How to connect a washing machine to a barrel of water?

Many people mistakenly believe that in a private house that is not connected to central communications, it is better to forget about the automatic machine. In fact, this is not true. With some ingenuity and a little effort, you can create an autonomous “water supply”, thereby ensuring the supply of water to the washing machine. Yes, you can also figure out how to organize the drain. Let's talk about the features of connecting equipment in this case.

What is the main problem?

Connecting an automatic washing machine to a barrel of water is easy. The biggest difficulty is to create a certain pressure of the water flow, otherwise the inlet valve of the washer will not work. Therefore, a pump must be present in the “circuit”.

The machine will not take water from the barrel if you simply place the container next to it and throw the inlet hose into it. To ensure the required pressure, it is necessary to either raise the tank to a height of 3-4 meters relative to the washing machine, or install an electric pump. Of course, the second option is more convenient and preferable.

A pump that provides water supply can be purchased at specialized stores.

Pumping stations are presented in a huge range. They are compact, multifunctional, and operate almost silently. For example, one pump can be connected so that it fills a tank from a well, and then also supplies water to an automatic machine.

What will be required for installation?

This connection method can be used both for permanent use of a washing machine in a private home and in countryside conditions. To organize an autonomous “water supply”, you will need the following set of tools:

• construction tape;
• screwdriver with indicator;
• small adjustable wrench;
• level;
• pliers;
• tape for sealing joints;
• knife with a sharp blade.

All the required “equipment” can be found in every home. Another thing is the necessary materials and equipment. You will most likely have to spend money on them. Need to buy:

• a barrel of sufficient volume (preferably one with a hinged lid);
• tee tap;
• sealing rubber bands and clamps;
• water hose;
• water supply station;
• flow filter (if necessary);
• wooden blocks or metal profiles (necessary for making supplies for the tank).

This is all that is required in the process. The biggest costs will be incurred on the purchase of a pump and a barrel, but you can spend $40-60. This is not such a significant amount to limit yourself to using an automatic washing machine.

Description of the connection process

Will an automatic machine connected to a barrel work? Of course, if everything is organized correctly. People in their summer cottages have been using this method for a very long time, so there is nothing stopping you from using the method in a private home.

Of course, you can continue to suffer, filling the automatic washing machine with water from a bucket for both the main wash and rinse. However, soon this procedure of eternally monitoring the stages of the washing machine’s operation will get boring. Therefore, it is better to spend a few hundred dollars and a couple of hours of free time in order to save your energy in the future. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• install the automatic machine strictly on the level (the floor under it must be flat and durable);
• make a stand (50-60 cm in height) for the barrel from metal profiles or timber;
• place the container near the washing machine on the previously prepared “pedestal”;
• use a knife to cut a hole in the tank wall for the thread of the tee tap;
• insert the rubber seal into the hole and push the tap in (the valve should be tight);
• connect the water supply station to the tee tap;
• connect the inlet hose to the pump (if it is short, extend it with a regular water hose using an adapter);
• seal the joints with special tape, additionally secure the joints with clamps;
• remove the top panel of the machine body, find the inlet valve and remove the rubber seals from it (this will improve the throughput of the part);
• place a flow filter in front of the washer valve;
• Assemble the machine body and connect the inlet hose to it.

The structure is assembled, now you can check whether the machine will work. Plug in the washing machine, select the “Rinse” mode, activate it and start the pump. The water supply station will provide the required pressure, the inlet valve will open and water will flow into the tank. The drainage can be organized into an empty bucket or any other container of sufficient volume.

3 reader comments

1. 12/27/2021 at 23:39

   Vic:

   How much does the pump cost?

   Answer
2. 06/22/2022 at 03:49

   Elena:

   Is it possible to install a pump from a washing machine?

   Answer
3. 03/06/2023 at 04:43

   Volume:

   Your system is not correct, where is the check valve, where is the pressure switch in the system?

   Answer