If you’re moving house and want to take your appliance with you, or you want to upgrade your machine and get rid of your old one, you’ll need to know how to disconnect your existing washing machine safely.
If you experience any problems you should get in touch with a qualified plumber trained in disconnecting a washing machine with ease. On the other hand, you can follow this step by step guide on how to disconnect a washing machine yourself…
Prior Preparations
How to unplug a washing machine is quite simple as all you need to do is remove the plug from the power socket. You need to unplug the washing machine from the mains before you attempt any kind of work as this will ensure you don’t receive any potential electric shocks.
The washing machine may have its own stop cock located at the back – consisting of two valves which can be turned clockwise to shut them off – or a lever leading to a single pipe that will need to be pulled down. To move the washing machine hold both corners and twist it towards you away from the wall then you should have enough room to be able to get to the pipes.
Bear in mind that the washing machine is very heavy and it’s easy to injure yourself – it’s a good idea to get help with the initial re-positioning.
If there aren’t any taps or valves on the hot and cold water supply, you’ll need to turn the water off at the mains. The water flow tap will be located under the kitchen sink and will be connected by a long hose to the washing machine. This needs to be turned off.
Tools Required
You don’t need any special tools for disconnecting a washing machine in the UK, just a few essentials as listed below:
- Bucket for collecting excess water
- Cloth and old towels for mopping up
- Gloves
- Hand truck
- Plastic blanking plugs to prevent leakage
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
Disconnecting Steps
There’s not a lot of difference in disconnecting a washing machine that’s integrated or freestanding. The integrated appliance may be harder to move as it’s designed to fit into a particular space.
Disconnect the washing machine by pulling it away from the surrounds, and removing the worktop if it has been installed underneath. After you’ve disconnected the water supply you need to disconnect the waste pipe as well. As this is often attached to the kitchen sink, you’ll require a container to catch any excess water that has to be drained away. You can then use the plastic blanking plug or disc inside the waste pipe to stop any further leaks.
You may need the wrench to remove the end of the water hose from the wall – tilting the hose will ensure you can catch any water in the bucket. Removing the drain hose will complete the disconnection and the appliance can be taken away.
If your washing machine is positioned on a hard floor, you’ll have to take care that you don’t mark it as you move. Using a hand truck or dolly is the best way to move the appliance without scratching the floor. And that’s the easy way of how to disconnect a washing machine in the UK!
Get Safe Appliance Repairs
Arranging a washing machine repair in London is simple – contact a trusted appliance repair company who provide highly trained technicians using advanced tools and equipment to get the job done. Ask for a quote on the work you need doing, and book a short-notice appointment if you need to. You’ll get a fully insured service with a six-month quality guarantee.
