Dripping Washing Machine Inlet Connection

[ryanlee]

Hi everyone, got a question...

Got a leaking (well, very slowly dripping) connection between a short length of 15mm copper and a washing machine hose inlet pipe. The leaking connection is a 15mm compression fitting with blue isolation switch. It joins on the copper side with a normal nut and a plastic washing machine inlet tube connector on the plastic pipe side. The plastic connector is screwed onto the thread of the compression fitting.

From looking at websites offering these items it seems they would be bought separately. Are they even meant to be linked up like this?

The sites all show the washing machine connector as having a 3/4inch thread. Is this the same size as the thread on a compression fitting for 15mm copper pipe? If so, then I suppose the problem will just be the fitting or washer itself.

Sorry for what is probably a stupid question but I can't work it out by staring at it and scratching my head. Have tired that for a good half an hour.

Thanks for your help in advance...

Oh, forgot to mention, although you could probably guess it from my talk of washers but the leak is dripping from the plastic side..

 

[Mike Jackson]

Firstly the right angle bend on the hose is normally on the washing machine end.

The leak could be washer, faulty hose or simply not tightened enough. They are supposed to seal hand tight but I've often found you need to nip them up with a pair of water pump pliers. You can pick up a new hose from B&Q etc. if needed.

Mike

 

[justlead1]

Hi it may be the shoulder of the plastic nut is fouling the valve when tightened,disallowing the joint to pinch up on washer.

 

[Bernie2]

Turn off, bung a new washer from B and Q in, turn on again. Usually its that simple. You can if you like use more than one washer. Just ask for washing machine hose washers. Should be about £1 for a few of them.

Oh! yes and don't forget the tap only turns a quarter to the off position, so don't force it.

Some I've had only turned a quarter one way.

Sometimes it helps to put a bit of silicon grease on the threads, but watch you don't get it on the washers, if you do they can slide about all over the place as you tighten it up. Some reckon Petroleum jelly is just as good, the stuff Mum puts on the babies bum to stop nappy rash or Dad puts on the car battery terminals to stop them furring.

 

[GreenArmy]

For the price of a new hose (3 or 4 quid) your better off renewing the hose, and this time fitting it the correct way as Mike states. In my experiance by the time you've messed around with the washer you could of changed the hose and this way if it wasn't the washer in the first place causing the drip then you dont then have to go out again and buy a hose. (crikey that was a long sentence). By the way its not the valve causing your leak but sometimes a few wraps of PTFE around the thread (of valve) before screwing on hose can help.

 

[Avatar]

God please do not wrap ptfe on the threads!

Only if you want it to leak - the seal is made by the washer, which will not compress if you restrict the threads with ptfe.

People want to cover everything with bloody ptfe - it does acually cause problems if used incorrectly, particually on compression type fittings.

Rad tails, lcs pipe threads and the like rely on it as a jointing method. Elsewhere use with discrimination . . . .

 

[ryanlee]

Thanks very much everyone for your suggestions, the drip be vanquished!

 

[stevetheplumber]

God please do not wrap ptfe on the threads!

Only if you want it to leak - the seal is made by the washer, which will not compress if you restrict the threads with ptfe.

People want to cover everything with bloody ptfe - it does acually cause problems if used incorrectly, particually on compression type fittings.

Rad tails, lcs pipe threads and the like rely on it as a jointing method. Elsewhere use with discrimination . . . .

glad to see im not alone in my hatred of ptfe on every thread seeing it on comp fittings makes my blood boil

 

[GreenArmy]

Went to a job this evening (im on call this week) to look at a leak from a flat going through the ceiling into the flat below. Anyway it was only a flexy supply (by the way i hate these) to the cold tap, and i renewed the washer and re-tightened. Job done. Then the tenant mentions that she gets a small leak from her washing machine hose and would i take a look. I turned off the valve and unscewed the hose, ah no washer, thats why it leaks. With no washing machine hoses or w/m hose washers on the van i wrapped around some PTFE around the thread of valve slightly overhanging the end of the threads, added a fibre washer to the hose, re-attached the hose turned on the valve and guess what no leak. Took me all of 30 seconds. Had a cup of tea and a chat for ten minutes and still fine. Told her to keep an eye on it for a few days and if it should leak she will need to get a new w/m hose washer or hose (washing machines/hoses are tenants responsability) im not a betting man but i would think she wont have any more problems with it.
So Avatar to say by adding some PTFE will cause it to leak is a daft statement and Steve who mentioned PTFE tape on compression fittings?
I posted the reply to the original poster based on experience and i stand by it.
By the way ryanlee, did you replace the washer or the complete hose?

 

[Avatar]

If you use ptfe as a repair, you better know how to use it. I suppose it is possible to do what you say - I have used ptfe to beef up leaky olives, and once, very carefully as a tempory replacement for a washer.

I wouldnt wrap it round the threads of such a fitting however . . .

I use compression fitting all day long, and never use ptfe with them unless i repair an old leaky one.