Comments on: Low water pressure and washing machines

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:03:14 +0000

Thanks Kevin: It’s very easily done something like that. When diagnosing a fault it’s common to assume the cause is more complex than it really is. Many people trying to sort out a dead appliance for example fail to check the wall socket, which should be the very first thing to check.

Your example was similar, although if your previous washing machine worked OK it’s not surprising you didn’t suspect the water pressure. That’s why I wrote the article because no one would suspect the water pressure if it hadn’t changed and their previous washing machine worked OK.

By: Kevin Fiske

Kevin Fiske — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:18:53 +0000

Very useful - in fact the article confirmed the resolution of the ‘problem’ we had with an AEG we bought second hand recently. It was in mint condition and had had one year of light use, but it kept hanging at the rinse fill stage showing a C1 fault. We were running it, as we had our previous machine, a WhirlpooI, from the cold tank in the loft. I’d checked the inlet filter was clear, removed the mains pressure restrictor, replaced the 3-way inlet valve, the analogic sensor and the 2-level water sensor, all to no avail. In desperation I got an chappie from Swift Appliance Services to call who confirmed that I’d done everything - except check the water pressure. It was only then - having spent £100 on parts and a visit - that I found the article above. I rigged up a temporary mains feed and…bingo! …no C1 fault and no hanging.

Hindsight is such a gift, no?

KevinF.

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:44:01 +0000

Excellent Lindsey: Thanks for the feedback.

By: lindsey

lindsey — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:21:50 +0000

Thanks for advise faulty valve, now fixed. Thanks again.

By: Washerhelp

Washerhelp — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:27:55 +0000

Lindsey: You need to make sure the water supply is still there by checking the tap is on full and that the hose hasn’t got kinked.

It’s also possible that even if the tap looks on, if it’s the type with a plastic lever they are known for sometimes going faulty so they appear to turn on but don’t fully. Sometimes this is caused by the plastic lever cracking so it rides over the metal valve it’s supposed to be turning.

The best way to check is to turn the tap off, disconnect the hose from the washing machine and then hold it over the sink or into a bucket whilst turning the tap back on. Check that there is full water pressure.

If you can’t see anything wrong but the water pressure is low then you may just not have enough pressure to run most modern washing machines as described in my article. If your cold water supply is from an unconventional source such as a well or a tank something needs doing to sort it.

If your washer is connected to the mains water supply and stop tap is on full and you have a low water pressure you may need to ask your water company to check you are getting the required minimum water pressure or call in a plumber to have it checked.

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