Tee fitting for connecting the washing machine to the water supply

When you buy a new washing machine or when you move, you face the task of connecting the appliance to the water supply. For such a purpose, most often use a faucet called a tee.

The idea that a tap for the washing machine is not that important occurs to many people. Such users are most likely unfamiliar with the concept of water hammer in water pipes, as a result of which both metal and metal-plastic pipes can separate at the seam. And if the fill hose is connected directly to the plumbing, there is a great risk that it will break because of such a water hammer, leading to flows of water in the apartment.

In the connection of the washing machine can be used:

• Tees or through faucets. They are used for tapping into the piping.
• Angle cocks. They are chosen if you want to connect the appliance to a separate branch.

Each type of these valves is either a valve, ball valve or straight through valve. They differ in the way they shut off the water. In addition, they may differ in the material of which they are made (usually brass or silumin).

For a brief video review of tees/cocks, see the video below.

Select a suitable faucet should first of all be based on your skills and financial capabilities. The choice of the type of faucet should be based on your purchase budget, not the location of the washer.

The most economical and simple is a pass-through faucet, as it does not require special devices for installation. By connecting such a faucet to the water supply hose, the washing machine can be connected to the faucet, washbasin, water heater (to the pipe that supplies water to the heater tank) or even to the cistern (both after the hose and before it). When selecting a flow-through valve, it is important to pay attention to the direction of its lever, so that it does not rest against the wall and it was easy to get to it.

To connect the tee, you need to prepare a gas wrench and a set of wrenches. Also for the work you will need FUM tape, which should be screwed on the threads. Having tightened the connection with a gas wrench, you need to check its tightness. Installing a tee on the old pipes is not recommended.

See the connection process in the following video.

If you are going to install a corner valve, you should buy additional pipe. You will also need a special tee, which is installed in sections of the pipe. In general, the installation of the corner valve is the same as the connection of the tee valve, that is, you need to use FUM tape, winding it on the threads. Then the valve is screwed into the pipe, and the hose from the machine is connected to it. Then the connection is tightened with a gas wrench.

The easiest way to connect the machine to a place where there is already a tee for the faucet, toilet or dishwasher. After disconnecting the hose of the appliance, another tee tap is installed in its place. In his outputs are inserted and previously connected plumbing fixtures and faucet for the washing machine.

The second way is to use "vampire" - a special device that is attached to the pipe clamps. The "vampire" has a similar branch with a threaded tee. Connection technology in the following video guide.

If the pipe has not previously installed a tee and you do not have the opportunity to apply "vampire", you must perform mortise. Having cut part of the line, you will have to make a thread, and then already connect the tee.

To install a tee on plastic pipes requires a special tool and the right selection of a tee with fitting branches that mate with metal plastic pipes. Using special scissors, it is necessary to perform quality crimping taps. If you do not have such scissors and you have not worked with metal-plastic pipes before, it is better to invite a specialist to connect the machine.

People who have experience using tee taps to connect washing machines to the water supply, note that products made of silumin serve much less than those made of brass, and ball valves are more reliable than multi-turn valves. As for the manufacturer, customers note the high quality of triple valves made in Italy and Croatia.

Instead of a tee valve, you may prefer to install a tee fitting. After cutting the pipe, such a fitting is installed between its segments, and then in its free hole is inserted the pipe, which goes to the washing machine. This is both simple and inexpensive method, but it can not be called very reliable. The gaskets of the fitting will wear out over time, causing leaks.

You can also replace a tee valve with an ordinary ball valve. Its reliability is as high as that of a specialized faucet, while the cost is much lower.