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mollymoonbeam
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

Hi,

Wondered if anyone could help me. I'm having a new washing machine
delivered on Sunday as my old one has finally died on me. However,
although they're removing the old one and installing the new one, they
say that they're not insured to disconnect it for me, and it must be
disconnected before they get there?!

I haven't a clue. Could anyone please, please list what I need to do
to disconnect a washing machine. I know that I have to turn the water
off and unplug it, but that's about it.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank very much.

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Andy Cap
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

On 13 Feb 2006 11:19:33 -0800, "mollymoonbeam"
wrote:

Hi,

Wondered if anyone could help me. I'm having a new washing machine
delivered on Sunday as my old one has finally died on me. However,
although they're removing the old one and installing the new one, they
say that they're not insured to disconnect it for me, and it must be
disconnected before they get there?!

I haven't a clue. Could anyone please, please list what I need to do
to disconnect a washing machine. I know that I have to turn the water
off and unplug it, but that's about it.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank very much.


It'll have a normal 3 pin plug

Andy
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mollymoonbeam
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

Hi

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?
If all I have to do is unplug it then I feel a bit silly for coming on
here, but I'll also be pleased if that's the case.

Many thanks

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Posted to uk.d-i-y
Dave Fawthrop
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

On Mon, 13 Feb 2006 19:29:56 +0000, Andy Cap wrote:

|On 13 Feb 2006 11:19:33 -0800, "mollymoonbeam"
wrote:
|
|Hi,
|
|Wondered if anyone could help me. I'm having a new washing machine
|delivered on Sunday as my old one has finally died on me. However,
|although they're removing the old one and installing the new one, they
|say that they're not insured to disconnect it for me, and it must be
|disconnected before they get there?!
|
|I haven't a clue. Could anyone please, please list what I need to do
|to disconnect a washing machine. I know that I have to turn the water
|off and unplug it, but that's about it.
|
|Any help would be much appreciated.
|
|Thank very much.
|
|It'll have a normal 3 pin plug
unplug

Plus perhaps hot water in and cold water in. Turn off the taps near the end
of the flexible pipes and remove the flexible pipes which are hand
tightenable.
Plus perhaps water outlet pipe which you just take out of the waste pipe
--
Dave Fawthrop dave hyphenologist co uk
Freedom of Speech, Expression, Religion, and Democracy are
the keys to Civilization, together with legal acceptance of
Fundamental Human rights.
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Loulou
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

It is also a good idea to make sure that all water is drained out of
the machine. before you disconnect it. Your instruction book should
tell you how and if you don't have one you may be able to find the
instruction book for your machine online at the manufacturer's website.


Most washing machines have an amount of water in them that isn't
emptied away at the end of the wash although you can't see it. It can
make the machine very heavy to move - particularly if the machine is
faulty and has not been emptying properly - and may spill out .



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mollymoonbeam
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

Just to say that my machine is very old - I bought it 16 years ago by a
company called Thorn, and I don't think they're around anymore. But
thanks very much to everyone who replied. Hopefully, I should be able
to sort it out.

Cheers

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The3rd Earl Of Derby
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

mollymoonbeam wrote:
Hi

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?
If all I have to do is unplug it then I feel a bit silly for coming on
here, but I'll also be pleased if that's the case.

Many thanks


The H&C valves have taps on them to cut the water off for disconnection,
however its the waste pipe to the sink? you have to worry about, some
connections dont have a cut off valve on the sink pipe.

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite


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Andy Cap
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

On 13 Feb 2006 11:40:17 -0800, "mollymoonbeam"
wrote:

Hi

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?
If all I have to do is unplug it then I feel a bit silly for coming on
here, but I'll also be pleased if that's the case.

Many thanks


Sorry if I was a bit brief, for some reason I read it as if you were
OK with the water side of things.

Usually there are one or two, depending if it has cold and hot feeds,
little taps that you can turn off before unscrewing the hoses.

Although they are intended to be hand tightened, almost certainly you
with need a small pipe wrench to get them off.

If there are no taps as was the case with my neighbours, then indeed
you will have to turn the water off, both hot and cold if they are
both present and then block the feeds in some way before turning it
back on again. I think if there are no taps, you are looking for a
co-operative neighbour perhaps. ;-)

Andy
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Cicero
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine


"mollymoonbeam" wrote in message
oups.com...
Just to say that my machine is very old - I bought it 16 years ago by a
company called Thorn, and I don't think they're around anymore. But
thanks very much to everyone who replied. Hopefully, I should be able
to sort it out.

Cheers


===================
Look for something like this:
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/...25555&ts=65218 at the ends of
the flexible pipes. Turn the red and blue (hot / cold) levers through 90
degrees and then unscrew the large plastic nuts. Watch out for a bit of
spillage.

Cic.


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Dave Liquorice
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

On 13 Feb 2006 11:40:17 -0800, mollymoonbeam wrote:

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?


Only if they know your abilities (or lack of) very well. I wouldn't cap
the ends if a new machine is going straight in but would do something for
a longer term disconnection. The valves are easy to knock open and can
deposit a lot of water rather quickly...

Otherwise just take things slowly and carefully. Start with the power,
13A plug, simple switch off the socket and unplug. Next water supplies,
probably two, in flexable hoses. One red (hot) and one blue (cold). Where
these attach to the building pipework you will find a valve. Turn each
one off, just a 1/4 turn normally, the "handle" should end up cross ways
to the pipe. Next get a bucket, put it under where the hose join the
valves and try to undo the approx 1" dia coupling at the hose side of the
valve. If they have been done up for a while they might be very stiff and
need a large pair of pliers to get them moving. As the hose is slightly
flexable the water in the hose will be still be under a little pressure
so expect some water to escape once the coupling is loose. Uncouple the
hose and bung the end in the bucket, remember it is full of water. 4' of
hose holds about a pint, quite a mess in a puddle on the floor... Repeat
for the other hose. Waste probably just lifts out of a stand pipe but may
be plumbed into a trap. Again be aware that the waste pipe and low parts
of the machine will still have water in them, that bucket again for the
end.

The hard bits will probably be moving the machine, washing machines are
very heavy and getting half decent access to the connections.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail





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Tim S
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

Dave Liquorice wrote:

On 13 Feb 2006 11:40:17 -0800, mollymoonbeam wrote:

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?


Only if they know your abilities (or lack of) very well. I wouldn't cap
the ends if a new machine is going straight in but would do something for
a longer term disconnection. The valves are easy to knock open and can
deposit a lot of water rather quickly...


Good news, you don't need special tools - only fingers and the right cap.

If you do need to blank the ends off, pop into a plumbers' shop (proper one
not B&Q [2], and ask - the bloke should be able to sell you a couple of
screw caps with rubber washers for a few quid if you explain exactly what
it's for.

The thread used on a washing machine tap is imperial, and it happens to be
the same thread used in some parts of central heating systems - so brass
caps are no problem to find. I used 3 black rubber washers in each (cap bit
too deep for tap) and screw on tight by hand (don't need spanners, rubber
will seal OK) - hey presto, no accidents.

I did that, due to a week between old machine being kicked out and new one
arriving as I have a 2 year old who likes bright coloured twiddly things!

Actually, your new machine is probably going to a cold-fill only (most are
these days) so you would be advised to cap off the hot tap anyway for peace
of mind (which I did).

The hard bits will probably be moving the machine, washing machines are
very heavy and getting half decent access to the connections.


I find the easiest way here is: open the door, then grab the inside of the
portal (not the drum or the door, try to feel for something solid through
the rubber) and try and wiggle the machine side to side a little while
pulling forward. Unless it's a Miele[1], it should be possible to "walk" it
out, an inch at a time, one side, then the other, etc. Hard floor helps
here - carpet will be much harder.

Stop if you feel it going tight - pipes/flex may be caught up - hopefully
you'll be able to at least get your hand round the back by now and sort
them out.

Hope that helps

Tim

[1] They be full of cast iron weights and are notoriously heavy.

[2] I asked the "plumbing specialist" in B&Q. He got all confused. Having a
suspicion of where I'd find the bits, I rummaged around for 10 mins until I
found what I wanted.
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raden
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine

In message .com,
mollymoonbeam writes
Hi

Thanks for that, but one of my friends said something today about
having to disconnect cold and hot water valves and having to use a
special tool to "cap off" these valves, and it was best to call out a
plumber. Is that right?
If all I have to do is unplug it then I feel a bit silly for coming on
here, but I'll also be pleased if that's the case.

What do trolls need washing machines for ?

--
geoff
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John
 
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Default Help with disconnecting a washing machine


"mollymoonbeam" wrote in message
oups.com...
Just to say that my machine is very old - I bought it 16 years ago by a
company called Thorn, and I don't think they're around anymore. But
thanks very much to everyone who replied. Hopefully, I should be able
to sort it out.

Cheers


Consider tilting the machine and sliding some hardboard under the feet. It
will act as a skid and make it easier to drag the machine across the floor.
The old machine will have rubber pads on the feet that can leave marks on
your floor. The hardboard will also reduce the friction.

(I use the same technique to move my rather heavy TV across the carpet if I
need to get around the back)


John


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