Let's Talk About Washing Machine Hoses

[launderess]

Shall we?

Other than mentioned in passing don't think we've ever discussed washing machine hoses in depth. To some it just might be "what is there to discuss?". Connect washer to hose, connect same to faucet and if it doesn't leak that is all.

But wondered do any of you lot spring for fancy braided steel hoses? Stick with rubber? Swap things out every several years regardless? How to do you extend too short of a hose?

Began thinking about the subject of washing machine hoses now that the Lavamat toplader will soon begin going into service. It came equipped with one of those Electrolux "aqua stop" hoses which one cannot abide. Not only are the things bulky, but won't fit my sink faucet connection. In short the thing has to go, so have been hunting fleaPay and various European spares sites for replacement.

First off had no idea how difficult it is to find a "hot" water hose in Europe. As befitting my cold fill only toplader the aquastop hose is for cold water. Since intend (for now) to use hot for some cycles to get round heater, that won't do.

Finally ran some "red" hoses to ground but despite their branded names all seemed to have same rather generic look. Is there really a difference between branded name hoses and aftermarket?

A friend put me onto fill hoses "made in Italy" as they are supposed to be superior to the Chinese stuff most everyone else sources their spare hoses. But I don't know.... Miele hoses would work but am not paying > $70 for a plain hose (don't ask about their version of aquastop).

From what one was able to find many aren't thrilled with those aquastop hoses either. Besides their bulk they seem prone to leaking, difficult to fit in some instances and in general seem more bother than they are worth. Since always turn off the taps after wash day am not that worried about bursting/flooding, so don't see the point.

 

[rp2813]

Extensions

I needed super long supply hoses for my Maytag A712 due to how things are situated at the new house.  I couldn't find hoses that were long enough, so instead got two brass fittings/nipples from Home Depot (in store or on line) that are male hose thread on both ends.  I used them to join two 4' standard laundry supply hoses together for both hot and cold lines and that has worked fine.

 

I recall from when we got our new Duet pair at the pre-previous house and the washer door opening required that the machines be flipped from the configuration that had been used for some 50 years.  This required extra long supply hoses for the washer, which was no longer adjacent to the laundry sink.  The longer hoses could only be found in the braided variety.   

 

I didn't feel it was worth the expense of braided for the A712 since it rarely sees any use.

 

I can't speak to the "smart" hose nonsense other than to state that I'd want no part of it.

 

[DADoES]

 
Braided hoses aren't all stainless steel.  F&P includes braided hoses (or did at purchase of mine) and they're deteriorated and shredding (the braided exterior jacket, not the rubber hose inside) probably from some years of UV exposure through the three large glass block windows that catch west sun.

 

[bewitched]

After watching several tv shows about american houses and how they are done i don’t wonder anymore you have so many difficulties dealling with aquastops and hoses. Miele washing machine can be fitted with three kinds of hoses, metal, plain or with aquastop. Aquastop on Miele machines cannot be defeated as it is electrical. The metal hose is called waterproof metal and it is most commonly fitted on top load machines. The plain hose is found on basic models only. The aquastop you have on your Electrolux /aeg machine is likely to be the all mechanical type. If you have this last kind of aquastop then you can unscrew it easily and replace it with a plain hose. I have a miele machine with hot and cold filling hoses but the hot hose is just the same as the cold one.If you want a miele hose i have no difficulties to send one to you without problems.

 

[askolover]

I kept the factory hoses on the Miele, and the Asko came with PEX lines...they are very stiff but as far as I know they are tough.

 

[launderess]

Morning all!

Kept the original Miele hoses when the W1070 arrived, and they have held up wonderfully.

IIRC the AEG Lavamat 88840-W came with an "Aquastop" hose which promptly was swapped out for a normal European hot water intake hose. Maddening thing about European washing machines is that even with same 3/4" threads something is slightly different so American hoses won't fit properly. Miele tech when first came out to install "Big Bertha" explained things in detail.

Happily the AEG Lavamat toplader has only the mechanical aquastop hose so like the 88840 can easily get shot of the thing, and replace with something more suitable.

Am leaning towards these: https://www.amazon.com/Kelaro-Stainless-Steel-Washing-Machine/dp/B077XT5ZY3

Not so much for the braided SS, but the length of things. Happily the toplader does have a wheel system which allows for ease of movement. This will allow storage out of the way (third in line after the Miele, and other AEG), but too far from sink and tap. Will have to shift the thing each time wants using. With that in mind longer fill hose will be useful to eliminate long run with possibly multiple connections.

Again as noted above North American hoses won't fit European machines, so am swapping out the aquastop with this: https://www.amazon.com/Kelaro-Stainless-Steel-Washing-Machine/dp/B077XT5ZY3

A friend moving house has a Bosch washer fill hose that is mine for taking. Not sure if it will fit the AEG and it is only 1.5 meter, but with a ten foot hose extension might work.

Bewitched thank you for the kind offer, have already ordered the hose from your neck of the woods (Italy). But may still take you up on it in future as sort things out in my laundry area. *LOL*

 

[yogitunes]

as a general rule....hoses should be replaced every 5 years....and there are those who turn off the taps when the machine is not in use, so it may not be much of a concern...

there are hoses with a built in flow regulator, anything over 2 gpm, and it shuts off...amazing the amount of people who install them backwards...

I have a few sets that are 10 feet long, found at a local appliance parts place....but as luck would have it, HomeDepot carries them too....

if you need to connect two together, as Ralph mentioned, they sell brass MGH x MGH connectors...

but in reality, there is no justification of buying the more expensive steel braided hoses over plain rubber....

had a Bosch dishwasher that had a leak detector inside, it would drain and shut off if water was detected....plus the braided fill hose....and yet the valve under the sink is what cracked open causing a flood....so all of that other stuff seemed like a waste and false sense of security...

amazing too, washing machine hoses must be purchased separately when getting a new machine....not included anymore

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Whirlpool-10-ft-Black-Rubber-Washer-Hose-2-Pack-8212656RP/202204747

 

[launderess]

@Yogi

Looks as if those 10' hoses are only available for ordering online with in store pickup or delivery. Either way likely would come out to about same as the SS hoses on Amazon. Still may take a walk down to HD near Bloomingdales this weekend and see what there is to see.

Brass MGH x MGH connectors? Who do you think you're playing with, kids? *LOL*

Have a bag full of them in my stash. Along with a bunch of Qualtex hose joiners for European washer discharge hoses. The Miele, AEG, and now the toplader all required extensions on drain and fill hoses, so learned after the first best to keep them in stock just in case, I mean you never know do you?

Only washer that doesn't require is the Hoover TT.

Will say prefer the quality of European discharge hoses and extensions. They don't kink and seem to last forever. OTOH the American versions (purchased mostly at Ace/True Value) seem only to last a few years or so before springing a leak. [this post was last edited: 12/27/2018-07:29]

 

[gansky1]

I have a baker's dozen washers hooked up at any given time, some with rubber hoses that I've had for years. As Martin said, I've had more troubles with washer and plumbing valves than I have with the actual hoses. I have found some of the braided SS hoses are more restrictive than earlier cousins, reducing the flow rate in machines like the GE FF and WP, etc. that don't have fixed flow rates for time-fill metering.

The Sundberg appliance parts store I frequent carries 10 foot black rubber supply hoses in stock that come in very handy for odd installations in the "oh this would be cool looking" arrangements of the vintage machines. Sundberg also has 10 foot 30A dryer cords that have been even more handy. Local codes vary but most of these items can readily be had on eBay as well. A local plumbing supply house also will make hoses to any length needed.

 

[kb0nes]

I worry more about the hose having a known name brand on it then if it is wrapped in metal braid. If the manufacturer isn't proud enough to put their name on it I don't want it either, metal braid or not.

Metal braid on hoses is really nothing but window dressing, it is there for marketing. Hoses very seldom fail due to bursting along the length of the hose, they are more likely to fail at a crimped end. The best thing the metal braid offers is some abrasion resistance, but you don't need that if there is a little attention when the hoses are installed.

I pay attention to the ends more then the hose. I want machined brass ends and a well executed crimp. Pretty sure all my current hoses are Fluidmaster brand and they are metal braided as it is about all that you can find these days.

I think most of the manufacturers stopped supplying hoses with new machines. This is a pity as they were generally good quality. Cost reduction and possibly reduction of liability are the likely reasons.

 

[lowefficiency]

I could see reduction in liability being true.

There is also an environmental factor - My local ReStore typically has two bins full of washing machine hoses, almost always new and sealed in the packages, and often with an appliance manufacturer's branding. People just don't always need new hoses, nor are the freebies in the box necessarily always a workable length for every installation. So many of them simply get tossed.

The same is true for dryer cords.. piles and piles of them discarded when new... although that situation is slightly more complicated by the change in code requirements (3 vs 4 pin), so including one with a machine is always a gamble.

 

[lowefficiency]

On the subject of hoses, how many people are using water hammer arrestors?

I use the thread-on style on our machines to lessen the banging pipes... but I did read at one point that they helped prolong the life of the rubber hoses by minimizing some of that pressure spike.

 

[whatsername]

We have all braided hoses, and the house (new construction) came with hammer arrestors on the lines for the washer, dishwasher, and ice maker. No banging pipes so far.

 

[launderess]

Often given advice

That hoses should be new when swapping out an old machine for new is usually disregarded. Thus it isn't surprising there is a surplus of "NOS" hoses given away or whatever including thrifts. Am sure much of the merchandise on fleaPay, FB and other such sites come from same place; people with hoses surplus to requirements.

There is also fact many find hoses that do come with washing machines today far too short for their needs.

IIRC most common "give away" length is only five feet.

 

[iowabear]

Good discussion.  I know I had replace the hoses that came with my 2006 Neptune because one was starting to bulge. 

 

However I neglected to attach a piece of masking tape to the new ones with the date I replaced them.  Years go by, now I have no idea how old they are.  Probably time replace them again.  Someday I will learn.

 

[mattl]

Old hoses...

One of my sets are Kenmore Electronic 90's from -- the mid 90's!  They are connected to the same hoses since they were installed new, and I have no intention of replacing them unless they break.  Of course in my case the washer is in a basement sitting over a floor drain, so other that a bigger water bill  and perhaps a few loose floor tiles I'm at little risk.  On a main floor set-up I might consider replacing them, but I have a hunch they are better constructed than the new hoses.

 

[DADoES]

 
Not unusual in these parts that the connection ends get corroded/deteriorated over time, particularly on "outdoor" installations -- garage, porch, out-shed.

Happened to notice once when checking a problem at one of RJ's rentals that one of the hoses on the machine was blistered/bulging near the faucet end.

So, yeah, it happens.

 

[DADoES]

 
The deteriorated braiding on my F&P supply hoses.