The tap for connecting the washing machine allows you to prevent the possibility of water hammer To connect the washing machine to the water supply, you will need to carry out a number of plumbing work. In principle, there is nothing difficult here, as in connecting to the sewer, everything can be done with simple tools. For protection in the event of an accident, a tap must be connected. Many owners of washing machines connect them to the water supply by connecting a piece of pipe, using tees, or use special clamps. Then they hook on the inlet hose and open the tap of the central water supply. Such a connection has its drawback in the event of a leak in a hose or a machine, you cannot instantly stop the water supply.
Why do you need a faucet for a washing machine
The need to install a tap when connecting the washing machine and disconnecting it from the water line during the idle period is justified in the manufacturer's instructions for use, there are two main reasons:
- The flexible supply hose is not designed to maintain a constant pressure in the system; if it rises or abruptly surges, the sheath may break.
- The check (shut-off) valve in the water supply system has a design in the form of a spring and a rubber disc; it is designed for temporary operation when the chamber with the drum is filled with water. The constant pressure of the water column leads to an extension of the spring and, accordingly, to a loose fit of the shut-off diaphragm valve. Also, with constant squeezing, the rubber gasket itself may burst - the listed factors lead to disruption of household appliances and leaks.
In the water supply system, the tap must operate in an on-off mode, which does not require adjustment of the water flow, therefore, simple inexpensive and reliable designs are used with long time intervals for maintenance, repair with replacement of worn-out units. The shape of the body during installation is selected from the point of view of the most convenient connection option and access to the handle, which, in turn, is designed as a long asymmetric lever or a butterfly handle.
Bugatti brand design
Dual connection
There are models of automatic washing machines in which there is the possibility of double connection to the water supply: both to cold and hot water.
Such opportunities are present in American and Japanese manufacturers of washing machines.
This was created in order to save on electricity, because in machines without a double connection, cold water heating is used. As practice has shown, in Russia such machines do not often cope with their work.
In general, washing machines are quite demanding on the quality of hot water supplied to them. Usually, in a centralized heating system, water is not considered as clean as we would like, therefore, pollution and clogging of filters, various kinds of breakdowns, and so on occur. The wash performance may not be good enough.
As a rule, in conditions of individual water supply, the water is much cleaner.
But we still recommend that you conduct an analysis and assess the condition of the water before buying and installing a washing machine.
The water may not be in good condition, which means that the cleaning system should be improved. If this is not done, your washing machine will become very vulnerable to possible breakdowns.
The end valve can only be connected to an existing water supply.
Wall mounting technology
This is the most economical and fairly convenient option. By installing just one set, you provide the ability to use a sink, a bath, and a shower. When choosing the location of the mixer, take into account its design parameters. The drain spout should reach both the bathroom and the washbasin at a sufficient distance so that water does not fall on the floor.
There are several important points in this scheme that must be taken into account:
- the location of the distribution of water pipes;
- the presence of a single supply of pipes in the bathroom.
In recent decades, residential projects have included separate pipes for sinks and bathtubs. Therefore, this type of installation is used less and less. Nevertheless, the connection rules provide for fixing the mixer to the outlets - branch pipes from the main pipes or mounting on the wall.
In the event that you have to independently make the supply of pipes for the crane, you must be guided by the accepted standards. According to them, the installation height of the mixer in the bathroom should be 1.2 meters from the floor level. Water sockets can only be made at this level, and the distance between them should be 15 cm.
Installing a washbasin faucet
Prepare for the process
The owner of the automatic machine needs to know the peculiarity of the procedure for installing the unit to the water supply.
After all, a breakdown of a special crane may occur, which in the future will need to be replaced, or if the machine needs to be rearranged to another place in the house. Even a beginner in this matter can cope with the task quite well if he remembers the list of important points.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the function of cotton in the washing machine
When installing a washing machine, it is possible to use shut-off valves of a fairly simple design.
The installation of such taps is carried out in a conspicuous place so that the owners can shut off the water entering the washing machine at any time out of control.
The machine automatically performs various actions, heats the water, having previously taken it from the system, at this time all sorts of breakdowns can occur, which can be prevented only if the tap is in a visible place, and then it becomes possible to turn the valve and stop the water supply.
In most cases of car breakdowns, it is necessary to shut off the water, and if this is not done, then there is the likelihood of flooding the apartment (house) and neighbors.
When connecting your washing machine, you can use shut-off valves, the variety of which is divided into two categories:
- They are cut into the existing water supply system, which goes to other objects (mixer, boiler, etc.);
- End tapsThey are placed on the branch of the water supply, specially made for automatic machines.
For a washing machine, it would be better if it received water from the plumbing, which runs throughout the house, of exactly the same cross-section.
It is advisable to install a filter in the system - it will purify the water that will enter the machine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCsq1YbxZ-A
The filter is a mesh that is very easy to install. Remember to clean it periodically.
We recommend that you turn off the water supply to the machine after washing, and turn it on only before starting it.
Or you can install a whole system of filters. But this is subject to the availability of material opportunities.
Which hose is better?
It may be that the manufacturer provides a special hose for connecting to the water supply, and if there is one, it is better to install it. The length of the provided hose may not be enough, so you should not immediately connect it from two parts, because in this case it will soon be broken.
The best option is to buy a new, longer hose in a special store from the manufacturer of your machine. It is better to buy a hose in a company store, because cheap analogues in ordinary stores, as a rule, break down very quickly.
Technical features of connecting the boiler
If the diagram of the correct connection of the boiler to the water supply system has been drawn up, it is time to start its execution. In this case, much depends on which pipes were used to create the water supply system.
Steel pipes can often be found in old houses, although they are often replaced with more fashionable polypropylene or metal-plastic. When installing the boiler, you should take into account the peculiarities of working with pipes of various types.
There are no special requirements for the material of structures connecting the boiler and the water supply system. They can be connected even with a sufficiently strong hose of a suitable diameter and length.
Regardless of the type of pipes, before starting any work on connecting equipment to the water supply system, be sure to turn off the water supply in the risers.
How to connect a heater to steel pipes
For this, it is not necessary to use a welding machine, since the connection can be made using special tees, the so-called "vampires".
The design of such a tee resembles a conventional clamping clamp, on the sides of which there are nozzles. Their ends are already threaded.
To install the vampire tee, first place it in a suitable location and tighten with screws.
Between the metal part of the tee and the pipe, put the gasket that comes with the device. It is important that the gaps in the gasket and the tee for mounting the hole match exactly.
Then, using a metal drill, you need to make a hole in the pipe through a special gap in the pipe and rubber gasket. After that, a pipe or a hose is screwed onto the opening of the branch pipe, with the help of which water will be supplied to the heater.
To connect a storage water heater to a steel water supply system, use a metal coupling with special nozzles equipped with threads, onto which a shut-off valve, hose or pipe section can be screwed
The most important point when connecting a water heater is the sealing of all connections. To seal the threads, FUM tape, linen thread or other similar sealant is used. There should be enough such material, but not too much.
It is believed that if the seal protrudes slightly from under the threads, this will provide a sufficiently tight connection.
Working with polypropylene pipes
If the boiler is supposed to be connected to a polypropylene water supply system, you should immediately stock up on the stopcocks, tees and couplings intended for them.
In addition, you will need special equipment: a device for cutting such pipes, as well as a device for their soldering.
To connect a boiler to a polypropylene water supply, the following procedure is usually followed:
- Shut off the water in the riser (sometimes you need to contact the housing office for this).
- Use a cutter to cut the polypropylene pipes.
- Solder tees in the branch points.
- Connect the pipes for connecting the boiler to the water supply.
- Install couplings and valves.
- Connect the boiler to the tap with a hose.
If the water pipes are hidden in the wall, you will have to dismantle the finish in order to gain free access to them.
It happens that access to pipes laid in grooves is still significantly limited. In this case, a special split-type repair coupling can be used.
The polypropylene side of such a device is soldered onto a tee, and the threaded part is connected to the water supply. After that, the removable part of the coupling is removed from the structure.
To connect a water supply system made of PVC pipes to a storage water heater, you can use a special adapter, part of which is soldered to the pipe, and a hose can be screwed onto the other part.
Connection to metal-plastic structures
It is not as difficult to work with metal-plastic pipes as with products made of polypropylene. Such pipes are very rarely laid in grooves, but they are connected with very convenient fittings.
To connect the boiler to such a water supply, you can use the following procedure:
- Shut off the water supply to the pipes in the house.
- At the installation site of the branch pipe, make a cut using a special pipe cutter.
- Install the tee in the cut.
- Attach a piece of new metal-plastic pipe or hose to the branches of the tee, depending on the situation.
After that, all connections should be checked for leaks. To do this, water is supplied to the system and it is observed whether a leak appears.
If the tightness of the connection is insufficient, the gap must be repaired or the work must be done again.
Constructive execution
The ball valve has a simple design, a high degree of waterproofing, small dimensions and easy to use, the main structural elements of a standard product are:
- Housing. A typical collapsible design is made of nickel-plated or chrome-plated brass, an external thread is applied to the inlet and outlet branch pipes for connection to the pipeline and plumbing fixtures, electrical engineering.
- Ball. It is made of brushed and polished brass, chrome-plated on top, a rectangular recess is made inside its body on top, into which the stem is inserted.
- Stock. It is a brass rod with sealing rubber rings installed on the body, a crane is attached to one of its ends. There is a hole at the top for screwing in a fixing screw or a thread is applied to the pulley for attaching the handle to the nut. The opposite side of the stem has a rectangular cross-section and is intended to be inserted into the ball valve body.
- Landing and sealing rings. Seat rings, located on either side of the ball at the inlet and outlet of the bore, provide a seal by preventing water from entering the outlet when closed. A rubber ring, put on one of the body parts, prevents it from leaking when connected to another part.
- A pen. The swivel handle is made in the shape of a butterfly or an elongated lever, attached to the stem with a screw or self-locking nut made of nickel-plated steel. It is made of aluminum, nickel-plated steel, coated with polymers in a liquid plasticizer (plastisol).
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with Is it possible to replace the pallet near the shower stall
Characteristics and materials of a typical valve
Polypropylene faucet is a modern solution for your communications
Polypropylene faucets cause mistrust among many buyers due to the fact that they consider the material of manufacture to be unreliable and short-lived. Meanwhile, modern technologies ensure the highest quality workmanship, due to which, in terms of their properties, such cranes are not inferior to metal products, and in some respects even surpass them. This article will consider the main features of this type of product and the criteria for choosing high-quality models.
Valves and fittings for polypropylene pipes meet the highest quality standards if they are manufactured in accordance with the technology
The advantages of this product group
Cranes for polypropylene pipes can be very different: steel, brass, or from the same material as the main communications. It is the last option that we will consider in more detail, especially since it has a number of indisputable advantages:
A polypropylene faucet is an excellent solution for most types of communications
Important! Another important advantage is the fact that the locking mechanism is made of high quality stainless steel, which guarantees the durability of the structure and its resistance to adverse influences.
Features of polypropylene taps
First, you need to understand the main design features, this will allow you to better understand how the system functions.
Products can be made from different types of raw materials, most often the upper limit of heat resistance is limited to 95 degrees. It is best to choose designs from the PPRC raw material grade, the size range of products is wide enough, but the most common sizes are 20, 25, 32 and 50 mm, but other options can be found.
Regardless of the size, the structure consists of the following components:
Types of taps for washing machines
Manufacturing material. Plumbing fixtures are often made of metals: brass, stainless steel, silumin, brass products are considered the most expensive and high-quality ones. The cheapest shut-off valves are made of silumin - an aluminum alloy, products have low strength and light weight, unlike expensive metals, they have low plasticity and crack under load.
On the market, you can find low-cost polymer shut-off valves, plastic taps are conveniently mounted in a polypropylene pipeline by soldering - this saves on plastic-to-metal adapters and in cost compared to using metal products.
The principle of the locking mechanism. There are two main types of shut-off valves: screw and ball, in the first there is a gradual multi-turn shut-off of the flow due to the rotation of the screw shut-off valve, which is irrational for valves, the only purpose of which is to supply and cut off the water flow.
Polymer valves
Housing design. Depending on the location of the pipeline and ease of access, the following types of taps are installed in the water supply system:
- A straight or straight-through valve for a washing machine has an inlet and outlet branch pipes located in one line, mounted in a pipeline that has a separate outlet for connecting equipment.
- Tee crane. In this type of design, the water flow is straight inside the housing, and there is a branch in the side wall for connection to the machine. The tee for connecting the washing machine to the water supply is used in water supply systems with previously connected plumbing equipment. Typically, a three-way valve is installed under sinks in a kitchen or bathroom, connecting a flexible hose from the sink and the washer to the throughlet and outlet pipes, respectively, and the faucet body to the water pipe.
- Angular. Often, the washing machine is connected to a water outlet built into the wall, while it is much more convenient and rational so that the inlet of the flexible water supply line approaches it at an angle of 90 degrees. To do this, screw an angle faucet for a washing machine of the corresponding diameter into it and connect a hose to it, lowered down the wall.
We offer you to familiarize yourself with the Design of a bathroom in a wooden house
Types of valve bodies: straight-through, tees, angle
How is the water tee used
The tee with a valve is made from such parts as: a body made of brass, which is plated with nickel, a stem which is also made of brass, a ball valve, a handle, rings and a clamping nut. The tee is used to connect household appliances to the water supply, it can also be used to install another water supply. It is easy to install the tee using the union nut, using the union method.
Try to purchase locking equipment from trusted manufacturers
You can mount the tee tap in any position convenient for you.It is also possible to use a tee crane to move liquids with a temperature not lower than -10 and not higher than + 85 degrees. The pressure in the pipes must not exceed 6 bar. The handle of such a faucet rotates 90 degrees, and the weight is about 100 grams. Such a faucet tee comes with two outlets: three quarters and a half inch. It can also have external or internal threads. The manufacture of handles for such cranes takes place with a spray of black or red. The service life will be approximately four thousand cycles and repair of the crane is not possible. In order to avoid early failure of the tee tap, it is necessary to carefully choose a high-quality tee tap in order not to become a buyer of a defective product or a fake tee tap made of low-quality and cheap material.
It is necessary to remember the advice of the masters to prevent the purchase of a fake or marriage:
- The image of the logo on the crane must be clear;
- Letters should not be smeared on the product;
- It is necessary to buy strictly brass products and so that the ball for constipating the water in them is also brass, since an analogue made of metal can lead to a flood and in the future to swearing with neighbors from below and, accordingly, to the payment of funds for repairs;
- It is imperative to ask about the quality of the product, this is necessary to make sure that this product is not made from recycled brass;
- If the funds for the purchase allow, then you need to choose more expensive and better quality;
- The locking ball must be perfectly smooth and reflect the shine;
- If the pressure of the water supply in your house is not constant, but jumps, then it is necessary to purchase a faucet with a stem inserted from the inside.
Based on these recommendations, you can purchase a quality crane that will become a reliable protector against unforeseen situations.
Criterias of choice
1. Ball valves are best suited for quickly stopping and starting the water supply, in which a ball-shaped shut-off mechanism with a through hole instantly blocks the water flow when the handle is turned 90 degrees.
2. For aesthetics and to prevent unplanned rotation of the handle, use products with a compact butterfly swing arm. In places where access is difficult and it is impossible to remedy the situation, it is more rational to use a model with an asymmetrical long lever, which is easier and easier to turn.
3. The best material for manufacturing valves is brass, which is not subject to corrosion and has a service life of tens of years; household valves of this type have a chrome coating, which gives them a beautiful aesthetic appearance. Brass taps are installed in a steel metal or polymer (polypropylene PP) pipeline, into the latter an adapter from plastic to metal is soldered.
4. The choice of the design of the faucet body depends on the connection option - if it is installed in a gap or the pipeline to which the sinks, mixer or its ebb, shower hose are connected, use a triple design. With a water outlet coming out of the wall, the best option is an angular housing, the direct through-passage modification is not used too often and is connected to pipelines or water sockets located at the bottom of the floor.
Tap with inlet hose connected to a water outlet
5. When buying, sometimes you should pay attention to the position of the handle, at which the tap is open or closed, for example, it is more convenient for a valve with a long lever close to the wall covering to close closely parallel to the wall, and open perpendicular to its plane, protruding outward - this will prevent involuntary turning and unwanted opening of the channel for water intake.
6. When choosing a suitable model in a hardware store or on the market, you should pay attention to the manufacturer (for branded fittings, the company logo is applied to the body).The sanitary fittings of the following Russian and European brands are of high quality and have proven themselves in the domestic market: Bosch, Bugatti, Elsen, Grohe, Itap, Valtec.
Tools for brazing PP pipes and taps
When the problem is solved with the choice of ball valves, you can proceed to the preparation of tools for soldering polypropylene pipes and locking mechanisms. The soldering machine can be purchased or rented.
In general, this device is useful in the household, it is often used when repairing breakdowns or installing a water supply system. OH includes a heating element in the form of a xiphoid plate, in which there are holes for various nozzles, and a thermostat. With the help of the latter, you can set a specific soldering temperature. For polypropylene, it is 260 degrees Celsius.
Most often, the power of such devices is 2500 W, and they are connected to a household outlet with a voltage of 220 V. The soldering machine is capable of operating in the temperature range from 50 to 320 degrees Celsius.
The device is equipped with Teflon nozzles of different diameters, suitable for all polypropylene pipes used in plumbing systems. If the pipe is of a non-standard size, then the nozzle can be purchased separately.
When a one-time soldering of pipes and taps is planned, the easiest way is to rent a soldering machine. This will save you money while completing the task. But that's not all it takes.
List of required tools:
- Welding machine for polypropylene pipes (it is also sometimes called a soldering iron, because the connection of PP products is performed by soldering).
- Pipe cutting and stripping devices. The end cut is made with a tapered knife, precision scissors and a cutter with a roller are also needed. However, you can also cut a polypropylene pipe with a hacksaw for metal. But then the edges of the cut will turn out to be uneven. For a complete installation of the water supply system, you will need a special tool. Sometimes it is included in the set of the welding machine.
- If you plan to weld reinforced pipes, then you will additionally need a hand knife. It will be used to remove the reinforcement layer. Otherwise, the welding will be unreliable, such a connection will quickly fail.
- Marking tools. Usually, a construction pencil or marker is used to apply it. With their help, it will be possible to select the line connecting the pipe with the tap, along which the solder will go.
As it already became clear, all the necessary tools for welding pipes with stopcocks are not very expensive, which makes the installation of a polypropylene water supply system quite cheap. This material is often used in domestic engineering systems of city apartments and country houses.
How to install a faucet
There are several ways to connect the washing machine to the cold water supply line, depending on which various types of plumbing fixtures are purchased, the following accessories and tools are used during the operation:
- Adjustable wrench, screwdriver.
- The inlet polymer hose supplied with the machine or a product purchased from a commercial network with a 10% margin in length for long distances from the water outlet to electrical equipment.
- Ball valve of angular, direct-flow or tee-type body design.
- Sealing materials: flax fiber, plumbing thread, Fum tape.
Stage # 2 - preparing for installation
The purchased machine is delivered to the apartment in a packed form. All rotating parts are secured with fasteners (bolts, bars, brackets) that protect the device from accidental damage during transportation.
Before starting the installation, it is important to remove all fasteners (bolts, brackets, clamps) that protect the parts of the machine during transportation
The brought washing machine should be freed from the box, and then start removing the fixing parts:
- The brackets must be removed from the rear wall of the unit., which are set for the rigidity required for the transport of household appliances. Such elements also support flexible parts of the structure, namely the hose and the electric cord.
- Following this, it is necessary to remove the barsplaced between the tank and the body of the device. To do this, just tilt the washer slightly forward.
- The bolts should also be removed.which are installed on the front of the machine to fix the drum. It is better to immediately insert plastic plugs into the holes from the removed elements (they are usually supplied with the model).
Released fasteners must be carefully packed and stored: they may be needed when contacting service.
Image gallery
Photo from
Washing machines are transported with the obligatory installation of fastening bolts that fix the position of internal moving parts. Remove them before connecting.
There is a wrench for unscrewing the bolts. With its help, you first need only to loosen the fasteners.
While holding the bolt with a wrench, you need to carefully remove it along with the plastic insert. Then you need to close the hole with the plastic plug supplied with the model.
The bolts unscrewed from the washing machine together with plastic inserts and a wrench must be stored. They can still come in handy if home equipment has to be transported.
Installation points for fixing blots
Loosen the bolts with the supplied wrench
Removing the bolt together with the plastic insert
Collecting the shipping bolts for storage
We recommend: How to remove carbon and fat from the grill: simple and effective tips
Methods for inserting into a plastic water supply system inside an apartment
An additional outlet from the central water supply inside an apartment is easier to carry out than a tie-in into a common pipeline.
No permission is required for wiring inside the apartment. The only condition for an independent intra-apartment connection is that all wiring around the house must be carried out after the water meter. The limitation may be a reasonability consideration.
Note! Too many series connections to the water pipe reduce the working pressure. This leads to malfunctions of household appliances, to uneven supply of hot and cold water to the mixers.
There are the following ways to cut into a plastic pipe:
- insert of a special flange with a branch - tee;
- installation of a special saddle with a branch.
To install the tee, the water supply must be shut off. The saddle clamp can be installed on a pipe that is under pressure. For this, special plastic electrowelded flanges are used.
Tee insertion technology
Installing a tee on a water pipe is the classic way to insert an additional branch. The work is carried out with the water supply turned off.
The technology for inserting a plastic tee is as follows:
- Shut off the central shut-off valve at the communication entrance to the housing, drain the water.
- At the designated area, a part corresponding to the length of the tee to be installed is cut out of the water pipe. This can be done using a grinder or an ordinary hacksaw for metal.
- An electrofitting tee is inserted in place of the cut piece and welded to it using a special welding machine. You can rent such a device for one-time work.
- A shut-off device is welded to the outlet of the tee. If a collapsible connection is required, then a tee should be purchased with a thread. A metal valve is screwed to the thread. The question of the presence and type of thread on the tee (internal, external) is decided at the planning stage.
- Further installation of the branch can be carried out with the water supply turned on, shutting it off with an installed tap.
Using a simple plastic tee, welding it with a classic plastic soldering iron (iron) can be problematic. The fixed position of the communication on both sides will not allow the pipe and fitting to be connected freely when welding the final connection. In addition, it can be difficult to slip an oversized soldering iron to the place of the tie-in due to the lack of space.
Note! A tee can be installed on a cold water pipe using cold welding.
For this, the contact points of the fitting and pipes are cleaned, thoroughly degreased, coated with a special glue for plastic. This method of insertion into low pressure plastic communications is the simplest and most affordable for the layman.
Electrowelded saddle
The method of tapping into a plastic pipe using an electrowelded saddle is the most convenient, practical and reliable. Such a connection can be carried out without disconnecting the water supply, to a pipe that is under operating pressure.
The electrofusion saddle is a special plastic fitting consisting of:
- a detachable part that is installed directly on the pipe;
- built-in drills for plastic;
- side outlet for the locking device.
The detachable part of the saddle coupling is pulled together with special bolts. To screw in the drill, use either a hex wrench of the appropriate size, or a drill (screwdriver), if you purchased the appropriate fitting.
Tie-in method by means of an electrowelded saddle:
- The insertion point is cleaned with a scraper and degreased.
- A saddle is put on the central pipe so that the location of the branch pipe is in the desired direction.
- Tighten the mounting bolts so that the part does not move.
- The saddle tag is scanned with an electrofitting welding machine. At the same time, the device automatically sets the required heating time and temperature.
- After completing the electrodiffusion welding process, allow the joint to cool down. The recommended time is at least half an hour. The result is an unbreakable bond of high strength, since the plastic is bonded at the molecular level during the welding process.
- After the coupling has cooled down, proceed to the installation of the shut-off valve.
- Drilling the center tube is the final step in the tapping. It is carried out with the valve closed.
- The drill, after completing the work, does not need to be removed. A securely closed hole is maintained in this part of the bend. The tap itself is below. Sometimes a cover is provided for the nozzle with a drill, which is decorative and has no practical value.
