Almost every person is faced with the connection of household appliances in our time. And if we are talking about electrical appliances, the operation of which depends on complex connections and provides for high-quality settings, then it is worth entrusting it to specialists. But anyone can deal with the question of how to install a washing machine if they have basic skills in working with a tool. It will also help to save some amount, which will probably not be superfluous in the family budget.
Tools for the job
Before starting installation work, prepare the following tools:
- pliers;
- adjustable wrench;
- Phillips and straight screwdriver.
Unboxing
It is not uncommon for this first step to damage the washing machine. Therefore, before installing the washing machine, you need to carefully unpack it. It is advisable not to throw away the packaging with foam plates, as they are a prerequisite for maintaining the warranty. Such a thing is bought for many years and it is not known how long it will last. This means that the possibility is not ruled out thatyou will have to transport it to another place.
After unpacking, be sure to unscrew the shipping bolts and put them in a box. In place of the bolts, decorative strips are installed that come with the kit.
Pre-training
- First, let's figure out how to properly install the washing machine. You should start by measuring the required space in which the unit will be located. This is necessary to determine the correct hose length. It is recommended to place the washing machine near the connection points to the sewerage and water supply. The distance between the walls of the machine and the walls, toilet bowl, sink, bathtub and other objects should not be less than 10 cm.
- It is recommended to connect directly to the mains, without an extension cord, adapters or tees. The fact is that modern washing machines are quite functional and powerful, which is accompanied by a significant consumption of electricity. And safety requires direct connection of powerful electrical appliances in order to avoid overloading the electrical network at the junction of the contacts.
- Install a washing machine, both automatic and semi-automatic, should be connected with new hoses. It is important to note right away that many manufacturers complete modern washing machines with two separate hoses for hot and cold water. Each such hose is marked in red and blue, respectively.
Instructions for connection
- Let's start by connecting the washing machine to the sewer. On the back of the machine there are holes, among which is the outlet of the drain system. It is usually black in color and placed at the bottom. To be sure, you can refer to the instructions, which will indicate the names of all the outputs of the machine. A hose is connected to the drain, which is supplied with the machine. It is usually corrugated and made of plastic.
To install the drain hose of the washing machine, as in all such cases, the junction is clamped with a clamp. The other end of the hose is inserted into the riser of the drain line. It is not so easy to make such a connection - plumbing services may be needed. Of course, you can not connect directly to the sewer riser, but to the sink, bath or shower drain system. To do this, you will need to purchase the necessary branching node and install it.
But you can go the simplest way and every time you wash, drain the water into the sink, bathtub or toilet by lowering the drain hose of the machine into them.
- Next, a hose (or two hoses, depending on the model of the washing machine) is connected to supply water. You should not try to tighten the hose all the way, as the threads on the machine are usually made of plastic and may crack. Yes, and there is no need to make so much effort, because the hose is screwed into the machine to a great depth and has a rubber gasket that preventswater leak.
- Before you install the washing machine, you need to connect it to the mains.
- After the operation of the machine is checked for leaks in the system. To do this, the first wash cycle is started. After its completion, all connection points are checked.
If the first start was successful and no leaks were found in the system, then we move the machine to its workplace. Now it's time to figure out how to install the washing machine so that it doesn't "jump".
Eliminating vibrations during the operation of the washing machine
Based on the experience of specialists, there are main reasons that provoke the appearance of sudden movements of the washing machine during operation. Consider the options for preventing and eliminating this phenomenon:
- Check that there are no shipping bolts that hold the drum and tank together during shipping.
- Before you install the washing machine on the workplace, you should set its legs in level. Do not ignore this rule, not only because of possible vibrations during operation, but also due to the development of an imbalance in the drum and a shift in the center of its rotation due to the uneven position of the machine.
- The floor must be perfectly flat so that the legs set to the level do not stray during the operation of the machine. In such cases, locknuts are placed on the legs or filled with liquid nails.
- Slippery floors can also cause the washing machine to move randomly across the floor. Here the problem is solved with a rubber mat or pads for each leg of the same material.
Features of connecting to drain communications
Washing machines have different drain systems. Some models do not have special check valves. Such machines can discharge water in one direction. Therefore, their connection to the sewer must be carried out taking into account the limitation of the minimum height at which the end of the drain hose is connected to the drain point. This height is in the range from 60 to 90 cm from the floor level. The drain hose connection level is usually indicated in the instructions for installing the washing machine. If the drain hose is not connected to the sewer, and the water is drained into the sink, bathroom or toilet, you must use a plastic holder that pounces on the side at the drain point.
Location of the washing machine in the bathroom
Of course, this is the first place where such equipment is placed. This is easy to do when there is enough space around for any items. But how to install a washing machine in a Khrushchev's bathroom, the size of which allows you to do nothing more than just go to the "patch" in the bathroom? And at the same time not only install, but also get the opportunity to use it. In such conditions, it is important to place the washing machine correctly, following these rules:
- The washing machine is an ordinary electrical appliance, which, due to its metal construction and operation from the mains, is very “afraid” of moisture. Therefore, such a device should not be placed near a bathtub, sink or shower.
- The top of the machine is often subjected to mechanical stress, havingflat surface used for a variety of uses. Such a widespread use is not correct, since it is under the top cover that the entire electronic part of the machine is located, and its use as a table is not intended by the manufacturer.
- In order not to overload the power supply and water pump of the machine, it is recommended to locate it in close proximity to the connection points to the sewerage and power supply.
Kitchen Installation
When it is impossible to place a washing machine in the bathroom, then you should think about how to install a washing machine in the kitchen. Such an example came to us from the West at the beginning of the century, and it turned out that it has its advantages.
In order for the machine to fit organically into the kitchen interior, it should be initially thought out taking into account its future presence. Then the presence of a washing machine in general may go unnoticed. At the same time, the quadrature of the kitchens exceeds the size of the bathrooms, and therefore you can experiment more boldly with the placement of the washing machine. The most important is the convenience of its use and compliance with the rules of placement, similar to the installation in the bathroom.
Under-sink installation
This method appeared as a result of small-sized bathrooms. Especially when you can find free space in the apartment only in this way, how to install a washing machine under the sink. But you need to pick up a car with a height of 60-70 cm, otherwise it will not work for such a purpose.will be suitable. When making this choice, you immediately need to put up with the small capacity of the washing machine drum.
The sink also needs to be selected appropriate. Best suited for sinks with a back drain, where the pipe runs to the sewer along the wall and does not interfere with the installation of the machine. But their range is minimal, and you have to choose from 1-2, maximum 3 options.
The features of such an installation are complemented by the difficulty of finding such sinks, and small-sized washing machines with high performance and a variety of functions are practically absent. Therefore, making this choice, you will have to accept many inconveniences in the bathroom.
Location in the hallway
You can independently install a washing machine both in the bathroom or in the kitchen, and in the hallway. If there are channels for draining and supplying water, this option is quite acceptable. As already mentioned, taking into account the squareness of some apartments, it is often not necessary to choose.
Prevention
Once every three months it is recommended to carry out a cycle of cleaning the system from scale, falling asleep instead of powder 250 g of citric acid. For those who do not trust folk remedies, you can also use special powders that contain all the necessary ingredients to clean the system.
Washing machine tips
- After washing, always turn off the supply tapwater into the machine, which will protect against constant water pressure in the system, leading to premature wear of the washing machine.
- If the machine is not used for a long time, it is advisable to run a small “idle” wash cycle at least once every couple of months so that the rubber pads in the system do not dry out. Otherwise, breakdowns and leaks in the system may occur.
- If it is not possible to directly connect the machine to the mains, then you should definitely pay attention to the cross section of the wire that will provide power to the machine. Its thickness must be at least 2.5 mm, and all contacts must be tightly tightened. Violation of these rules often leads to overheating of contacts, burning them or breaking the mains.
- If it is not possible to connect to the drainage system using a standard length hose, it can be extended with an additional hose and a connecting adapter. However, it should be borne in mind that the water supply to the system occurs due to the pressure in the water supply, while the water is drained directly by the washing machine. Therefore, a drain hose length of more than 3 m can lead to overloads of the washing machine pump, its premature wear and failure.
Since the correct installation and connection of the washing machine directly affects its durability and smooth operation, it is worth taking all installation work very seriously. According to statistics, about half of all breakdowns of household appliances are associated with violations of the manufacturer's instructions for installing devices. Thanks to this article, you can figure it out on your own,how to properly install a washing machine. Indeed, if the connection is incorrect, not only the electrical appliance fails, but also the manufacturer's warranty is lost.
