How to Open OR Turn on the water valve on a Washing Machine?

Water valve position and types depend on the make of your washing machine and its model.

Water Valves are attached to the main supplies and connect the washer through inlet hoses. These hoses are attached to the washer’s water inlet valves.

When you turn on the water valves it releases the water towards the inlet valves through the water inlet hoses.

These water inlet valves have a self-locking mechanism that works with the water level sensors.

The inlet valves release the water inside the washtub only after a signal is triggered through the sensors during a wash cycle.

This is a complete guide to opening or turning on the water vales.

In this post we will cover:

• How to Open or Turn ON the water valve on a washing machine?
• Different types of valves and supplies
• Why do you need to open the water valve?
• Steps to open the water valve
• And More…

Let’s dive into it.

How to turn ON the water valve on a washing machine?

Turning on a water valve is referred to as allowing the water supply towards the washer.

It releases the water flow towards the washer during a wash cycle and you can shut off the water supply to your washer by turning them off.

Depending on the wash type (using hot or cold water), these are usually connected to the main supplies of the washer.

With the help of a water pump, the water is released towards the washer, and there are water valves that look like outdoor faucets or valves, one for hot and the other for cold water.

These water valves can be manually turned Off and On.

A few Washers are designed to function using only cold water or normal supplied water while most washers have dual supplies with cold as well as hot water.

Steps to turn on the water valve in various washer supply types

Coldwater Washer

Washers that only supply cold water will have a single water inlet hose connected to the Washer’s inlet valve at one end and the other end is connected to the water supply valves or the faucets. 

Simply turn on the taps with a rotation in the right direction and it will allow the water to flow towards your washer.

Similarly, turn them off with a reverse rotation towards the left.

Hot & Cold Washer

Washers using hot and cold wash types will have dual hoses installed at the back, one for the cold water and another for the hot water supply.

The other ends of the inlet hoses are connected to the water pump valves.

The water pumps are installed close to the washer and are responsible for releasing the required water types (hot and cold).

Depending on the fixtures, the water pump valves are usually available in red and blue colored knobs, handles, or buttons.

Red indicates that it supplies hot water whereas blue indicates cold water supply.

Let us see how these work.

Knobs: Knobs can be rolled towards the right to turn ON the water supply and to the left in order to shut the water supply. (Red knob for hot water and blue for normal)

Handles: Simply turn the handles to the extreme right in order to allow the water supply towards your washer. (Red handle for hot water and blue for cold or normal water)

Buttons: Simply press the Red button for hot water supply for cold press the blue button. Press them again to turn off the water supply and the light will turn off.

How to Open the water Valve on a Washing Machine?

Before you open or detach the water valve of your washing machine let us check on various reasons why you may want to detach or open the water valves in the first place.

Cleaning or Servicing

The water valves of the washers need to be detached in the event of a cleaning process or maybe when you get your washer serviced.

The water valves can clog or wear out through various factors if kept uncleaned for a longer time.

The chances of water valves clogging or getting damaged are more likely in the regions that supply hard water.

The floating debris and other particles are also responsible for clogs and wear-outs and need regular cleaning.

Also Read: How to Clean the LG Washing Machine?

Repair or Replacement

In the event of a worn-out water valve, you will have to detach them in order to replace it with a new one.

You may also have to open the valves during the plumbing activities carried around the water valves and connected areas.

Shifting

In order to shift your washer’s placement in the household or in the event of you moving the house, you will certainly have to open and detach the washer components including the water valves.

Now that you know the possible scenarios where you may need to open th valve, Let’s understand the process to open or detach a water valve.

In most cases, we tend to open the water inlet valves of the washers in the event of cleaning, inspection, or replacement.

• Start by unplugging the washer as a safety precaution and turn off the main supplies of water towards the washer.
• You may have to carefully drag the washer from the wall to access its back.
• Now remove the inlet hoses from the back of your washer by simply rolling the valve connecters. Or if they are connected using clamps simply loosen the clamps and remove the hoses.
• Detach the hoses from the other ends of the water supply valves if required.
• Using the adjustable pliers you can simply open the water inlet valves.
• It is now open and ready for cleaning or for replacement.
• If you are unsure of any steps that are confusing you while opening the water valves, do not hesitate to take a piece of advice from an expert.
• Alternately you can refer to the user guide of your washer model and type.

Final Thoughts

Water valves are installed in all types of washers, the location may vary depending on the make of your washer.

Regular inspection and cleaning of these areas will result in an uninterrupted water supply.

Cleaning and replacement of water valves and hoses can be easily done at home using regular plumbing pieces of equipment.

Do not inspect major plumbing faults, instead consult an expert to get the plumbing issues diagnosed.

Also Read: How to Clean a portable washing machine?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions that are asked very often.