Hi everyone,
I’ve just moved into a new rental and I’m having trouble connecting my washing machine to the laundry taps.
The issue is that the washing machine hose (standard 3/4”) will not screw fully onto the tap outlet. Because it can’t fully engage the thread, it leaks as soon as the water is turned on.
What I’ve tried so far:
- Confirmed the hose is standard 3/4” washing machine hose
- Tried a brass male–female adaptor/extension (20mm / 3⁄4”)
- Used PTFE (Teflon) tape
- Tried tightening by hand only (not overtightening)
Even with the adaptor, the fitting still won’t screw on far enough to seal properly.
What I’m noticing:
- The tap handle/body seems to sit very close to the outlet, so the hose nut or adaptor hits the tap body before it can fully thread on
- This happens on both hot and cold taps
- The taps are older-style with plastic knob handles, not lever taps
- For comparison, my previous apartment had similar wall taps but with metal cross handles, and the washing machine connected without any issue
My questions:
- Is this a known issue with certain laundry tap designs?
- Is there a specific adapter, offset fitting, or longer extension that could solve this?
- Would changing just the tap handle help, or does the entire tap need replacing?
- Is this something a tenant can reasonably fix, or does it need a plumber/landlord involvement?
I’ve attached photos to show the taps, the adaptor, and how the hose stops short.
Thanks in advance — I’d really appreciate any advice before escalating to the landlord or calling a plumber.
