Which faucet should I choose for my washing machine?
You should not only use an automatic machine correctly, but also follow safety precautions. Washing machines have direct contact with water supplied through an inlet hose. To prevent a flood in the apartment caused by an unexpected breakdown of the unit and other emergencies, a tap is installed between it and the pipe. It is recommended to cover it between washes. For precautionary measures to be effective, the faucet for connecting the washing machine must be of high quality and reliable.
Is it possible to do without a tap?
Plumbing shut-off valves are designed to shut off water to a household appliance. If the hose is connected directly to the washing machine, in emergency situations you will have to shut off the general water supply, which is not always possible or convenient. The crane allows you to do this quickly and easily, even a child can handle it, and this will prevent serious damage from flooding. After all, not only its owners, but also the residents of the floors located below often suffer from suddenly burst pipes or broken down equipment.
Another advantage of overlapping is the ability to block the water supply during repair work or when changing household appliances. Experts do not recommend neglecting the installation of a faucet: the price of the device is low, there are no special problems with its installation, and it can save you from very serious troubles.
Which type of faucet should I look for?
To choose the right faucet, you should understand what types they come in and what the differences are between them.The main difference in the fittings is the type of mechanism that prevents the flow of water when the handle is turned. He can be:
spherical - there is a metal ball inside, whose movement prevents the movement of water;
valve - the liquid is shut off using a metal strip inside the device.
The second type of tap is recommended for owners of large diameter pipes; it is also needed in rooms with hot steam (showers, bathrooms, baths). If the washing machine is installed in the kitchen, utility room, balcony or other similar premises, preference should be given to a ball locking device.
Important! The ball valve must not be left half open or closed.
This is due to the fact that with a weak water supply in an intermediate position, dirt particles in the water settle around the ball. Under the influence of salts and metals, also present in the liquid, they harden and “sour”, which leads to difficulties in operating the tap and its subsequent breakdown, so it must be turned to the “Open/Closed” position completely.
By observing this basic requirement, the ball valve will last for many years. According to experts, this is the most reliable locking mechanism with many advantages.
It is easy to use and install.
Has increased tightness.
Durable due to its simple design;
It is light weight and it is compact.
Also, taps for washing machines are divided depending on the installation location:
walk-through – installed after connecting the washing machine to the water supply;
corner - necessary in places where pipes bend;
three-way (tees) - convenient when it becomes necessary to connect two or more household appliances to one water pipe.
It is recommended to entrust the selection of such a crane to a specialist who will subsequently install the equipment.
The faucet must not only be of high quality and reliable, but also fully comply with the size and type of both the pipe supplying water to the machine and the type of hose of the household appliance being installed.
Selecting a faucet
Choosing a good faucet is critically important, because the safety of the room depends on it. When choosing a shut-off device, it is important to consider the following faucet parameters:
material of manufacture (brass, silumin, powder alloys);
type of design (ball mechanisms are more reliable);
the diameter of the water pipe (must match the diameter of the outlet of the tap itself);
type of thread (external or internal) - the choice depends on which one is already present on the pipe;
type of connection (selected individually and depends on its location).
As for the material of manufacture, taps made of brass are considered the most durable, but their price is much higher than their cheaper and more fragile counterparts made of powder alloys or silumin. However, they are not susceptible to cracks and breakages caused by impacts or rough mechanical impact, and such an investment will be more profitable and reliable.
It is also worth paying attention to the appearance of the shut-off device: it is important that the rotation of the faucet handle is not interfered with by walls, pipes themselves, or nearby equipment or furniture. Also, the handle should not slip in your hands, be comfortable to use and not create difficulties when turning.
You should not only use an automatic machine correctly, but also follow safety precautions. Washing machines have direct contact with water supplied through an inlet hose. To prevent a flood in the apartment caused by an unexpected breakdown of the unit and other emergencies, a tap is installed between it and the pipe. It is recommended to cover it between washes. For precautionary measures to be effective, the faucet for connecting the washing machine must be of high quality and reliable.
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