Leaking Washing Machine Valve

[CurtisO]

Hi everyone,

Just moved into our new house the other day and after getting the washing set up we realised it had leaked the follow day. Upon inspection we thought the previous owners hose was at fault however after putting a new one on the leak is still there but not as bad.

The image below points to where I am finding the water coming out on the underside but only at the back.

Does the water valve itself just need replacing?

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Check the washer in the hose before doing anything else, if you've reused it, it may not seal.

 

[CurtisO]

Washer in the hose should be fine as we got a new one and the leak still occurs just not as much as it did.

 

[oldbuffer]

Sometime the valve handles are too long, preventing the plastic nut on the end of the pipe from doing up tight enough to make a proper seal.
If so, three options:
1. Fit an extra 3/4 rubber washer inside the plastic nut before screwing it on. E.g. Screwfix 6039J.
2. Remove the plastic handle from the valve and turn the spindle with a spanner / grips / pliers. If you eventually have a new washing machine installed by the supplier, they probably won't be able to turn the spindle for themselves!
3. Isolate the water supply at the mains, remove the whole washing machine valve from the pipework and fit a new one. No guarantee it will be any better.

Try option 2 first. If it works OK, the problem IS the length of the lever, then go for option 1 and put the lever back on.

 

[CurtisO]

Sometime the valve handles are too long, preventing the plastic nut on the end of the pipe from doing up tight enough to make a proper seal.
If so, three options:
1. Fit an extra 3/4 rubber washer inside the plastic nut before screwing it on. E.g. Screwfix 6039J.
2. Remove the plastic handle from the valve and turn the spindle with a spanner / grips / pliers. If you eventually have a new washing machine installed by the supplier, they probably won't be able to turn the spindle for themselves!
3. Isolate the water supply at the mains, remove the whole washing machine valve from the pipework and fit a new one. No guarantee it will be any better.

Try option 2 first. If it works OK, the problem IS the length of the lever, then go for option 1 and put the lever back on.

So tried taking the lever off and after a while the tiniest amount of water is still seeping out.

So do I try changing the valve to see if that would rectify the problem or get a second washer?

 

[Sonic70]

If you zoom in on the image of the rubber washer, it looks like there could be a crack in the white plastic?

 

[Wayners]

If you zoom in on the image of the rubber washer, it looks like there could be a crack in the white plastic?

Yeah. I see it too. On that inner
white bit.

 

[CurtisO]

If you zoom in on the image of the rubber washer, it looks like there could be a crack in the white plastic?

Thought you might have found something then but upon closer inspection it is just where the plastic bits have been stuck together, there is on the opposite side.

 

[CurtisO]

Just to confirm these are only meant to be hand tight, dont need a tool to put them on.

 

[terryplumb]

Sometimes hand tight isn't enough ,and a nip with a set of grips is needed.
Is the mating face of the isolation valve clean ,and in good condition ?
The rubber seal in your last pic doesn't look too good !

 

[CurtisO]

Yeah from what I can tell all looks clear and good. Cant really see right round the back but looks the same all round.

 

[terryplumb]

The mating surface is the part the rubber washer sits against. Not the thread in your pic.
You would probably need a mirror to see the mating surface.

 

[CurtisO]

Apologies, I know not much of what anything is.

Believe this is what you mean, havent got a small mirror to assit with it unfortunately.

 

[Sonic70]

The surface of the valve which the rubber washer will mate with needs to be flat and clean, no Mark's or dinks.

 

[terryplumb]

Thanks for the pic ,hard to see with any clarity what condition it's in ,but from what I can make out it doesn't look the best.
I would fit a new one, it doesn't appear to have a flat face.