When we first start out on our own, most of us rent an apartment so general maintenance is taken care of for us. When we buy our first home there are numerous responsibilities attached to maintenance and upkeep. One of those things is taking care of the plumbing, heating and specifically, water connections to appliances.

The laundry room is one place where many people tend to overlook the importance of the water line connected to the washing machine. If you have never looked at that hose it’s a good idea to inspect it yourself to see what type of line is attached to your washing machine. One of the most common causes of a flood is a cracked water line flooding the laundry room when you are away. Coming home to a flood will ruin your day!

Recommended Washing Machine Water Line

If your washing machine hose is still the plastic factory type, we suggest you replace it with a braided hose. They are inexpensive and will last much longer than those cheap plastic hoses that come with the unit. Here are the recommended diameter and placement for your appliance.

Washing machines requires a 1/2″ hot and cold water supply. The water supplies should terminate just higher than the washing machine to allow the hose connections to be seen, and easily shut off when needed. Each water supply will require a 1/2″ sediment faucet that the washing machine supply hoses will connect to and water hammer arrestors. When buying a new water line, measure the old one so you know the right length. If you think it needs a little added length don’t hesitate to spend a dollar or two more. Do not replace the old one with a simple plastic hose, rather, spend a little extra and buy the braided type for longevity.