2  Measure the area to ensure a proper fit. Washing machines come in a number of shapes and sizes, so you may need to measure yours to ensure it will fit properly in the space you intend to put it. You should also measure the doorways it will need to pass through in order to reach its final destination. Remember that you will need to measure the width as well as the depth of both the washing machine and the space you will put it to ensure a proper fit.^[2]

• Make sure the doorway’s interior dimensions are wider than the washing machine.
• Many washing machines are most narrow when carried or loaded onto a hand truck from the side.

3  Adjust the leveling feet. Leveling feet are the little legs underneath the appliance itself. These are adjustable and should be calibrated so that your washing machine will be as level as possible. Turning leveling feet clockwise will lower that corner of the washer and turning them counter clockwise will raise it. Place a carpenter’s level on the top of the appliance, then twist the feet located at the bottom of each corner as needed until the level reflects an even surface.^[3]

• A nut around each leg prevents them from turning once you have set the proper height for each corner.
• Loosen the locking nuts by turning them counter clockwise independent of the leg itself. Once you have leveled the appliance, turn the nuts clockwise until they’re tight to lock the legs in place.
• Remember to use the level both left to right and from front to back, as the washer must be level in both directions.

4    new machine ? If you are replacing an existing washing machine, you should disconnect and remove it entirely before bringing the new one into place. Make sure to shut off the water leading to the old machine before disconnecting it and have a bucket in place to catch the remaining water as it drains from the lines once they’ve been disconnected. Be careful not to allow any draining water to come into contact with the power outlet for the washer and dryer.^[4]

• Make sure you turn off both the hot and cold water that leads to the old machine before disconnecting it.
• You may need pliers or a wrench to disconnect stuck on hoses attached to the old washing machine.

5  Connect the water supply hose. The water supply hose is what feeds water into your washing machine when you do laundry. If you have pipes that run to your washing machine’s location you can simply attach the hoses here. Make sure to tighten your water connections snugly to prevent leaks from developing, but do not overtighten. You can usually make these connections tight enough using only your hands.^[5]

• If the hose is too short you can purchase a longer hose meant to withstand higher pressure. Never try to stretch the hose, as this may cause it to break.
• Connect the hot and cold hoses to their respective water pipes. These pipes should resemble a hose spigot with threads to screw water lines onto, though some houses and washers may use a different connection method.
• You may choose to wrap the spigot in Teflon or plumbers tape to ensure water can’t leak through the threading once connected.

6  Set up the drain hose. The drain hose needs to be installed correctly to prevent leaks. If your washer is located near a sink, you can feed the drain hose over the edge and into the sink. If you do not have a drain or sink basin near the washer, you may need to use a standpipe.

• If using a sink, attach a plastic hose guide to keep the hose bent downward and make sure the hose doesn’t reach too high above the washer – 60 to 90 centimeters (23 to 35 inches) is ideal.
• Your washer might come with a plastic hose guide. If not, you can purchase one at your local hardware store or through an online retailer.
• If using a standpipe, choose one with a diameter greater than that of the hose.^[7]
• Position the standpipe so that its top is higher than the washing machine’s water level. If your washer does not indicate the water level, you can estimate it by examining the interior of your washer.

7  Try a test run. Once your washer is hooked up, you should be ready to do a load of laundry. However, instead of loading your laundry and leaving it unattended, it’s best to closely monitor your washer for the first few loads to ensure that there are no leaks.^[8]

• Wait by the washer and check around, under, and behind the appliance.
• If you see any signs of leaking, tighten all the connections around that leak.
• If the washer won’t stop leaking, turn it off and call a professional plumber to inspect your pipes and connections.    

washing machine installation. in Brighton and Hove east Sussex