Tangled Mind

Can I get back to you later? This sounds like splendidly simple solution, but am still feeling very empowered by

red_cloud's advice, so am off to buy tape etc. Will let you know if I ~~drown~~ need more help ... offer is extremely appreciated!

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temporary fix administered, and new connector on offer -- but it would be good to see you soon (though not this week!) will be in touch ...

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Question: where exactly is it dripping?

If it's dripping actually at the joint between the pipe from the washing machine and the next piece of piping, you may just need to tighten the large blue nut somewhat. You may want to do this gently with a wrench (and I mean gently, maybe an extra quarter turn but not much; but it can help get a better seal). I've had trouble like this in the past.

If the drip is coming from further on the right, between the silver collar and the actual pipe from the washing machine, you need a washing-machine repair person rather than a plumber as it will probably mean the joint has gone there, and you need a replacement pipe.

I am inclined, though, to think that the joint between the pipe and the next piece of plumbing has worked loose.

Good luck.

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and they said LJ was a waste of time ... thanks for this! Tightening the blue nut not obviously effective, but I don't have a very strong grip these days and it's an awkward angle. I thin it is the joint, though. And on a day like today I don't mind getting soaked!

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The other thing to do, taking care to switch off the water supply first ... that would be the tap thing on the set-up ... is to disconnect and then reconnect everything, just to make sure. You might want to put some Vaseline on the seals too, to make sure they are good and waterproof. I earnestly counsel you to get some sort of wrench if you've not got one; it's really helpful in such instances.

M. (who actually plumbed in her current washing machine herself, figuring that she could probably mess up connecting a pipe to another pipe just as well as Comet would, and for much less cost!)

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1) You need some PTFE plumber's tape, available from all good DIY stockists if you don't have any to hand (like Sellotape, but it's very thin, white, and non-sticky).

2) See the "switch" to the left on the picure? Think of it as a tap. It is currently ON. Turn it a QUARTER-TURN anti-clockwise (probably - it might be clockwise, but if it don't go one way, try the other, but don't force it - these things are fragile). This will turn the water OFF.

3) Unscrew the big "nut" anti-clockwise. It should only be finger tight. Don't be tempted to use pliers - just be persistent. As you unscrew it, you will get some leakage from the pipe - don't worry about this. If the water is absolutely gushing out, though, it means that you haven't turned off the water properly in Step 1 (or it means that your valve is broken - but let's assume it isn't).

4) You will find a small rubber washer inside the flexible pipe end. Check that this is in good condition. If not, you will have to acquire another one.

5) Wrap some PTFE tape around the exposed threads on the mains side. About two layers should be sufficient - any more and you may not be able to screw the pipe back on properly. The tape will ensure that the threads form a waterproof seal when tightened.

6) Re-attach the pipe, tightening only hand-tight - don't be tempted to use a tool or you may crack the plastic.

7) Do the opposite of whatever you did at Step 1 to turn the water back on.

8) Check for leaks.

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You could, of course, try what

brisingamen suggested and just tighten the connector. But try to avoid using tools - they exert too much force for the plastic.

If the flexible pipe is leaking from elsewhere, don't bother with a plumber - simply replace the pipe. They are all a standard size and available from any good DIY store.

If the mains (solid) pipe is leaking from a join other than the connector, you will need a plumber.

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Good luck!

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Many thanks for this -- I feel quite empowered now! Haven't any tape here, but I think I've established that it is the connector and not anything else that is leaking! Off to buy tape now, with option of calling on further LJ help ... thanks again!

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Probably too late to point out that if the leak is from the BACK of the connector, it's probably the rubber washer that needs replacing, and if it's from the FRONT (i.e. to the left on the picture) then PTFE tape is probably all you need.

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I know I'm not really supposed to use tools but I've also found that for the cost of getting in beefy plumber with strong grip to do bugger all, a very careful application of wrench (something like a sixteenth of a turn was what it took) can solve that annoying dripping problem the plumber swore blind couldn't be solved, honest ... however, I like your techy explanations too ... something else plumber didn't explain! I may feel obliged to go and replumb my washing machine, just to make sure!

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After having to re-plumb most of the kitchen and bathroom myself (and all the electrics, and most of the joinery, and some of the plastering) due to useless fucking builder completely screwing things up, I now know what I only suspected before - it's all a huge con, and most people can do most jobs around the house with a decent set of tools, a few materials, a good DIY book and a free afternoon or two.

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I can do a fair amount, though as neither PK nor I can as yet cut wood straight, we tend to default to the world's most wonderful carpenter, but we're fortuante we can. We're currently working on plastering, wallpapering and painting. I'm a decorator's daughter, I ought to be able to do this!

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pugwash.livejournal.com

Wot they all said. However, you'll probably be able to get a new washer which seals the coupling on the blue flexy pipe to the tap. Turn off the water at the blue handled tap (handle at 90deg to the pipe), unscrew the blue collar and see if you can pull it back along the pipe away from the end fitting. You should now be able to remove the old and fit the new rubber washer onto the end fitting of the flexi pipe. Slide the plastic collar back and do it up again, then turn the water on.

The alternative is just to get a whole new blue pipe and fit it to the tap at this end and the washing machine at the other, buit I bet it's a bugger to get to the back of the machine.

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latexiron.livejournal.com

Step one - turn the blue tap off and see if it stops leaking! That tells you WHERE it is leaking from!

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