before or after it, you decide to install a tee valve to connect the washing machine.
2. If the hose is connected to a water heater, and you decide to connect a washing machine to it, the tap on the latter must be installed between the main line and the tap on the water heater.Then you can do laundry at any time, and not when the hot water is turned off.
3. When installing a washing machine in a kitchen where there is an old generation faucet, and it is still connected to pipes and not hoses, it is better to replace it rather than try to use a mortise clamp.

Here you will get by with one pass-through crane:

• take GAS KEY;
• unscrew the locknut as far as possible. The procedure is likely to require force, especially when the pipe is painted. We recommend unscrewing the nut gradually, periodically unscrewing it back;
• twist the coupling after it, which will go easier along the knurled thread. In this case, try to free the thread from the tow, also twisting the clutch back periodically;
• the end of the pipe can be torn due to corrosion and time, so make a flat plane with a file. Then the gasket of the flexible hose will be tightly and evenly pressed against the end.

In the photo - you can clearly see how to connect the washing machine to the tap

Water connection

Connecting the washing machine to the water supply begins after removing the transport bolts and installing an electrical socket with earth. Use the standard inlet hose that comes with the washer for this.

Step by step instructions for connecting to the water supply:

1. Screw the inlet hose at one end to the inlet located at the back of the machine. Secure it firmly with the union nut.
2. Connect the other end to the water supply through the faucet under the washing machine.

Make sure that the inlet hose is not twisted or kinked.Seal the threaded connections between the faucet and the hose with a rubber gasket. You can also use a special elastic plumbing tape.

Main characteristics and features of the choice of a tee

Various tee taps for washing machines are on sale. They differ in material and design features.

In order not to make a mistake when choosing, you need to pay attention to all their main characteristics:

1. Material. Cheap tees are made from silumin (an alloy of aluminum and silicon). The advantage of this material is obvious - low price. At the same time, there are significant drawbacks, the most important of which is a short service life. It is worth overpaying and buying a reliable brass tee faucet.
2. Mechanism type. There are ball valves and multi-turn valves. The first noticeably win in terms of ease of use and durability. The tee ball valve is simpler, has a longer resource.
3. The diameter of the connecting thread of the tee. Most often, standard models with ¾ and ½ threads go on sale, but exotic sizes can also be found.
4. Tee valve shape. It all depends on personal preference. The main thing is that it is convenient to use the tap, and the valve fits well in the hand.
5. Manufacturer and country of manufacture. The tee is installed in a critical area, the safety of operation of the washing machine depends on its reliability, you should not save on it. It is better to pay for the products of a well-known brand than to deal with the consequences of an accident.

Washing machine installation

Connecting the machine to the water supply is carried out in two stages:

• the first is to install a crane;
• the second is in the connection of the tap and the washing machine.

Crane installation

To install a crane, you will need:

• wrench;
• fum-tape to give the joint tightness. More rarely, flax is used to seal the joint;
• a flow filter that purifies water and prevents pollution and damage to the washing machine;
• lerka for cutting threads.

If the valve is installed on plastic pipes, then a calibrator is additionally required. The faucet installation process is as follows:

1. the water supply is cut off on the cold water pipe. A tap that stops the water supply of the apartment must be installed when installing the water supply system. As a rule, it is installed on a riser or inlet pipe;

Device that blocks the water supply of the apartment

1. all the remnants of the liquid are drained from the pipes, as they can place further work;
2. section of pipeline is cut. For plastic pipes, special scissors are used. You can remove a section of a metal pipe with a grinder;

The size of the section to be cut must correspond to the length of the faucet, increased by the length of the filter.

1. threads of the required diameter are cut at the ends of the pipes;

Pipe preparation for threaded connection

a filter is initially installed to protect the machine from impurities contained in the water;
a water tap is installed. If the valve is mounted on plastic pipes, then before installation, the pipe must be expanded using a calibrator;
nuts are tightened with a wrench

In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the fixation force. An overtight nut, as well as a poorly tightened nut, can lead to water leakage.

Washing machine faucet installation diagram

All connections are sealed with o-rings included in the faucet (filter) and fum-tape.

Washing machine faucet installed.You can proceed to the direct connection of the washing machine. You can learn more about self-installation of the crane by watching the video.

Connecting equipment to a faucet

Now consider how to connect the washing machine to the faucet. To connect, use the inlet hose that is included with the machine. Depending on the installation location, the length of the hose is selected. As a rule, the device included in the kit has a short length and is made of a single layer of material.

In order for the hose to serve for a long time, it is recommended to purchase a two-layer hose with reinforcement. The length of the product should be equal to the distance from the tap to the washing machine plus 10% for free location.

Durable inlet hose for the machine

To connect the faucet you will need:

• wrench;
• fum tape.

The connection diagram looks like this:

1. one end of the hose, having a nut installed with a bend, is connected to a special opening of the washing machine located on the back of the housing. A nut with a bend is designed to reduce the distance between the machine and the wall. Before connection, it is required to remove the transport plug;

Connecting the inlet hose to the washing machine

1. the other end of the hose is connected to the faucet. If the faucet is located in another room, such as a toilet, and the device is in the bathroom, then a hole must be made in the wall to lay the hose.

Connecting the inlet hose to the installed faucet

When arranging joints, one should not forget about additional sealing of joints. Otherwise, leaks will form.

Before using the washing machine, it is recommended to check all connections for possible leaks.If a water leak is detected, it is necessary to completely redo the connection, if necessary, installing additional gaskets.

You can connect the washing machine yourself. This will require a minimum set of tools and a small amount of knowledge. Carrying out work does not cause difficulties even for a beginner.

In order for the connection to be made correctly, it is necessary to install a special tap that can quickly disconnect the machine from the central water supply system. The selection and installation of a crane is based on the simplest rules and recommendations given in this article.

Accommodation options

There are several places where you can put a washing machine:

• toilet;
• bathroom or combined bathroom;
• kitchen;
• the corridor.

The most problematic option is the corridor. Usually there are no required communications in the corridor - no sewerage, no water. We'll have to "pull" them to the installation site, which is not at all easy. But sometimes it's the only option. In the photo below there are some interesting solutions for how you can put the typewriter in the corridor.

The option of installing a washing machine in a narrow corridor Making something similar to a portal is also an option Hide in a nightstand Embed in hallway furniture

The toilet has all communications, but in typical high-rise buildings the dimensions of this room are such that it is sometimes difficult to turn around - there is no space at all. In this case, washing machines are installed above the toilet. To do this, a shelf is made so that while sitting on the toilet, it does not touch the head. It is clear that it must be very strong and reliable, and the machine - with very good shock absorbers. The washing machine must be installed perfectly, otherwise it may fall during operation.In general, with this method of installing the washing machine, it does not hurt to make some planks that will prevent it from falling off the shelf.

The shelf is solid and reliable, but slippery - you need a rubber mat for shock absorption under the legs. Powerful corners are monolithic in the wall, a washing machine is installed on them. Plastic stops were removed from the legs, and holes were drilled in the corners for the remaining screws.

The yixtion is reliable, it is only important that the corners do not tear out of the wall from vibration. You can close it with vertical blinds. This is already a whole locker. Only the doors are missing

The bathroom is the room where the washing machine is most often placed.

However, in some apartments the bathroom area is too small, they barely fit the washbasin and bathtub. For such cases, there are alternative options.

Recently, washing machines are increasingly being installed in the kitchen along with other household appliances, where it is also possible to connect to the water supply, sewerage and electrical networks.

To make everything look organic, you need to choose a typewriter of such a height that it fits into the size, and the sink itself is better than a square one - then they will become wall to wall. If there is not enough space, you can at least slide part of the body under the sink.

Put the washing machine next to the sink. Now fashionable countertops in the bathroom can be finished with mosaics. If space allows, just put the machine next to the sink

There is a more compact way - to put the washing machine under the sink. Only the sink needs a special shape - so that the siphon is installed at the back.

To put a washing machine under the sink, you need a special sinkOne of the sinks under which you can put a washing machine

The next option for installing a washing machine in the bathroom is on the side of the bath - between its side and the wall. Today, the dimensions of the cases can be narrow, so this option is a reality.

Narrow cabinets are no longer a rarityBetween the bathroom and the toilet The sink should not be smaller than the cabinetNo one bothers to install a sink on top

One moment, putting such equipment in bathrooms or combined bathrooms is not a good idea. Humid air negatively affects the body, it begins to rust quickly. However, there is usually not much space, although in principle you can put the car under the washbasin or hang shelves above it. In general, it's up to you to decide.

Another popular place to install a washing machine is the kitchen. Built into the kitchen set. Sometimes they close the doors, sometimes they don't. This is left to the discretion of the owners. There are some interesting photos in the gallery.

Doors with a cut-out under the "porthole"Put in the kitchen cabinetIn the kitchen set, the washing machine looks quite organic

Installation of a tee crane

These parts are primarily intended for tapping into plastic pipes. In the case of steel pipelines, the work becomes noticeably more complicated, welding is required, and adapters are often indispensable. The installation of a tee in a plastic pipeline can be described in the form of a simple step-by-step instruction.

Step 1. Preparation

Before undertaking any repair associated with a change in the configuration and location of pipes, connecting a washing machine is no exception, it is necessary to turn off the water.If there is a separate tap for the involved branch of the system, you can use it, otherwise you will have to turn off the taps at the entrance to the apartment.

You also need to prepare a tool and material for work. It will take quite a bit:

• pipe cutter;
• wrench;
• FUM tape;
• rubber seals.

It is also worth stocking up on a pipe calibrator, it will align the cut, make it much easier to connect the tee tap for the washing machine. It is desirable to install a flow filter in series with the tee. It will improve the quality of the water supplied to the machine, thereby significantly increasing its resource.

Among other things, before starting work, it is worth checking the connection parts that come with the washing machine. Often, the manufacturer completes its products with a supply hose that is too short, it may be worth replacing it.

Step 2. Marking and cutting

After everything is ready to start installation, you need to decide on the location of the tie-in

It is chosen individually depending on the specific situation, in any case, it is important to ensure that the hose of the washing machine is not stretched, and the location of the pipes ensures ease of operation.

Cut lines are marked directly on the pipe. The section to be cut out must be equal to the length of the tee-faucet outlet tube, excluding threaded sections. The pipe is cut. You need to be prepared for the fact that some water will flow out of the cut; you should stock up on rags and a container to collect it in advance.

Step 3 Mounting

Before installing a faucet for a washing machine, you should use a calibrator. With its help, it is easy to expand the hole and align the edges of the pipes, as a result of which the reliability of fastening will noticeably increase.

You can do without it, but then you need to work very carefully, if the tee becomes skewed and water starts to ooze from the joint, you will have to change the entire section of the pipeline.

Remove the mounting nuts of the tee tap and put them on the ends of the pipes. Install the faucet. Be sure to use complete seals, they will provide the required tightness. Immediately you need to evaluate the quality of work, for this it is enough to let the water in and check the joints for leaks.

After that, you can screw the washing machine hose to the tee, remembering to use the FUM sealing tape to seal the threaded connection.

Purpose

The role of the tap in the water supply system of the washing machine is invaluable. This is due to the fact that water hammers often occur in water supply lines, which are the result of unexpected emergency pressure surges within the network. Such impacts can damage the internal water-carrying parts of the washing machine, such as the non-return valve and flexible hose, and cause flooding.

Moreover, even in the absence of emergency situations, the shut-off valve of the machine is not designed for a constant pressure of the water column: its spring begins to stretch over time, and the membrane ceases to fit snugly against the hole. Under the influence of constant squeezing, the rubber gasket often does not withstand and bursts.

The risk of a breakthrough increases especially at night, when the water intake tends to zero, and the pressure in the water supply network reaches its daily maximum. In order to avoid such incidents, at the place where the washing machine is connected to the water supply, a universal type of shut-off valve is installed - a water tap.

What is a tee crane and why is it needed

There are several ways to connect the washing machine to the water supply, but the simplest and most convenient is to use a tee tap. Its main difference from the usual shut-off valves is that it has three outlets, two of which are permanently connected, and the third is blocked if necessary. Thanks to this feature, such a crane can be embedded in any pipe.

The tee tap makes it easy to connect the washing machine and helps avoid accidents. With it, at any time you can disconnect the machine, perform any necessary actions and reconnect, so there is no need to shut off the water at the entrance to the apartment.

Among other things, installing a water tee is extremely simple. To install, it is enough to cut the pipe and reconnect it, but with the help of a tee. To a greater extent, this statement is true in the case of systems with modern plastic pipes. In this case, even special equipment and complex tools are not required.

How to connect the washing machine to the water supply?

As for connecting the washing machine to cold water, below will be presented step-by-step instructions with which you can connect yourself:

Scheme of connecting the inlet hose of the washing machine through a tee to the water supply

• First you need to choose a place to connect. Of course, the best place will be the area where the connection of the metal-plastic pipe with the flexible hose of the mixer is marked. In principle, it is also possible to connect to a shower tap;
• then unscrew the flexible hose;

• then we wind the fumlent on the thread of the tee and, directly, install the tee itself;
• also, a fumlent is wound on the remaining two threads and flexible hoses from a washing machine and a washbasin faucet are connected;
• Finally, you need to tighten all threaded connections with a wrench.

Connecting the washing machine to the plumbing system

It is worth noting that it is imperative to check the presence of o-rings at both ends of the inlet hose, since it is they who prevent the flow of water at the joints.

Another option for connecting the washing machine hose to the water supply

There is another option for connecting the machine to the water supply, by connecting the inlet (inlet) hose to the drain tap in the bathroom or sink.

If you decide to use this method, then you will need a longer inlet hose. One end of the hose in this case is screwed to the tap after the gander is disconnected. People who choose to connect this system claim that the process itself takes a little over a minute.

At the same time, they are completely sure that they avoid water leaks during the downtime of the machine, because the connection of the supply hose was not carried out permanently.

Special attention deserves the moment that today many modern automatic units are equipped with a special system that blocks the water supply to the disconnected machine.

Such equipment is equipped with an inlet hose, which has a block of electromagnetic valves at the end. These valves are connected by wires to the machine, which, in fact, carry out control.

If desired, you can buy a special inlet hose with automatic leakage protection

The whole system is inside a flexible casing. That is, when the machine is turned off, the valve automatically shuts off the flow of water into the device.

This is very convenient and reliable, because, for example, when the light is turned off, you will be sure that when the machine is turned off, it will not continue to pump cold water into itself from the water supply.

As you can see, connecting the washing machine to the sewer and water supply is quite feasible on your own. The main thing is to follow the established rules and follow the instructions that come with the equipment.

A properly connected washing machine will serve you for a long time and faithfully.

If suddenly you doubt something or are not sure about the correctness of your actions, then you can always seek help from specialists. Of course, a specialist will cope with the installation of the device much better and faster, but he will have to pay for this.

The equipment will work smoothly and for a long time only if all the necessary installation measures are carried out as expected and in accordance with the standards.

It is worth saying that if you purchased a dishwasher, then its installation is carried out according to the same principle. All installation activities are identical to those when installing a washing machine.

Naturally, in this case, it is also necessary to first read the instructions for the equipment, which must necessarily go to it when selling.

Work progress

Having collected everything necessary for installation, we will prepare the workplace.Some of you will ask: what to cook here - cool, cool? It may be true, but if we were you, before using a steel wrench in the bathroom or in the kitchen, we would remove all breakable objects that may be at hand at the wrong time: glass shelves, breakable soap dishes and cups for toothbrushes. Once all these fragile items are out of reach, you can get to work. We do the following.

1. We shut off the water.
2. Carefully unscrew the nuts holding the mixer.
3. We unpack our crane-tee with an extension and inspect the details. If the outlets of these parts are already equipped with rubber or silicone gaskets, then you don’t need to insert anything else, if there are no gaskets, then we take 3/4 silicone gaskets and insert them into each output.
4. We remove the mixer to the side, and wind the FUMka into the joints.

1. We fasten the tee tap so that the shut-off valve is located nicely and conveniently, and we direct the outlet for the hose down.
2. Screw on the extension. When screwing these elements, be careful not to overtighten so as not to damage the gaskets.
3. Now we very carefully screw our mixer to the tee tap and extension.
4. We connect the inlet hose of the washing machine to the tee.
5. We open the water, make sure that the joints are tight.

Summing up, we note that connecting a washing machine directly to a mixer is not a very difficult matter, but we draw your attention to the quality of the components. Take only the highest quality gaskets, tees and extension cords, so that later there will be no unpleasant incidents in the form of flooding of neighbors

Good luck!

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Types of ball valves

There are several types of ball cutters. Consider the main ones used to complete the process of connecting a washing machine at home.

Option # 1 - through

Such a mechanism has outlets on both sides, which allows you to shut off the water, dividing the branch into two parts. Devices belonging to this category can be installed on a separate pipe that extends from a common riser to any plumbing item, or used for tapping.

Straight-through ball valves are often used to connect washing units, but they are also suitable for other plumbing devices, for example, they are often used to connect toilet bowls

Option # 2 - tee (three-way)

As the name implies, such a device is equipped with three inputs and outputs. One of the holes is directly responsible for blocking the water flow, the other two serve to combine all the water supply outlets into a single system.

A three-way tap is often used to connect dishwashers or washing machines to the water supply network. The use of this element allows you to provide autonomous water supply for several devices at the same time.

These components, which can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and configurations, are typically used for tapping into a water pipe, where they are often combined with other fixtures such as a faucet. This function is not available to a conventional flow faucet due to its design.

Option # 3 - angular

The design of this element corresponds to the features of the through fitting.With this tap, you can divide the outlet pipe into two independent branches located at right angles.

A similar element is most often used when installing toilets, but it is also well suited for connecting non-standardly located washing machines.

An angle type ball valve can be used if it is necessary to connect the unit to a water pipe laid against a wall. In this case, it is extremely difficult to perform a direct retraction

The complete set of taps of all categories includes sealing rings, fixing nuts, as well as rotary handles, with the help of which water is shut off and accessed. The last element is attached to the part body with a lock nut.