Washing Machine Plumbing UK Members

[aeg03]

Hi all,

I'm in process of buying a new place and going through the usual stuff that goes with getting a new home. The flat is 11 years old but when I went to look at the kitchen, I didn't recall seeing any pipes for the washing machine in the empty slot, just pipes for the boiler that is above.

I thought I checked under the sink, but again, didn't recall seeing any plumbing under there for the washer, but I did check very briefly and didn't expect to get it.

The question is, is it easy to put a tap on the main water tap pipe under the sink and create some sort of outlet for the washing machine. Maybe changing the bit underneath the sink. Has anyone ever had to do this before?

The next dilemma I will have is what washing machine to buy. I really want one with a water jet that I can afford. I normally wouldn't go for a Hoover Candy machine but I like the look of the Pulse 8 jets or perhaps a Beko with jets in it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[BoschExxcel]

Do Beko do jets for the UK market? I'd probably buy a Whirlpool or Bosch but not everyone is so keen on them.

 

[lamont]

I do not know if it's legal to use in the UK, but I would look into the "sharkbite" style of PEX fittings. The fittings do not need to have copper pipes sweated together, instead, you cut out the templated distance between the 2 pipes(PEX,Copper or PVC)push the fitting onto each side of the cut pipe and run a PEX line from the newly added T fitting, to the new washer hookups with a shutoff. Sharkbite even makes hose bibs with the push-fitting design, making it a true cut and push install.

I used PEX and Sharkbite fittings to re-plumb a 1902 home that had the copper stripped out. I did the entire home in a DAY with PEX and those fittings.

http://www.sharkbite.com

 

[ronhic]

Any plumber should be able to sort it out for you....this would be routine work in the UK.

 

[dascot]

I'd be surprised if there wasn't fittings for the washing machine somewhere in the property - it's such a standard thing in any place that's been built in last 20-30 years or more. If not it is, as ronhic says, an easy job. Won't cost much for a plumber or, if you are feeling competent, it isn't too difficult to do yourself.

 

[aeg03]

Perhaps there's something under the sink. I'm just surprised that there are no holes on the side linking pipes through to under the sink. It's a shared ownership flat, so belongs to a housing association, I just own a percentage.

I'm wondering if maybe the side cabinet was repaired with a new side panel when it became empty as I heard that it was unfortunately repossessed.

If there are no fixings, I wonder how on earth the previous person washed their clothes!!

 

[yogitunes]

heres a quick look at adding a faucet or two......

tapping into your drain under the sink should be just as easy with a variety of "T" fitting configurations....you should be hooked up and running in no time...

a dishwasher drain "T" should work for something like this, and installed in minutes....

http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?54914

 

[vacbear58]

Plumbing

As has been noted above, it is surprising that there is no existing plumbing in that space, are you sure it has been used for a washing machine before? It is a bit of a pain that the central heating pipes run down this area as a standard depth machine will stick out, avoid putting the connections behind the machine for the same reason.

Are you kitchen units on adjustable legs? If so the connections might be under the cupboards, that show I normally do it.

Plumbing is the proverbial piece of p*ss as long as you know what you are doing and take care when you are doing it. It is well within the scope of a "do-it-yourself" project

There should be plenty of advice on line or if you are near a Wickes they have instruction sheets for all sorts of activities around the home. If you are anywhere near south or west London give me a shout (email addy in my profile) and I will be glad to have a look at it for you and advise the best way forward.

Al

 

[hoovermatic]

I had a similar situation in a flat I had in Luton many years ago and I bought one of those self tapping things from B&Q. I confess that I was nervous about tapping into the mains water supply especially in a rented property but luckily it was ground floor so no other residents to flood. It worked a treat, never leaked and I highly recommend it!

http://www.screwfix.com/p/self-cutting-tap-15mm-x/21250

 

[aeg03]

Hi guys,

Thank you all for your responses. I went back to the flat at the weekend and I went to look in the slot in the kitchen and luckily, there is an outlet pipe and taps under the sink and there is holes for the pipes for the washing machine.

I didn't look properly when I first went to view the place as it was an open day.

Just can't decide on what type of washing machine I want. I probably wont move in until 2015 now as its a long process. I was thinking about an 8kg 1400RPM Hotpoint quiet washing machine. I considered Hoover Candy but the drums don't look as big. But I do quite fancy the jets in the machines, I do miss my AEG which had a Jetwas. A friend of mine told me to go for a secondhand Miele from Ebay. I really don't want a second hand washer as I know some people wash on low 30 degree programmes, shut the doors when damp and I don't want any mouldy surprises.

I quite like this machine:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/househ...g~0100+(DTP)+MDA+Generic+TV+Deals+-+Laundry~~

 

[aeg03]

Thanks for your help Vacbear,

The flat is in High Wycombe so its not a million miles away but luckily I found out it has plumbing, so I'm very pleased )

 

[washboy2005]

That Hotpoint would be a very good choice.
I have the previous model to this the WMFG741 and its never skipped a beat.

It performs beautifully, never failed with any stain i've thrown at it and the 1400 spin out-performs my mothers 1400 AEG machine.

It's now 15 months old and still performing as great as the day we installed it.
Hotpoint have definitely upped their game with these new ranges and are worlds away from the older WF/WT ranges in terms of performance, build quality and programming.

Dan

 

[aeg03]

Hi Dan,

It looks like it will be the Hotpoint. I too agree that the latest machines seem to be really good and an improvement over the previous ones.

The Indesit Innex which is basically the same look really nice too.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

agree with Washboy2005

my one that's 1 year 3 months old, is still going strong, as new.

That WMFUG model, is a Curry's Exclusive, and IMO great They really are better built over earlier models, and their latest range is even better built over the previous round door range - and there's now the benefit of the 10 year parts guarantee too.

Hope you enjoy moving in, it will be great (once you've unpacked of course)!

 

[aeg03]

Thank you Glenfieldmathk1,

Now I'm in my early 30s. I thought it was time to get on the property market. The flat is the type I wanted. The kitchen and living room is open plan which is why I wasn't a quiet machine.

I noticed the Hotpoint says SMART something on it. I've never noticed an Indesit/Hotpoint having fuzzy logic of some sort of smart technology before Sonia this genuinely true do you think?

The Hoover Pulse 8 also appealed as it has a 'smart' system and also jets inside the drum.

I really want to buy the machine now, but I'd feel safer once I have the keys in my hand.

 

[dascot]

One thing to bear in mind is how far the machine might stick out, particularly if there are pipes behind it that may stop it being pushed right back. Some of the Hotpoints that have the quieter motors are the bigger machines that will stick out further, not all the machines with less than 60cm depth have the quiet motors. That machine you've linked to above doesn't have the super silent motor in it.

 

[aeg03]

The Hotpoint link I out above has a wash sound of 54 dB (A) so it's quieter than their non silent ones which are normally 58 dB (A) to 60 dB (A) so I think it is one of their silent ones. I don't mind it sticking out slightly. As it's boiler pipes behind,it needs to be away from those.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

SMART Tech - is basically 3 options, you choose via a button: Speed+ (a fast wash, consuming more energy & water, but faster duration, around 50% faster). Auto+ (the most energy efficient, adjusting to the load, like fuzzy logic). Clean+ (longer duration, deeper water levels, occasional periods of higher agitation -so distri wash, extra rinse - to ensure that stains are removed).
It will default to Auto+.

The machine linked, does have a Super Silent motor (the noise levels are the same as on mine, you can see vids on my Youtube channel). Its pretty quiet, and I certainly wont be swapping to a non brushless motor is future.
Also it may stick out about once the pipes are in, but generally most do (all brands, including forthcoming Ebac models) these day's, ours for instance is out by about 6cms (because the dryer wont go back no further), so we pulled it forward to match it.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

If you look at the machine, theres a display (with 3 buttons below: Temp, Spin, Delay), theres 3 buttons next to it (Extra Rinse, Reduced Creases, Key Lock/Child Lock), then theres a round button (the round button is the SMART Button).
On The older models it was called wash agitation. It had a delicate option, but they've replaced it with speed, as obviously people weren't using that?

 

[dascot]

Well, that machine doesn't have the super silent logos on it, and nor does Hotpoints website state that it is a super silent one. While those noise levels are quieter than some of the other Hotpoint machines, they are considerably higher than other machines on the market, so if sound level is important to you then you might want to look at others as well as the Hotpoint, particularly considering the spin noise level. My machine has a noise level of 70db when spinning, and I wouldn't really want anything much louder than that, and those Hotpoints are 83db.

However, I can say that one recent Hotpoint I've seen being used is relatively quiet except at high speed. I don't know what the official measurements for that model are, though.

 

[dascot]

One thing to bear in mind with reliability etc. is the electronics. Far more machines break down electronically than mechanically. This is prompted by having just seen my best mate complaining on facebook and twitter this morning that his Hotpoint machine has just had its third replacement main control board. He bought it in February, and is incredibly unimpressed.

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Dascot ... Pictures are for illustrative purposes only

This machine, just like every Hotpoint 8KG+ (and some 7KG like mine), features their brushless motor (they call it super silent), its not super silent, but its certainly quieter than their not brushless motor models. For instance during the spin, there's no high pitch whine or during the wash all you hear is the clothes falling.

Your mate must be very unlucky to have got through 3 boards all ready, mine is still as new 1year 3 months on, with no signs of any faults, touch wood in a years time it'll be still going strong. Generally all the newer ones are improved, as mentioned above. I guess his is an Aqualtis machine?

Remember other than Miele, only Hotpoint offer 10 years on parts.

 

[aquacycle]

Since when did Hotpoint offer 10 years on parts? They're all 5, aren't they? And it's parts only, labour not included.

Personally, I wouldn't touch anything that Indesit-Hotpoint or Candy-Hoover are throwing out but that's just me. On a budget, I'd always go Beko having had great experience with them. They're TOL machines with the chrome doors have induction motors. Failing that, it would be Bosch or Miele all the way.

15 months is nothing to boast about. It's practically still new. Try 15 years, that's more noteworthy

 

[washboy2005]

The higher spec models offered by Hotpoint now come with a 10 year parts warranty I believe. Other models are the standard 5 year parts only.

As stated previously our machines have been stated to have been trouble free so far during ownership. Not neccesarily a statement of overall longevity. Simply sharing our own personal experiences of owning and using modern Hotpoint machines as daily drivers.

I do love Beko machines too and they can't be faulted for the prices! However I'm personally a sucker for anything Hotpoint (always have been).

P.S.
Easiest way to check if its brushless, go to Currys and spin the drum by hand. You'll soon be able to tell if it's brushed or not!

Dan

 

[dascot]

Why would you assume it's an Aqualtis? It is a Futura 1400. And lasting just over a year is no great achievement, I have to say. I would expect nothing less from a machine.

Also, yes pictures are for illustration only, I do understand that. However, it doesn't state it has the super silent motor on the Hotpoint website. That's fine, and it may well have it, but I still think that the sound levels measured are a little on the high side for something that they call silent.

Like AquaCycle, I'm rather confused at your assertion about the 10 year parts warranty. It is a recent development (since 1st October as per link below) and Hotpoint are not the only company that does that, there are other companies that do as well, such as Bosch, LG, etc. on certain parts. We'll see how long they keep it up... Whirlpool used to offer 8 years, and that's been reduced to 5.

http://www.hotpoint.co.uk/10-year-parts-guarantee

 

[superelectronic]

Guarantees on parts

It seems odd to me that Hotpoint are offering 10 year parts guarantees (yes, indeed they are - it surprised me too) yet if you call them out for a repair, the cost is fixed-price including parts. It certainly was when I called them out to fix a 15-year-old machine!

Somehow the guarantee seems meaningless under those circumstances.

Parts may be guaranteed but that doesn't negate the high cost of calling out the manufacturer's service; calling out an independent engineer might mean a lower call-out fee but then you can't avail yourself of the free parts under guarantee!

 

[dascot]

That's the interesting point about these guarantees - the Labour is often the most expensive part, and the parts will often not be given for free unless the work is done by an authorised engineer.

In fact that is the case with Hotpoint. You cannot diagnose it yourself and get free parts, you have to have it done by a Hotpoint engineer.

http://www.hotpoint.co.uk/documents...ions.pdf/8965bbcb-94e7-469d-8353-d177b4767e61

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

Dascot, You've clearly got it in for Hotpoint. Do you actually own one? didn't think so.

Their online prices are for those who do not have the parts guarantee. those who didn't register. Of course you could book online, and pay those extraordinary rates, though phoning them up, you'll realise its a lot cheaper since you have the parts guarantee. Our machine came up for renewal, and wash only £68 to renew. that's parts & Labour covered for another year. (parts free obviously)

Dascot's link does explain what is included/not included yes, but all manufacturers are the same, they won't just sent free parts out to you in the post. All brands that offer a longer Parts guarantee (Candy, Samsung, LG etc) all state that the repair must be carried out by their engineers.

Talking of call out charges, there average for the manufacturers. All manufacturers rates are expensive compared to local repairers, but then you'll have to pay the local repairers for parts that go in, and then it could be the same, or actually more expensive.

We're not all able to fix our own machines ourselves, some need the support to do it, and Hotpoint 10 year parts, is as mentioned above, the only manufacturer (other than Miele to offer this). Their quality is certainly better, even over the previous round door models of Which the Futura is part of.

The SMART Featured in the link is a great machine, 10 year Parts & Their brushless motor installed. yes its 60.5cm deep, but as you say with pipes behind, it'll come out around 3 cm from you worktop, which is nothing.

Final note - couldn't find on Hotpoints facebook page any note about a machine being repaired 3 times (the same part) within 7 months of ownership. Clearly there is wrong with the machine, take it back to Curry's, and get the to replace it, they have to - its not fit for purpose. They could even replace it with the SMART model instead, and no more flaws, for hopefully touch wood 10 years.

Aqua cycle, you'll be very lucky if Beko goes to 15 years. Did you see the news article about the person that was killed by one of their products? They are to date has the worst record of problems. (even more than Hotpoint).

Anyway. All that aside I hope your new machine & home is great, send us pictures please, let us know how it all goes

 

[aquarius1984]

3 cm is nothing?

It is everything when you have just spent 6k on a new utility room and a protruding machine spoils the look of the units

 

[dascot]

Mat - I don't "have it in" for Hotpoint, and whilst I don't own one now I have owned several in the past, each of which had their problems. I wouldn't buy one now until there's been a fair amount of time with better electronic and mechanical reliability. You, on the other hand, appear to see nothing wrong with them and would defend them against anything. Fair enough, that's your opinion, and I disagree.

My mate is currently in discussion with the retailer they purchased the machine from - Hotpoint have said they won't replace it, so going through retailer to see what they can offer. They're not interested in a replacement Hotpoint though, they don't want the hassle.

Sticking out a little bit from the cabinets / worktop may not be a problem for some, but it could be for others. It may, for instance, stop cabinet doors from opening. We don't know what aeg03's set up is in the kitchen and it's up to him if he minds the machine sticking out.