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Hooking up a new washer is a snap if the laundry area is set up for the appliance. But if you’re installing a washer in a new location, you will need to run hot and cold water supply pipes to the connection point and terminate each with a shutoff valve and possibly a water-hammer arrester.
If there is an existing laundry sink, you can hook the washer’s drain hose over the sink’s edge. Otherwise, the washer will need to drain into a standpipe, a 2-inch- diameter pipe with a built-in trap that taps into the nearest drainpipe. The top of the standpipe should be between 18 and 30 inches above the trap (some codes allow up to 42 inches). The trap should be 6 to 18 inches above the floor. Standpipes are available with built-in traps or can be assembled using standard drainpipe and elbow fittings.
A single-lever valve is an alternative to conventional washing machine shutoff valves. With this type, you just flip the lever to shut off the water supply. Because the hoses that connect a washing machine can leak or burst, this is a good way to prevent an unexpected flood.
1) Screw the washing machine’s water supply hoses onto the connections at the back of the washing machine. If the hoses are marked, be sure to orient them to hot and cold accordingly.
2) Connect the washing machine supply hoses to the proper valves. Scoot the appliance into place. Level the top of the machine, adjusting its front feet as needed.
3) Put the drain hose into the standpipe (or laundry sink). Turn on the water supply valves, and check for leaks.
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