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Why does tap leak when connecting washing machine?

I just moved house and am having trouble connecting my Bosch washing machine to the tap. It needs to be connected to the cold water tap and it worked perfectly at two previous houses. Now when I connect it to this tap and turn on the cold water it just starts pouring out straight away. What am I doing wrong?

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MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @CorinnaH. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for the question about your leaky tap.

There are a few places where the leak could be coming from and why it's occurring. Make sure to turn off your water at the mains before attempting any repairs. The most likely cause is that the washer at location two in your hose needs replacing, so I'd try that first. This Kinetic Stainless Steel Filter Washers should suit. Alternatively, pry the washer out with a small flathead screwdriver and take it into your closest store so a team member can match it up.

If the leak appears to be coming from inside the tap handle at location three and running down the tap, then there is a fibre body washer in this area that could need replacing. There's also a little 'O'ring inside the spindle mechanism which could leak, but I wouldn't describe it as capable of pouring out. You'd need to undo the spindle from the tap body to get to the 'O'ring.

If it's leaking from location one, you'd need to remove the tap body from the wall and re-apply the thread tape.

Let me know how you go and if you can narrow down the leak's location. Please feel free to ask any questions.

Mitchell

CorinnaH

Hi Mitchell, thank you! I shall run some tests tonight to see where exactly the leak is coming from. Thanks! Corinna

CorinnaH

Hi Mitchell, the leak appears to be coming from location 2 AND 3. I can see how I can replace the washer at location 2, but how do I get inside the actual tap to replace the part at location 3? Thanks, Corinna

Noyade

Hi Corinna.

At nearly 2000 hrs AEST - probably not a good time to play with it.

But, tomorrow....

LOCATION 3

Turn off the water supply.

Open the tap - anticlockwise.

Look at the front the tap.

Either a hex nut or a plastic insert with "Cold" on display.

Remove.

Screw visible?

Remove.

The tap head should now come off.

Shifter wrench available? Spanners?

Remove the tap body.

You should see the washer insert - how does it look? Replace.

Reverse the procedure.

Tighten the tap.

Turn the water supply back on.

Incidentally, do you own a pair of multi-grips?

EricL

Hi @CorinnaH

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @MitchellMc and @Noyade. I've placed some images below to give you an idea of how to remove the handle and which parts you will need to replace to get your washing machine tap going again. If you are in a rental property make sure to keep your dockets so that you can ask for a refund for your expenses. I suggest using FIX-A-TAP Nylon Tap Valve Repair Kit. It contains the rubber o-ring and the felt o-ring. It also has a packet of plumbers grease and a replacement jumper valve.

My number one tip for this repair job is to apply the plumber's grease at the very end when all rubber o-rings have been replaced.

Turn off the mains water to the house.
The cover cap of the washing machine tap handle can be poped off with the sharp end of a knife.
Depending on the screw fixing inside, you can use either a flat head screwdriver or a tiny shifter.
Once the handle is removed, you need to use your shifter to remove the spindle body of the tap.
Replace the rubber o-rings first.
Replace the felt o-rings next.
Apply the plumber's grease last.
Re-assemble the washing machine tap.
Make sure the tap is in the off position before turning the mains water back on.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

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