All about the Plumbing for the installation of your Washing Machine
Washing Machine Plumbing
Most plumbing systems require experience and a logical common sense approach.
Washing Machine plumbing - set-up
Connecting up a washing machine (WM) works extremely well when done properly.
If it is not, you can expect almost certain problems, to the point of possibly flooding your home!
You have come to the right place – if you are:
- At the planning stage of your new home.
- Renovating your laundry area.
- Replacing the old washing machine with a new one.
- Relocating to your newly purchased or leased home.
- Having problems with your existing or new installation.
- After some ideas for your washing machine plumbing.
- Looking for Tips & Warnings when installing your washing machine.
The following information will keep you on the right track for code compliance and gaining best value for money for the installation of your new/old washing machine. So take plenty of notes or just simply “print off a copy”.
Your Washing Machine Plumbing has been separated under the following topics:
- Planning and investigation of your washing machine plumbing services and installation
- Washing Machine Drain.
- Washer Hose|Washing Machine Hose.
- Tips, Warnings & Tools.
Washing Machine Installation – Planning & Investigation of Plumbing Services
1. Determine what services are required for the washing machine installation.
- Usually a drainage point.
- Hot water connection
- Cold water connection.
- Washing suds return hose point.
- A power point. Electrical services are not included in this post and it is advisable to consult with your electrician.
2. Planning is important. The more planned you are the less chance of problems. This will assist you and the plumber (if required). Your time and costs will be minimised due to unforeseen issues along with the relevant information being available at your finger tips. Things to plan:
- What position is the washing machine to be located. Is there enough space for it to fit in?
- Bench top heights in relation to washing machine height.
- Draw a scaled plan view of the installation.
- Show elevations of the walls with locations of taps, power points, bench tops, tiling, windows, doors, plumbing services and lighting (overshadowing issues).
- Where is the laundry tub located? Does the washing machine need to be placed adjacent?
- Is there a clothes dryer?
- Will this room be functional?
- What is the spacial requirements for all the items in this room.
- Will piping need to be run in walls, ceilings or under floors.
- Keep all the information together in a folder – scan it in to your computer.
- Plan dates and times with tradesman and purchases for the various items of your washing machine installation.
3. Locate the existing plumbing services.
- sewer drainage – Where will the washing machine drain or washer drain hose connect to? Find or get a copy of the house or property sewer service diagram. This will show the in-ground sewer drainage pipe locations. Not all governing authorities require these. They will be of assistance if you do not have a drainage point or access under the floor.
- hot water tap or the location of the hot water piping to connect to.
- cold water tap or the location of the cold water piping to connect to.
- Is there a floor drain?
4. 
What is the water pressure of the hot and cold water services?
- The operation of fast acting solenoid valves within the washing machine may cause water hammer. Washing machines and dishwashers being the main culprits of this occurring. Water hammer arrestors will be needed if your water pressures are found to be high. An alternative is to install a pressure reduction valve. This can be located at the start of the cold water system.
- Connect a pressure gauge to the cold water service and write down the readings. Authority water main pressures can fluctuate considerably. Get a reading in the early hours of the morning and during peak times of the early evening. If on private tank water this will be unnecessary.
5. Determine the plumbing materials and fittings required to plumb the washing machine up.
- What connections have been provided by the washing machine manufacturer? Have you got them?
- What are the connection sizes for the water connectors?
- How long are the hoses and will they reach your desired connection points.
- Are the washing machine tap threads the same as the hose connectors?
6. Determine the plumbing materials of the new and existing services.
- Specialised fittings may be required when connecting to older piping services.
- write a list of the existing pipe materials, sizes and fittings needed to make connections. (that is if you need to extend the plumbing services to your desired locations?
- Write a list of the new piping and fittings required to be installed
7. Is there a floor drain in the room for your washing machine installation?
- Does the floor drain connect to the sewer drainage?
- Does the floor drain discharge via an open end to the garden outside?
- Does the floor drain directly to the outdoors – no drain needed.
- If none of the above plan how the floor will drain to prevent damage from accidental flooding by washing machine or laundry tub overflows or hoses bursting.
Washing Machine Drain
Washing machines typically are supplied with a flexible plastic or rubber hose which is connected to a drain point located near the rear base of the washing machine with a hose clamp. This hose is flexible to:
- Allow the washing machine to be moved in and out of its location for servicing and to gain access to the hose connections at the rear.
- Minimise issues with the vibrations transmitted from the washing machine during its cycles.
Remember that the water after washing your clothes is pumped from the washing machine. If it is not installed correctly, flooding may occur.
The choices you have to connect the other end of this flexible hose from the washing machine is to:
- The laundry tub. The older style laundry tubs had the washing machine drain line simply draped over the edge of a laundry tub or utility sink, where they empty to the sink or tubs drain. In some cases, the tub or sink, was plugged and filled with the used washing water. This used water was returned to the washing machine, via a suds return hose, to minimise water wastage by pre-washing another load of heavily soiled work clothes. New laundry tubs have a washing machine drain hose connection, at the rear, and on both sides. A plug is provided by the manufacturer to plug the unused side.
washing machine drain - slung hose
washing machine drain - laundry tub connection points
- A stand pipe, typically located at the rear against the wall. Usual requirements is a 50mm (2 inch) diameter vertical drainage pipe terminating 850-900mm (34-36 inches) above the floor. The flexible drain hose is inserted at least 200mm (8 inches) into this stand pipe to avoid it dislodging when the water pumps through it.
washing machine drain - stand pipe
- A “washing machine/washer box“. If your planning on having a finished laundry room then appearance is important; therefore, installing a washer box with all the plumbing hidden inside the wall is the best option. A washer box comes complete with a hot and cold faucet connection as well a stand pipe hole for the drain, easily mounting
Washing Machine Drain - Washer box with piping in stud wall
between wall framing members. Some washer boxes will also have water hammer arrestors built-in, to lessen the effects of water hammer caused by the fast acting washing machine solenoid valves. Washer boxes are typically installed 1200mm 48 inches above finished floor level.
washing machine drain - Washer box, drain with water hammer arrestors
- If you do not have a sewer drain to tap into, you may have to remove the concrete floor (If slab on ground) or investigate and locate a sewer drainage point under the floor. This may require you to cut into the actual main sewer house drain to install a stand pipe. The configuration and length of new drainage pipe may require a vent pipe or air admittance valve (to prevent self syphon-age or loosing the trap seal releasing sewer odours). This can become a very tall order to complete. Consulting with a plumber before attempting this type of installation is the best way to ensure you comply with local codes and complete the task in a safe and permanent manner.
The washing machine drain hose needs to rise to a height above the washing machine’s rim (flood level) to prevent self siphoning from occurring.
Washer Hose/Washing Machine Hose
Washing machine hose - hot water 900 bend connector to washer
Supply Hoses
If the location for the washing machine already has a suitable tap/faucet (two in the case of hot & cold feed washing machines) then it is simply a case of connecting the feed pipe. Take the end of the female threaded washing machine hose connectors and connect to the taps/faucets.
The washing machine hose having the red end fitting should be connected between the hot water supply tap and the connection adjacent to the letter H on the rear of the machine.This end of the hose usually has the connector with a 90º bend to ensure that the washing machine sits as close as possible to the rear wall. The hose having the blue end fitting should be connected between the cold supply and the threaded connection adjacent to the letter ‘C’ on the rear of the machine.
If you find the hoses, that came your washing machine, to be too short, then make inquiries at your plumbing supplier. The washing machine hoses come in various lengths to suit your needs.
Ensure the sealing washer is in each connection.
- In some instances a filter gauze may be incorporated with the sealing washer.
- You will see these neoprene washers in the connectors.
- It is important that these washers seals are in perfect condition and seated correctly, before connecting them to the appropriate point.
Seal washer with gauze to go in washing machine hose connector
- The old style black hoses are no longer the accepted standard. Rubber deteriorates over time. Washing machine hose with blow out bubble – ready to burs
Braided stainless steel washing machine hoses are being adopted at the premium end. For peace of mind and a flood free home!
Water Supply
A washing machine receives hot and cold water from ordinary branch water lines, typically 15mm (½”)pipes. In most homes these days, the supply pipes run into an open-front plastic box set into the wall, known as a washer box. There, each water line terminates at a shut-off valve that controls the flow of water to the washer (with some configurations, the valves are spliced into water lines that continue on to supply other fixtures, such as a laundry tub/utility sink.
Water Pressure
- It is important to find out the water pressure in the house hot and cold water piping.
- High water pressure connected to your washing machine is likely to cause water hammer – shock waves caused by the abrupt valve action of washing machine’s solenoid valve.
- The amount of pressure in the piping will assist in determining the correct water hammer arrestor device required for your circumstances.
If the location or no taps/faucets are available, then investigation, locating and positioning your new taps is required. Remove the plasterboard wall or expose the pipework chased into the existing brick walls will be required.
Water hammer arrestors in recessed washer box
Installing the washing Machine
- The washing machine must be level and all four feet should be in firm contact with the floor.
- Each foot is adjustable but normally it is only necessary to adjust one of the front feet to achieve stability. Failure to make the washing machine level may affect stability and vibration.
- Use a spirit level sitting on top of the machine to check the level before use.
- Ensure the drain hose (hooked pipe) is secured to the rear of the machine with support clips and route to the right or left as required.
- Care must be taken that the washing machine hose is not obstructed, twisted or that the end of it is not submerged in water. If the hose is connected with an airtight joint, provision should be made to prevent self siphoning.
Washing Machine Plumbing
Tips & Warnings
- Check with your local building and plumbing codes and regulations before beginning work. Obtain any required permits or use licensed or qualified tradesman as required. There are plumbing rules.
- Ensure branches, tees, elbows, trap and standpipe fit together correctly before gluing (solvent cementing) the joints together. Once the solvent cement dries, the connections cannot be loosened, moved or adjusted. Ensure that you do not work yourself into a corner or end up with two fixed points.
- Check that the washing machine space or room has a floor drain or the floor grades to the outside of the house. This will prevent your home from flood and damage should the washing machine overflow or leaks.
- Ensure the flexible drain hose from the washing machine rises above the rim level before dropping again and discharging over the stand pipe or laundry tub connection. This prevents self syphoning of the wastewater.
- Do not over-tighten the washing machine connections by using tools – hand tight is sufficient to prevent leaks
Tools and Materials You May Need
- PVC tubing
- PVC Junction
- Hacksaw
- Sandpaper
- brackets and clips
- Screws and fasteners
- Screwdriver
- Reciprocating saw
- Utility knife
- 90-degree PVC elbow
- 50mm (2-inch) diameter PVC standpipe drain with trap assembly
- PVC solvent glue and primer
- Basic carpentry tools
- Soldering tools / PEX tools
- Washer Box
- Plumbing Permit/license may be required in your area
Further Help Needed!
The plumbing connection for a washing machine is a fairly straightforward process. A person of a moderate “handyman” should be able to accomplish this task. This blog describes some basic rules, rough-in information and images to assist you. If you encounter any problems along the way, just ask for help in our Plumbing Forum (coming soon).
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