How to stop washing machine drainpipe leak?

[wutube]

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on a plumbing issue in the laundry. I’ve recently had a new washing machine installed (LG10 KG Topload) and noticed a leak coming from the drain pipe. I’ve already fitted a plumbing clamp to try and fix it, but it still leaks slightly when the machine drains water.

Does anyone have tips on how to make sure the leak is fully sealed? Should I be using sealant, tape, or replacing a part? Any suggestions or product recommendations would be really appreciated!

[JacobZ]

Hi @peterwu93,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It may just be the angle of the photo, but it seems like the corrugated part of the hose is extending down past the rubber tip.

If this is the case, then you should reorient the rubber tip so that none of the corrugated hose is poking through. If needs be, you can remove the rubber tip, cut the hose square with some scissors, then rotate the tip back on so that only the rubber tip is sitting over the spigot on your U-bend.

You can then retighten the hose clamp to create a good seal. You should be able to get it relatively tight with a screwdriver, but if needs be, you can use an adjustable wrench to tighten it up even further.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[wutube]

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for the help! I’ve just attached two more photos. Just to make sure I understand — are you saying I should reposition the hose so it’s not pushed in as deep into the rubber fitting?

Cheers,
Peter

[JacobZ]

Hi Peter,

Yes, that is correct. No part of the corrugated hose should be touching the spigot. Only the rubber tip should be touching the spigot.

The soft rubber tip will compress to form a seal against the spigot, whereas the harder corrugated plastic will not compress, creating a seal; it will fold and deform, which doesn't create a seal.

Take the clamp off, cut the hose with some scissors so it is square, then slide the rubber tip down so it protrudes past the end of the corrugated hose. You can then reattach the hose with the rubber tip being the only part over the spigot, and then tighten the clamp around the rubber tip to compress it and create a seal.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob

[wutube]

Hi Jacob,

Thanks for helping explain! Just to make sure i'm not cutting off the wrong bit, are you suggesting I cut the orange arrow section shorter or the green arrow?

[JacobZ]

Hi again @wutube, 

It doesn't really matter where you cut; you are just squaring up the hose before slipping the rubber down. In saying this, cutting it at the orange line will remove the least material, so I would cut it there.

Start by disconnecting the hose and removing the rubber tip. Square up the hose, then reattach the rubber tip and clamp it to the spigot.

If you can remove the rubber tip and take a photo of the hose, I can show you exactly where I would cut it.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob

[wutube]

Hi Jacob,

Sorry for the delayed response, please see image below:

Thanks!

[JacobZ]

Hi @wutube,

You should be able to remove this rubber tip from the hose.

Once it is off, use your scissors to cut the jagged end of the corrugated hose, then slip the rubber tip back on so that the corrugated part of the hose doesn't protrude through it.

If the corrugated part of the hose ended in line with where the arrow is in the above photo, only the rubber tip would touch the barb, and it could be clamped in place.

The corrugations sitting over the barb are what is causing the leak.

Let me know if you follow or if you require further assistance.

Jacob

[wutube]

Hi Jacob,

I had a closer look, and the part that’s protruding is actually part of the rubber itself—not the corrugated plastic. I tried pulling the rubber off, but it doesn’t budge. It looks like it’s either a single molded piece or has been glued on permanently.

Let me know if you think trimming it is still necessary, or if there’s another way to get a better seal.

Cheers,
Peter

[EricL]

Hello @wutube 

I propose trimming just a little bit of the front of the hose as seen in the image I posted below. The red section should be trimmed off leaving the hose nice and flat. I then suggest inserting the hose as deep as possible onto the drain pipe before clamping it. Do a test run and see if it still leaks. If it does, I propose wrapping the drain pipe with FIX-A-TAP 12mm x 8m Blue PTFE Thread Seal Tape. I suggest a minimum roll of 4 rounds and a maximum of seven. Push the hose back onto the drain pipe and clamp shut then test.

If a leak still appears, its possible that the hose has a small crack in it that is allowing water to flow out. But please test first before you replace the hose.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric