Any washing machine is known to be a potential source of leaks. And if this happens, then you have to repair the washing machine, and in some cases, pay for repairs to the neighbors living below. To protect against water leakage, you can use Aquastop for your washing machine.
General characteristics of the system
Aquastop is a device designed to protect a room from flooding, which can occur if the washing machine hose is damaged.
Damage to the inlet hose of a washing machine can occur for various reasons. For example, it may be damaged by an object with sharp edges, damaged by a pet, or simply burst.
Flooding can also occur due to a crack in the fitting of the pipe leading to the washing machine. However, regardless of the reasons for the flooding, you will have to carry out repairs not only on your own, but also, possibly, on your neighbor’s apartment. And this will lead to serious financial losses.
The aquastop system is a valve with a spring. It will turn on when you fall water pressure. In other words, the flow of water into the washing machine immediately stops if a leak is detected. Thanks to this system, there is no need to worry about opening and closing the tap that supplies water to the washing machine hose.
The aquastop device of the washing machine is thought out to the smallest detail. For example, if the tightness of the hose is broken, all the water from it goes into a special pan. And in the pan itself there is a sensitive element. This element will close the valve contacts, as a result of which water will not flow into the machine.
The aquastop valve also shuts off the water supply if the powder dosage was chosen incorrectly. After all, if there is an excess of soap suds, the lower tank of the machine will overflow, and it will begin to come out. Also, some washing machine models have a water pumping function. It starts when the working and emergency aquastop valves do not operate.
Types of aquastop
The following varieties exist:
- Aquastop UDI. It is a system for instantly stopping the water of a washing machine. It fires within 1 second. Externally, this part looks like a threaded pipe that can be connected separately to the machine. This part only works when there is a sharp drop in pressure. In other words, it will not fix small leaks right away.
- Built-in aquastops. Washing machines with this system are more expensive. There are two types of such aquastops: simple and with a valve that operates automatically. Simple ones are located at the bottom and turn off the moment the water leaves the tank body of the machine.
- Powder hitchhiking. It includes a hose for connection. One end is connected to the water supply, and the other to the washing machine. It should be noted that such a hitchhiker is disposable, since the water in it is absorbed using an absorbent. When water leaks in a double hose with empty walls, a very violent reaction begins. The valve will shut off the water supply to the washing machine and the problem will be eliminated. Such an aquastop system can protect against a couple of holes and can hardly be considered reliable protection for a machine.
Do-it-yourself installation of aquastop
You can install it yourself. To do this you need to do the following:
- Disconnect the washing machine from the power supply and water supply.
- Disconnect the hose required for water supply from the washing machine. At this stage, it may be necessary to replace the o-rings, as well as wash the coarse filters.
- Install the sensor on the water supply tap. In this case, the device must be turned clockwise.
- Connect the inlet hose to the aquastop.
- Check the quality of the system installation. To do this, you need to carefully release water into the hose. If any malfunctions are found, correct them immediately.
Additional measures
- The water pipes leading to the washing machine must be made of durable material. As a rule, pipes made of polypropylene or metal-plastic are used. Copper and galvanized steel pipes are also used. It should be noted that galvanized steel pipes have the shortest service life among all the above options (up to thirty years). Polypropylene pipes have proven themselves well.However, they can be damaged under strong mechanical stress. Craftsmen do not recommend installing fitting systems and taps made of aluminum. Such a part can burst under high pressure.
- Make a floor in the bathroom made of waterproofing material. This will prevent flooding of the neighbors below. If such a floor is laid correctly, the water will go down the drain on its own.
- Turn off riser valves when you are not at home. This action must be performed primarily in cases where the drain hose of the machine is damaged. This recommendation is contained in almost any washing machine manual, but most people do not follow this advice.
