How to prevent leaks from washing machine drain hose connection?

[inno]

I have a new washing machine installed, and there is a slight leakage from the drain hose connection. It has been secured using a hose clamp, and I have also tried tightening the clamp. However, I am still getting a slight leakage?

Does anyone have any advice for this? How tight does the clamp need to be? Do I need to push the hose further in? Do I need to put some plumber’s tape on the spigot before attaching the hose?

 

[PlumbMaster-Zee · Accepted solution]

Hi there Inno,

Here are a few steps you can take to address the issue:

1. Ensure Proper Insertion: Make sure the drain hose is pushed all the way onto the spigot. Sometimes a slight gap can cause leakage.
2. Tighten the Hose Clamp: The hose clamp should be snug but not overly tight. Over-tightening can damage the hose or the connection. Adjust it to ensure it’s secure but not damaging the hose.

3. Use Plumber's Tape: Wrapping the spigot with plumber’s tape (Teflon tape) can help create a better seal. Wrap the tape around the spigot a few times before attaching the hose and securing it with the clamp.

4. Check for Hose Damage: Inspect the hose for any cracks or damage. Even a small crack can cause leakage. If you find any, replacing the hose might be necessary.

5. Use Plumber's Putty: Applying plumber's putty can help create a watertight seal. One recommended product is the "RectorSeal Plumber's Putty." Apply a small amount of putty around the joint where the hose connects to the spigot to ensure a tight seal.

6. Recheck the Connection: After making these adjustments, test the connection by running a cycle and observing if the leak persists.

I hope this helps! If the problem continues, you might want to consult a professional to ensure there isn't a deeper issue.

Also out of interest, how old is the hose? In some cases just replacing the hose can be the most cost effective solution.

Best Regards,
Zee

[EricL]

Hello @inno 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your washing machine hose.

It's great that you've received detailed advice from @PlumbMaster-Zee. I totally agree with their recommendations and just to help out, here is the link for the Bostik Sealant 250g Plumbers Putty and the BOSTON 2m Washing Machine Outlet Drain Hose.

One quick way to spot a leak on the edge of your hose is to use a little bit of red food dye. I propose getting a cotton bud and dip the edge in the food dye and rub it around the end of the hose. The food dye will immediately travel around the hose revealing any minor cracks or splits.

If there is a leak, it's best to change your drain hose to a new one. But if it is just loose, using plumber's putty will definitely help stop the leak.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[inno]

Thanks for the product recommendations!

[tigerzen]

I actually had the same situation and went to my local Bunnings which is one of the larger ones and was told that they did not carry the Bostik plumber's putty and that they hadn't carried it for at least 10 years. Wondering if there is an alternative? 

I checked the hose for cracks and couldn't see any. I did buy the washer set referenced in another post but the hose still leaked. In the end I just replaced the hose and the leak stopped.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @tigerzen,

There's typically no reason to use tape, putty, or washers for this connection. If it's not sealing with a hose clamp, then you might want to replace the hose as the rubber connection could have become stiff or brittle, allowing water to bypass it. 

If the connection is leaking, it's an indication that something is amiss. Could you share some images of the connection with us to provide some context as to what the issue might be?

Mitchell

[tigerzen]

Hi Mitch,

Nice to hear from you. My hose didn't have a hose clamp, it was the one with the plastic ribbed connection. I had read on one of the other posts that some plumber's putty or changing the washer inside might help hence my post. It's fixed but the washer didn't help, nor did incremental tightening and checking.

[MitchellMc]

Could you show us a picture of it, @tigerzen? Typically, to get a seal on a trap spigot barb, you need a rubber end fitting on the ribbed hose. The ribbed hose itself won't seal particularly well or at all on a barbed spigot, due to the ribs. Any hose definitely needs a hose clamp to achieve a secure seal.

It sounds like you should swap the hose on the machine out for one like the Kinetic 2m Grey PVC Washing Machine And Dishwasher Outlet Drain Hose with the required rubber fitting.

Mitchell

[tigerzen]

Here is a picture of the hose before I swapped it over, someone had tried teflon which wasn't working. It seems fine now that I have put a new hose on.

[MitchellMc]

Oh, OK @tigerzen.

This discussion is about the outlet waste pipe, whereas yours is the inlet pipe. That changes things. I also missed the sentence "In the end I just replaced the hose and the leak stopped," and now realise you were offering some helpful advice and weren't after assistance. 

It's great to hear you resolved the leak, and sometimes replacing the hose is the best course of action.

Many thanks for sharing!

Mitchell