Tutorial: How To Complete a Washer Dryer Hook-Up Correctly

If you have moved or you are looking to replace your washing machine or your electric dryer, you might need a little help with the process to remove and then connect your new washer and dryer. You will find that there are some differences in this process when you have newer washing machine styles or something like a gas dryer for your replacement machines.

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Making sure that you know what each hook-up type does and looking at the directions for the washer and dryer that you own can be a great place to start, but you might still feel confused about the process. Many people do not ever have to connect washing machines or dryers themselves, so this can be a common question during a move or an upgrade.

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If you are ready to learn more about how to connect your washing machine and dryer, read on!

Preparing to Install Your Washing Machine

You should always start this process by checking that your new washing machine will fit in the space left by the old unit. If you have moved into a new home with your existing appliances, you will need to see if the plastic vent hose and the drain line will fit into the connections for your device.

Hooking Up Your Washing Machine

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Hooking up a washing machine is not that tough if you have confirmed that it will fit into the space that you have available. You will need to follow these steps to complete the process:

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1. Run Water Through Faucets

Make sure that you take a bucket into the space and run both faucets. The water should run clear and readily through the taps. You can prevent a significant issue later on for your washing machine function if you start with this step first step. Trust us; it’s worth checking on this first before you do anything else.

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2. Place the Machine

Carefully slide the machine into the space that it will be sitting in. Leave a little room to slip behind it for the final steps of the hook-up process. You will want to be sure that you can readily access the supply lines and outlets. If you need help with this step, make sure that you have a friend or family member to make moving the machine easier.

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3. Connect Water Supply

Connect the hot water supply and cold water supply to the correct connections on the wall in your laundry room. These are color-coded for easy installation, so red will be for the hot and blue for the cold water connection. Ensure that the water supply hoses will not be kinked or bent and that their connections are solid. Use pliers to tighten the connections when you are satisfied with their placement.

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4. Connect Water Supply to Your Machine

Connect the hoses to your machine. These inlets will be color-coded, and you will need to be sure that you use the plain rubber washers to prevent leaks at the connection points. Use your pliers again to make sure that these connections are solid.

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5. Check for Leaks

Turn on the water to ensure that you do not see any leaks at the faucet and machine connections. If you do not have any leaks to fix, you can move on to the next step.

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6. Drain Hose Connections

Ensure that you connect the drain hose unless your washing machine comes with it pre-connected. It is becoming increasingly common for washing machine models to have their drain hoses connected from the manufacturer.

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7. Feed Drain Hose Into Receptacle

You will just need to feed the drain pipe into the receptacle. Depending on your laundry room’s arrangement, this drain receptacle might be on the floor or the wall.

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8. Plug-In Washer

Plug the washer in and make sure that it is working correctly. If you do not see any issues with the hookups or the machine’s performance, you can push it back against the wall.

Hooking Up Electric Dryers

Electric dryers are the most common kind of dryer, and it is often straightforward to set up in your laundry room. As with the washing machine, you will need to measure the space to ensure that your dryer will fit, and checking fit is a crucial step to take care of before hooking it up.

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1. Check That the Dryer Exhaust Vent is Clear

Even if you are moving into a new home, debris and other items can clog up your dryer vent and create a fire risk. Make sure to take the time to use a shop vac to clean out this vent before you hook up your dryer.

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2. Place the Dryer Closer to the Wall

Move the dryer mostly into place but leave some room to help you access the connections behind it. Get some help if you need someone else to help you move your washer and dryer around the laundry room.

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3. Attach the Vent Hose

This host should already be connected to the wall in your laundry room. You might have to attach it with a gasket and ring arrangement, but there are a variety of possible attachments that your machine might need to connect the vent hose to the back of the device. Read the instructions for your electric dryer to ensure that you have the right items to complete the task at hand. Metal hoses require different connections for the dryer vent hose than hoses made of other materials.

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4. Plug it In

At this stage, you can plug in the dryer and test it to be sure it is working right. If you have confirmed that the dryer is performing correctly, you can push it back against the wall next to the washer.

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What About Gas Dryers?

Gas dryers require a different installation process than electric dryers. Many people will choose to have a professional take care of this kind of installation due to the risks of working with gas in a small space. A gas dryer is not as common as an electric dryer, and for a good reason.

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Always make sure that the gas is off at the shut-off valve. Do this before you do any work on the hookup for this style of dryer. You will want to have pipe wrap for the connection at the gas line to prevent leaks after you connect it. Always use a flexible gas line to connect the metal line to the dryer and then tape off the connections carefully to prevent leaks. 

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Check that there are no leaks by spreading some water and dish soap over the gas line and turning on the valve. If no leaks or bubbles show, you can shut off the gas again and wrap the tube with duct tape. There are also metal brackets that will do the same thing as duct tape if you want to avoid using it for this step.

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Plugin your gas dryer and push it back into place. Make sure that it is working correctly. You should not have any trouble accessing the electrical outlet for this kind of dryer, but be careful not to run into and jar the connections you just made for the gas.

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Installing Washers and Dryers Can be Easy

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Making sure that you install your washer and dryer correctly is easy when using this guide. You will find that most washer and dryer arrangements are straightforward to connect and set up. Gas dryers require a little more attention to detail, especially once the gas connection is intact. The remainder of the process is straightforward.

Tired of your current landlord and need something new? Rentlingo offers you the means to search for apartments and rental properties that come with a washer and dryer, enabling you the power to avoid all the nasty hookups. You can also easily shop for properties near laundromats if you would rather not have to hook up your washer and dryer. Finding the perfect home or apartment is easy with Rentlingo!

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