Archive for the ‘Washer Parts’ Category
Washer Hoses Guide – Buying And Maintenance Tips
Washer hoses are often neglected. Even in my case, I used to disregard the basic maintenance procedures for my washer hose. But I learned my lesson now. Apparently, so have other people.
There are many people who came home to a flooded basement because they do not have a habit of turning their faucet off and regularly checking the condition of their washer hoses. This washer part does not last forever. Eventually the rubber seal that connects it to the mouth of the faucet will deteriorate. This will then loosen up the hold of the hose to the faucet so water can leak out.
How To Buy Washer Hoses
1. When buying a new washer, talk to the sales representative about how you can acquire spare parts. Some appliance centers actually sell spare parts for the appliances that they sell. You can immediately buy the spare hose there or ask them which stores carry the hoses of the brand and model of washer they are buying.
2. Scout online stores. Nextag, Amazon and BestBuy are some of the online shops where you can buy a spare water hose. When you are buying, make sure you identify the type of hose your washer needs. There are different hoses available at your disposal.
3. Find the right type of hose first. Basically, there are two types of hoses intended for the use of washers. The first one is the reinforced rubber. This is the traditional type of hose. You can probably find hooked up to old washers. The reinforced rubber hoses these days have been integrated with braided rayon. When looking for this type of hose, be on the lookout for that with “reinforced” labels so you are getting a durable kind of hose.
The second and the newer type of hose is the stainless steel braided hose. This is also called burst-resistant or burst-proof hose. It is made up of flexible plastic hose with twisted stainless steel wire mesh twisted around it. This is the type of hose to look for if you are looking for longevity. It can prevent cutting and twisting – something that is a common problem to rubber hoses.
4. Not all hoses you can buy from the retailer are brand new. Some of them have been sitting and collecting dust in the warehouse. Production has long been finished before they are distributed to the retailers. While they are sitting in the warehouse, deterioration is already beginning. Make sure your hose comes with a reasonable warranty.
Washer Hoses Maintenance Guide
Your washer hoses will last longer if you know how to take good care of them. Here are some tips that might prove to be beneficial:
1. Install the hoses correctly.
What most people do not know is that improper installation can lead to hose damage. If you over tighten it, the water pressure might cause damages to the internal seal. Do not use a wrench to install the hose. Just use your hands so you can determine the right level of tightness.
Make sure you also remove kinks and bends. Keep the hose as loopless as possible to avoid wear and tear. Do not push the washing machine close to the wall. Make sure you leave at least 3 inches of space in between the washer and the wall to prevent the hose from rubbing on the walls.
If you are installing your washer on a cabinet, make sure you use the appropriate type of washer hoses. Purchase right-angle connectors so you can install the hoses without a hitch.
To install washer hoses, make sure the water supply is turned off and the washer is unplugged. Gently pull the washer forward, away from the wall. You need ample space to correctly install the hoses. You might also have to disconnect the drain hose so you can install the water hoses correctly. Install the water hoses to the right outlet. Make sure you are installing the right hose to the cold and hot water valve.
2. Periodic inspection is vital.
It has long been recommended that washers undergo regular check up or inspection. This is the key in being one step ahead of damages. Remove kinks if there are any. Also be on your guard for the gradual decrease in water pressure. If there is a decrease in water pressure, the washer hose might be the cause.
If you install a water filter in the hose, make sure you clean the filter regularly. Get rid of debris first. This will help ease up the water pressure inside the machine. If there are bulging in some areas of the hose, find a replacement hose pronto.
3. Turn off the faucet when you are not using the machine.
Also do this whenever you are going on a long vacation. You might also want to remove the hose. Get a clean towel to catch excess water. This will help ease up the water pressure.