Replacing an old washing machine

ATIorNvidia · 3 Jun 2015 at 16:50

My washing machine packed up a few days ago after 20 or so years so i need a new one. Only problem is I have tried to disconnect the old one but the plastic handles on the valves (I have a hot and cold one) won't turn. There's a scew in each of them that I'm not sure if you're supposed to remove?

Pics:

http://i.imgur.com/Z8xLw0t.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Hsz1Ao2.jpg

andicole0 · 3 Jun 2015 at 16:58

The screws only hold the handle in place. You need something to act as a lever on the handles, pliers or similar.

Andi.

Grimley · 3 Jun 2015 at 18:47

Speaking from experience, I'd be careful with those if you plan on turning off the water using those valves & a pair of pliers. Chances are the valves will have furred up or seized up, the plastic will have weakened over the years & may be brittle. Pair of pliers on them & they may break. I'd check to see if you have shut-off taps further down the pipes.

arknor · 3 Jun 2015 at 20:03

be careful the handle doesn't snap off

Broady21.pb · 3 Jun 2015 at 20:05

If you takeout the screw's you will be able to remove the plastic handle and you should be able to see a small square nut with the whole where the screw went in. You should then be able to get a small adjustable spanner on it and be able to turn the valve off, but don't use too much pressure when doing it if the valves are that old.

ATIorNvidia · 3 Jun 2015 at 21:19

It's not budging, and don't want to put an extreme amount of force on it incase it breaks. How much cost/time do these things take to replace? Do i need a plumber?

Danthus · 3 Jun 2015 at 21:39

It is no big deal if the plastic handles fall off.

Just get a pair of pliers and turn the valve.

Broady21.pb · 5 Jun 2015 at 13:25

To change them is no big deal, and they don't cost that much to buy. You will just need to turn off your mains or header tank water tap if you have one and shut the main hot-water valve also. You will still get abit of leakage, but that should be whats just in the pipework. If in doubt then it will cost, as plumbers aint cheap and may charge a call-out fee, but you should have piece of mind if you do.

FinglisHobbit · 5 Jun 2015 at 13:50

The screws just keep the plastic handles on. When they are removed you will be able to get a good grip of the valve with a spanner.

They do seize up over time but Id be confident you can turn em with a spanner.

As for replacing. Well its absolutely simple. Turn off water, remove and replace.

lude1962 · 6 Jun 2015 at 12:27

As most new washing machines only need a cold feed you can hacksaw off the valve from the hw pipe and cap it with a compresion fitting.
You may also want to replace the cw valve with a new one and fit a non return valve whilst you're at it

Orionaut · 6 Jun 2015 at 13:38

lude1962 said:
As most new washing machines only need a cold feed you can hacksaw off the valve from the hw pipe and cap it with a compresion fitting.
You may also want to replace the cw valve with a new one and fit a non return valve whilst you're at it

It is always a good idea to "Exercise" valves and stop cocks every 6 months or so (particularly the rising main one!)

You do not want to find they are sized when you have a leaking pipe to deal with.

(It is also a good move to get the tool to turn off the water company valve in the road too!)