G'day folks:
Just a quick question - how easy is it to disconnect a washer? My new one is being delivered on the weekend, and they'll install the new one, take the old one away - as long as it's been disconnected.
Is this a DIY job for someone without much knowledge?
Thanks,
KD
Yes, no, definitely, maybe, and it all depends.
If your hoses are in good shape, the faucet they tie into is in good shape, they SHOULD come right off with a pair of channel locks. The drain is a slip in thing, sometimes having a safety wire or zip tie to keep it from falling out of the receptacle when a blast of water hits it. The electrical cord comes right out.
TURN THE WATER OFF AT THE VALVES AT THE END OF THE HOSES. Some washers have a simple lever that turns both hot and cold off together. Some faucets are cranky, old, corroded, or all these. The worst case scenario is that you have trouble with the valves. Disconnect the hoses from the washing machine, and don't mess with the hose ends on the faucet except to check for tightness.
Check the nut on the stem of the valve to make sure it is SNUG, NOT TIGHT. Don't crank down the valves hard, just enough to shut off the water. Watch for leaks, both when you have the hoses off, and after hooking up the new one.
Use a bucket to catch what is in the hoses. Make sure if there are any screens in there that can be taken out and cleaned you do so.
Use this opportunity to switch to braided hoses if not already on there. If you have to cheap it out, at least change the rubber washers while it's all apart.
You can do it, just go slow and watch the valves. If you see a lot of corrosion and crud, you may have problems. If they're relatively clean, it should be no problem.
I hate that word .................. should.
Good luck.
Steve
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