Am about to get a newer machine. Currently have regular valves at the wall (recessed in a small box). Can I add lever type valves after the existing valves (which are very hard to turn). Also, is that armored hose worth the cost?
Lou
Only if you have an unarmored one burst... :)
--
Why not just replace the existing gate valves with a ball valve (lever turn) valve set up. You can buy them as a single lever which turns off both valves at once or a two lever set up. Shouldn't be a problem to replace them, especially for a plumber. Although I'm sure you could jury rig a setup with additional ball valves after the existing valves. The problem with the existing valves is that eventually they get so hard to turn that you don't turn them off between wash sessions and then, when a hose breaks or washer fill level malfunctions, you have to run for the main house valve to shut it down. What's the cost for a pair of steel braid reinforced hoses..$22 versus $12 for the old rubber only hoses? If a rubber hose breaks, it usually bursts open and floods the house, while the steel reinforcement will prevent the bursting, only leaking until you catch it and replace it. The peace of mind would be worth the $10 difference to me.
Tom G
I don't know anyone who does turn off their valves between wash sessions. Most houses have the valves inacessible behind the machine, you'd have to climb on top of the machine or pull the machine away from the wall to turn off the valves.
I know a few people who turn their valves off on vacation, when the house is going to be unoccupied for weeks, but most don't even do that.
Does anyone actually turn off their valves between every load of wash?
snipped-for-privacy@phred.org wrote: ...
Oh, I'm sure there's somebody...
--
If the existing valves are hard to turn, I'd suggest getting them replaced.
Where is your machine and what will the water damage if a hose ruptures?
In my personal opinion, washing machine hoses, sink hoses, and toilet fill hoses are all very bad places to save money. (Once had a client whose teething puppy had found the toilet fill hose. The upstairs one, of course. While the client was away at work.)
Possibly because they're in one of the stinkin' little "in-the-wall" cubbies that doesn't have sufficient clearance for the handles would be my reading...had one of them in a previous house--what a pita.
--
wrote
I can reach mine just fine, but I never turn them off. Of course, I picked up some metal hoses, to me it just seems like a plan. My neighbors didn't, and one of their rubber hoses burst while they were on vacation. That was a hell of a mess.
nancy
There are short-lever quarter-turn valves made for just that location, I have them in my house.
I woke up in the morning and heard the water running. I don't know how long it had been running but I'm pretty sure less than an hour, maybe less than 10 minutes, and the basement was a mess. I can only guess what it would be like if I had been at work for 9 hours or out of town for 9 days.
That's when I learned about stainless-steel woven armored hoses, and I use them.
I can't reach my valves but even if I could I wouldn'tt turn them off every time.
Is your washing machine outside and near a drainage ditch? If so you don't need the armored hose.
"mm" wrote
I got a new washing machine a few weeks ago and the installer asked me if I wanted to replace my metal hoses with the rubber ones that came with the machine. Thanks for asking but ... no?
It's just not gonna happen.
nancy
Hi, Our washing machine is located in the basement right next to floor drain. But isn't there some safty device which will cut off water when hose bursts? What is it called? In years we never turn off water when washer is not used or we're away for length of time. Now I am thinking about my daughter's place where there is a washer. She lives on top floor of a high rise condo.
Ugh...
Me, too.
I installed on of these and it works beautifully:
If I were going to make any additional changes to my water system here, I'd try to find some electric valves, normally off, that run on
110 and I'd piggy-back them on the valves that are in the machine. So when the machine turned the hot on, it would also turn the hot on at the faucet. That way, assuming they make good valves, there would automatically be no pressure on the hoses except when the water was wanted.I guess he things new might be better. You're lucky he asked. I can imagine someone just assuming that new is better, putting in the rubbern and taking the steel with him, not because he's a thief, but because he was taught to clean up when done.
Even that is probably not enough. The hose can spray up or sideways when it bursts. IIRC, in my case it didn't, but when my little hose to my humidifier burst, it sprayed sideways over lots of things.
"Dave Bugg" wrote
Seems to me high rise condos might think of requiring this type of thing. Not a bad idea.
nancy
Mom's burst while she was washing and while she was still by the machine.Her location is the same. That sucker sprayed everywhere until she could figure out where to shut the water off. Luckily it only took her a minute to shut the water off. Had it burst, it would have been a mess.
There's that part where you have to plunge into the spray to turn it off, even though one's reflex is to go the other direction.
Looks very good and easy to install.
It is, except I don't want to spend 177 dollars. If I could find the valves, my method would be more direct and wouldn't require extra parts to sense current to the washing machine. I would think simple
110VAC valves are only 20 or 30 apiece.HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.