Easy fixes for washing machine hose issues

With many working parts, a washing machine can experience any number of problems over its lifetime. Save time and money by learning to diagnose and repair minor issues with your machine.

Clean the water inlet hose filters

Washing machines may draw hot and cold, or only cold, water from your plumbing system. Incoming water passes through small mesh filters between the inlet hoses and the machine. These trap any small particles in the water supply to protect the machine. If blocked, the filters will slow or stop the inflow of water, but they can easily be removed and cleaned.

Time needed: 30 minutes.

Tools needed: pipe wrench, pin and long-nose pliers.

1. Unplug the machine and isolate it from the water supply by turning the stop tap(s) on the water pipes supplying the machine. Remove the inlet hose(s) from the back of the machine; use a wrench if you cannot unscrew them by hand. Take care to keep the washer and the hose connected.
2. In some machines, the filter is located in the end of the inlet hose. Use a pair of long-nose pliers to pull the filter out from the hose. Remove the rubber seating on the filter and put it somewhere safe. In other models, the filter may be located in the washing machine, at the hose inlet. Again, use long-nose pliers to pull the filter out.
3. Wash the mesh filter under running water, picking out any bits of grit with a pin.
4. Replace the rubber seal and push the filter back into place. Screw the hose back onto the machine — don't overtighten the plastic connector. Repeat with the second inlet hose, if present.

Tighten your hose connections

It is often hard to tell where a washing machine is leaking — all you'll see is a telltale puddle on the floor.

Take a close look at the spilled water. If it's clear — and especially if the leak happens when the machine isn't running — the source is probably one of the inlet hoses.

1. Pull the machine away from the wall and turn the stopcock on its supply pipe to isolate it from the water supply.
2. Unscrew the inlet hoses and look inside the connectors to check that the washers are intact; if they are split, buy replacements from your plumbing supplier.
3. Replace the hose and tighten gently with a wrench to ensure a watertight fit.

If the water on your floor is soapy or dirty, the door seal or pump could be leaking.

1. Before calling for a repair, check the plumbing at the outflow of the machine — this is often the site of a "dirty water" leak. You'll see that the flexible, corrugated sump pipe of your washing machine feeds into a long, hard, plastic waste pipe attached to the wall. This channels waste water to the external drain via a U-bend trap, which is highly susceptible to blockage.
2. Unscrew the plastic fittings holding the U-bend in place and clean it thoroughly with hot water and detergent; use a lime remover if necessary.
3. Refit the U-bend and push the sump pipe securely back into the waste pipe before running the machine.