Article by Dean Henson
The hoses are usually supplied in a 1.5 metre length. Disconnect the water supply and drain down then connect the pipework where required – make sure you have a bucket and cloths to hand because there may well be some water left in the pipes. If the existing pipe work has compression fittings then just disconnect these and add the extra pipe using new compression fittings such as a tee fitting. This can often be done without the need for cutting pipes. If your existing joints are solder joints then you will need to cut the pipe to insert your required fitting. Make sure that if you are using solder joints again then the water level is well below the level of the joint you are soldering so a good solder seal is made and that the taps are left open so no steam builds up – or you can simply use a compression or push fit fitting. If your pipe work has push fit couplings then these can be easily be taken apart and the pipework usually re-used to make up the new pipe work – just changing your coupling to a Tee. Make sure the new pipe work is secured to the wall with pipe clips – making sure your new valves are securely held in place.<u>Waste Water Drainage Using Your Sink Waste Trap </u>If your washing machine or dishwasher is positioned close to your sink then you might be able to use your existing sink waste trap to plumb into – you may well be able to plumb the waste water hose straight into the side or top of the trap ( depending on what type of sink trap you have ) or you may be able to change your existing trap to one that would accommodate the hose as shown in the picture below. If you have to change the existing trap then make sure that you do not use a trap where the spigot for the waste water is in the bend as this can case the machine water to be siphoned out of the machine – But do make sure that the top of the waste hose is higher than the waste water trap – a screw in the wall at an appropriate place can sort this out.<u>Using a Dedicated Waste Water Outlet.</u>If your machine is too far from an existing trap then you will have to make a dedicated outlet. This is a vertical pipe with the water trap at the bottom of the pipe – you will then need to connect this to your existing foul water system – this is the same as your sink, bath and toilet water drainage. Compression fittings are composed of three components that include: compression nut, ring, and the seat. There are many reasons why compression fittings are very popular with plumbers and homeowners doing their own repair job. Below is a list of the benefits to using compressions in plumbing repairs:1. Compression fittings are easy to install and can be used on a variety of different types of fittings. They are easy and quick to fit and are reliable and durable. There are only several components that have to be put together. All that you have to do is slip the nut onto the pipe and then attach the compression ring. Then, make the nut tight after you have slid the pipe into the fitting. The seal then becomes watertight.