Sick of Carrying Buckets for Laundry! Can You Help?

[FuzzyDragon09]

So to make a long story short: Part of our washing machine is broken. It was installed in, I think, 2005. I don't know what the faucets along the back wall are called, but anyway the installer connected the hot water just fine. Then when he went to do the cold water, the knob crumbled in his hand. I don't know why it would do that. My dad has a theory about it being connected to an electrical current of some kind. I dunno. All I know is that I now hate laundry!! :furious:Oh and btw we didn't get it fixed. We have too many other problems with the house and a plumber, to come fix it, is not on the top of the list. And with the economy we can't even get to the number one item on the list.

For the past few years (probably around 4), we have had to carry 6-7, 3 gallon, buckets of water from the kitchen sink to the washing machine to fill it with cold water. We do this because if we used hot water all the time our clothes would shrink. So do the math: It's 6-7 buckets of water to wash a load of clothes and another 6-7 buckets of water to do the rinse cycle. Times that by about 5 loads a week and times that by the number of weeks in a year and times that again by 4.

I'm fed up and my mom is fed up (she does most of the laundry) and we want a cheap solution without calling a plumber. I was thinking of a hose of some kind. Our half-bath is literally a wall's thickness away from the washing machine. Is there some kind of mini-garden hose out there that I could connect to the bathroom sink? It would be so much easier if all we had to do was connect the hose to the sink, turn the water on, and leave it alone till it was filled. No-one could go to the bathroom till it was done, but it would make life easier and I think the buckets are really affecting my mom's back. What do you guys think? It needs to be pretty short and connect to the bathroom faucet.

Oops! I guess my long story short is now just a long story.

[grillmasterp]

DIY
The parts are available at any local hardware store.
You can buy the valves individually as well as the or as a kit (It will include
the plastic box as well as valves for both hot & cold water - May include new hoses).


1)Turn off Main water supply to the house.
2) Turn on bath faucets to drain water from lines
3) Move washer away from wall
(Be sure to have a bucket,towels rags near by)
4) Disconnect the hose going from the cold water valve>Cold water inlet
5) Using two pipe wrenches or 1 pipe for the pipe in the wall/1 combo wrench
for the valve- ...Remove broken valve.
6) Replace & reinstall new valve with teflon tape or pipe dope
7) Do steps4-1 in reverse order

Depending on age of hoses & hot water valve - I would suggest replacement as well.

Even if the Handle on the valve was broken- Its likely you could have still turned on the cold water with a pair of vise-grips

[Rico]

or you could run a water hose from the faucet. thats how i fill up my tanks. you can find all kinds of adaptors at home depot

[FuzzyDragon09]

I don't think I want to replace the valve. It sounds too time intensive, I know nothing about plumbing, and I kinda want to find something quick and temporary.

Young Rico, what kind of water hose are you talking about? If I post a picture of the faucet could you tell me how to connect something like that?

[PhishPhreek]

Go to any building supply / hardware store and ask for a waterbed fill kit.

[grillmasterp]

I don't think I want to replace the valve. It sounds too time intensive, I know nothing about plumbing, and I kinda want to find something quick and temporary.

lol- I take it the bucket slinging was supposed to be a quick & temporary fix

It's not surprising that a python water changer would be suggested in a Fish forum.

[grillmasterp]

Go to any building supply / hardware store and ask for a waterbed fill kit.

Or go to your LFS and pick up a Replacement Python (Lee's, Aqueon, etc... pump)

Actually, the minimal parts needed would be a Faucet> Hose adapter
since siphoning water seems unecessary.

Here are some links Fuzzy:

http://interstore.com/product/199-75039/sku-cd-og-6713309/Oatey_Faucet_Garden_Hose_Adapter_33444.html?ref=base

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=9447&Ntt=python%20brass&OneR esultRedirect=1

[FuzzyDragon09]

lol- I take it the bucket slinging was supposed to be a quick & temporary fix

It's not surprising that a python water changer would be suggested in a Fish forum.

Yeah. I think we had planned on getting the valve fixed but my dad didn't want to have to call a plumber. He likes to fix things himself but he never gets around to them, he gets busy, or he thinks we can deal. My parents didn't really mind carrying buckets (my dad still doesn't) but I now hate laundry with a passion. :evil: It's supposed to be easy. Just throw stuff in, close the lid, and walk away. We're not going back to the bucket of water and scrubbing board.

I'm actually supposed to be doing some laundry right now. Just about my whole closet is dirty.

Or go to your LFS and pick up a Replacement Python (Lee's, Aqueon, etc... pump)

Actually, the minimal parts needed would be a Faucet> Hose adapter
since siphoning water seems unecessary.

Here are some links Fuzzy:

http://interstore.com/product/199-75039/sku-cd-og-6713309/Oatey_Faucet_Garden_Hose_Adapter_33444.html?ref=base

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.as...sultRedirect=1

I actually don't own a Python. I have never felt the need to get one. I carry buckets. But right now it's only one bucket down the stairs to the backyard where I dump the dirty tank water. And it's only once a week.

The faucet adapter looks like a good thing to get. I'm not sure what you are trying to show me in the second link. Are you telling me I should get a Python? I'm a little confused. :?

[Rico]

few bucks at home depot

[FuzzyDragon09]

Okay so I can get a faucet adapter but what kind of hose do I get and where? I've been looking online and all I can find are 50 feet garden hoses. I just need something that's 6 feet or so. So I don't trip on it and it's not a pain to move.

[Rico]

just buy a small hose. i have one you can have if you can make it out here. its about 20ft but its kind of like a slinky so its short when you dont stretch it.

[PhishPhreek]

Call around, I bought a 15' hose at lowe's last year. Or you can get a barb fitting and buy tubing any length you want.

[Rico]

let me know if you want the water hose

[grillmasterp]

Sears, Home Depot, lowes etc......will sell garden hoses in 10 or 25 ft lengths.
You can also buy one of those coiled hoses that don't take up much space.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07169211000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Watering%2C+Hoses+%26+Sprinklers&sName=Garden+Hoses

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07169686000P?vName=Lawn+%26+Garden&cName=Watering%2C+Hoses+%26+Sprinklers&sName=Garden+Hoses

The cost of the hose & adapter will likely exceed the cost of a replacement valve.

Have you guys tried a different method to turn on the cold water that is attached to the washing machine? (such as vise grips as mentioned earlier?)

[Zulaab]

Any chance of getting a picture of the damaged faucet to see if its easily fixed ?