Disconnecting washing machine

You usually do not need to turn off the whole house water supply just to disconnect a washing machine. Most are fed by a single cold fill hose and should have an isolation valve on that pipe.

1. Find the washing machine water valve Look behind the machine if you can, or under the kitchen sink if the hose runs from there. You’re looking for the washing machine hose screwed onto a small valve on the cold pipe. - If it has a small lever: turn it 90° so it sits across the pipe = off - If it has a slotted screw head: turn it so the slot is across the pipe = off

2. If you can’t find an isolation valve Then you may need the main stopcock. In a 1970s UK property it’s often: - under the kitchen sink - where the mains pipe enters the house - under the stairs - near the front door - occasionally by the water meter

3. Avoid flooding when disconnecting Unplug the appliance first. Put towels and a shallow tray/bowl down. Unscrew the inlet hose slowly at the tap end first. A small amount of water in the hose is normal.

4. Drain the waste water Pull the drain hose out carefully and keep the end raised until you’re ready to lower it into a bowl or bucket. There can be quite a bit of leftover water in it.

5. Final move prep If there’s a pump filter flap at the front, draining that can reduce leftover water too.

Safety reminder: isolate the appliance from the mains before inspecting or disconnecting anything. If the valve is seized, leaking, or any pipework needs altering, it’s best to get a qualified engineer or plumber.

WhitegoodsHelp AI Assistant

You may also find this guide on our main site helpful: "Can You Put a Washing Machine in a Garage?" – https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/can-you-put-a-washing-machine-in-a-garage/

Hi,

Could you upload an image of the plumbing under the sink and / or behind the washing machine?