These basics are important for connecting the washing machine
If you want to use your washing machine conveniently in your home and there is no direct washing machine connection, you can of course use the washbasin as an alternative. However, make sure that your bathroom furniture allows such a connection. Many base cabinets in the bathroom furniture range do not offer enough space or at least make installation much more difficult. The height of the washbasin also plays a role, of course. Please also see our article on the height of the washbasin if you are redesigning the whole bathroom at the same time.
Basically, connecting a washing machine only requires three simple things:
- A water supply
- A drain for the waste water
- A 230 V power connection
These three things are usually easy to find in the bathroom, so it makes a lot of sense to connect the washing machine directly at the washbasin. However, you will usually need a little more equipment than for a dedicated washing machine connection, as most washing machines only come with the accessories for that type of connection. An inlet hose, a drain hose and a suitable hose clamp are usually supplied, but for the actual installation at the washbasin you will above all need a suitable angle valve. Without this and the right pipes, you cannot make the connection.
These parts you need to connect the washing machine at the washbasin
In principle, installing a washing machine is not particularly difficult and can be done without experience or specialist knowledge. You need neither special tools nor much know-how. First of all, however, you should check the trap under your washbasin. As a rule, this trap will not be suitable for connecting a washing machine. The existing angle valve is usually a simple one and cannot be used either. To connect the washing machine at the washbasin, you will therefore need at least
- A dip tube trap with a 3/4 inch side connection
- A double-spindle angle valve
- Hemp or sealing tape to additionally seal the pipe threads
Pay attention to quality here and, in the case of the trap, for example, to a good odour seal.
Installing the washing machine step by step
- Start by removing the old trap. Place a bucket underneath to catch the standing water in the trap.
- Now fit the new trap. Wrap hemp or sealing tape around the external threads to improve the seal.
- Now turn off the main stopcock. If it is in your flat, this is no problem. If there is only one main stopcock for the whole building, you should inform the other tenants in advance.
- Now replace the old angle valve with the new double-spindle angle valve. Here too, make sure the threads are sealed and the valve sits firmly.
- Now connect the inlet and drain hoses of the washing machine and secure them with the hose clamp. With an Aquastop system, the inlet hose can be recognised by a small plastic box. The drain hose is usually corrugated.
- Check once again that all hoses and clamps are secure
- Turn the main stopcock back on.
- Level the washing machine with a spirit level.
- Connect the washing machine to the power supply.
- Test the washing machine.
If there are no problems, you have successfully connected the washing machine in your bathroom. In many bathrooms there is enough space next to the vanity unit to install a washing machine.
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