Whether you’re dealing with a leak, replacing hoses, or moving your washing machine, knowing how to turn off water to your washing machine is an essential skill for any homeowner. This guide will show you exactly how to turn off the water supply to your washing machine step by step, ensuring you can quickly stop the water flow and avoid any potential damage.
Why You Might Need to Turn Off the Water to Your Washing Machine
Turning off the water supply to your washing machine can help in various situations:
- Replacing worn-out hoses
- Preventing or stopping leaks
- Performing maintenance or repairs
- Relocating the washing machine
Tools You Might Need:
- Adjustable Wrench (optional, in case the shut-off valve is stuck)
- Towel or Bucket (to catch any excess water)
How to Turn Off Water to Your Washing Machine
Most washing machines have two water supply valves, one for hot water and one for cold water. Here’s how you can turn them off: Before performing any repairs, always know how to shut off the water supply to your washing machine to avoid accidental flooding.
1. Locate the Water Shut-Off Valves
The water shut-off valves are usually located behind the washing machine, where the hoses connect to the water supply. There will be two valves: one for hot water (often marked with red) and one for cold water (often marked with blue). Turning off the water supply is the first step in washing machine plumbing maintenance, especially if you’re replacing worn-out hoses.
2. Turn Off the Valves
- Rotate both valves clockwise to close them. Turning the valves clockwise will stop the flow of water to the washing machine.
Pro Tip: If the valves are hard to turn, use an adjustable wrench to get a better grip, but avoid over-tightening, as it could damage the valves.
3. Test for Water Flow
Once you’ve turned off both the hot and cold water valves, run a short cycle on your washing machine to ensure no water flows into the drum. If no water enters, you’ve successfully turned off the water supply.
What to Do If You Can’t Turn Off the Water to Your Washing Machine
In some cases, especially in older homes, the water shut-off valves may be difficult to turn or may not work at all. Here are a couple of solutions:
1. Shut Off the Main Water Supply
If you can’t turn off the valves behind your washing machine, you may need to shut off the main water supply to your house. Learn how to do this with our Master Guide: How to Turn Off Water to Your Whole House.
2. Call a Plumber
If the shut-off valves are stuck or broken, it’s best to call GPS Plumbing a licensed plumber. We can replace the old valves and ensure your washing machine water supply can be easily controlled in the future.
When to Turn Off the Water to Your Washing Machine
Here are some common scenarios when you’ll need to turn off the water supply to your washing machine:
- Replacing Washing Machine Hoses: Over time, hoses can wear out and begin to leak. Turning off the water before replacing them prevents flooding.
- Relocating or Replacing the Washing Machine: If you’re moving or replacing your washing machine, turning off the water supply is crucial to prevent leaks.
- Washing Machine Leaks: If you notice water pooling around or behind your washing machine, shut off the water supply immediately to avoid significant damage.
- Performing Maintenance or Repairs: Whenever you’re working on your washing machine, shutting off the water supply prevents accidental leaks.
Related Guides for Turning Off Water to Other Fixtures
Check out our other step-by-step guides for turning off water to different fixtures in your home:
- How to Turn Off Water to a Kitchen Sink: Learn how to shut off water to your kitchen sink during repairs or leaks.
- How to Turn Off Water to a Toilet: Discover how to turn off the water to your toilet in case of leaks or overflows.
- How to Turn Off Water to a Faucet: Follow this guide to stop water flow to a bathroom or kitchen faucet.
- How to Turn Off Water to Your Bathroom Sink: Learn the steps to quickly stop the water flow to your bathroom sink during leaks or repairs.
- How to Turn Off Water to Your Whole House: In case of a major plumbing emergency, learn how to shut off the water supply to your entire home.
- How to Turn Off Water to a Refrigerator: Find out how to shut off water to your refrigerator, especially if it has a water dispenser or ice maker.
- How to Turn Off Water to a Water Heater: Learn how to shut off water to your water heater during maintenance or if it’s leaking.
Final Thoughts: Turning Off Water to Your Washing Machine
Knowing how to turn off the water to your washing machine is an essential skill that can help prevent flooding, minimize damage, and make repairs easier. Whether you’re dealing with a small leak or replacing parts, controlling the water flow is the first step. Now that you know how to turn off water to your washing machine, you can prevent water damage, perform maintenance, and avoid costly leaks in your home.
If you have trouble turning off the water or need professional assistance, contact GPS Plumbing. Our experienced plumbers can quickly repair or replace washing machine shut-off valves and address any other plumbing issues to keep your home safe and leak-free.
