Plumbing in a washing machine is a fairly easy task to accomplish.

If the installation site is already plumbed with the water feeds and waste pipe outlet, then it can be done in no time at all.

Before you follow this guide you must read the terms of our disclaimer.

Washing Machine 1½ inch (40mm) standard feed inlet

To the right is a typical washing machine feed inlet connection. Some washing machines will have two of these feed connectors, one for cold water and the other for hot.

They are used to connect your washing machine to the main water supply. If you have two inlets, the one with the red dot, or marked as H, will be for the hot water feed.

Washing Machine Feed Pipe

In fig 1.2 on the right you can see a standard washing machine feed pipe. It may have been included with your washing machine, if not you will find it in your local DIY store.

These pipes come in various lengths, if you find that the pipe included with your washing machine is not long enough, you can find them in most DIY stores.

The feed pipe is used to connect your washing machine to the mains water supply. Some washing machines will need two pipes, one for hot water and the other for the cold water supply.

In fig 1.3 to the right is a standard 90º 1½ inch (40mm) feed connector, which is found on one end of the feed pipe. This end connects to the washing machine feed inlet.

The 90º angle of the feed connector ensures that the back of the machine will be able to sit closer to the wall/surface.

Shown in fig 1.4 is the other end of the washing machine feed pipe. This is a straight 1½ inch (40mm) feed connector. This end of the pipe should be connected to a 1½ inch (40mm) tap/faucet, which is plumbed into the mains water supply.

Inside each end you can see there is a rubber washer. It is important that these washers are in perfect condition and seated correctly, before connecting the pipe.

Washing Machine Waste Pipe

In fig 1.5 on the right is a standard washing machine waste pipe. This pipe should be connected to a special inlet on the U-bend of a sink or waste pipe. Another method is to place it inside a stand pipe. Both of these methods are discussed later on in this guide.

Connecting the washing machine feed pipe(s)

If the installation site 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 straight connector (fig 1.4) and connect it to the cold tap/faucet by turning it as shown in fig 1.6.

If there isn't a suitable tap/faucet available then you will have to install one yourself. Installing a tap/faucet is beyond the scope of this tutorial, but we will shortly be adding a guide to this task in our plumbing section.

The other end of the feed pipe (90º connector shown in fig 1.3) is then connected to the washing machine's feed inlet (fig 1.1). If your washing machine has hot and cold feeds then repeat the process for the hot water feed pipe.

Connecting the waste pipe

As mentioned earlier, there are a few methods of connecting your washing machine's waste pipe into your existing plumbing.

If the installation site is next to a sink/basin, then the ideal method is to connect the waste pipe to your existing waste and U-bend. There are special pieces available from most DIY stores that fit inbetween the sink/basin waste and the U-bend. These pieces feature a connector suitable for washing machine waste pipes, see fig 1.7 on the right for an example.

Once installed, or if you already have one of these installed, it is a case of simply connecting the waste pipe from the washing machine to the connector.

To connect the waste pipe, simply slide it onto the connector (see fig 1.8). Ensure it is fully seated and firmly in place.

You may need to twist the waste pipe to get it onto the connector.

If you have a stand pipe available, the waste pipe can be inserted directly into the stand pipe. Ensure it is inserted at least 8 inches (20cm) to avoid it dislodging when the washing machine pumps the water through it.

For a more secure solution, there are adaptors available from most DIY stores that will connect to the stand pipe. These adaptors feature a connector suitable for a washing machine waste pipe.