Replace Washing Machine Fill Hoses
Category: Appliances ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Time: 1h ·
Estimated cost: $40
Tools needed
- Channel-lock pliers
- Bucket
- Towels
- Flashlight
Materials needed
- Stainless-steel braided washer fill hoses (set of 2) (1 set)
- Single-lever washer shutoff valve (optional upgrade) (1 ea)
- PTFE tape (1 roll)
Execution steps
Shut off both water valves
Turn off hot and cold supply valves behind the washer. Run the washer briefly to confirm pressure is bled.
Duration: 5 min
Disconnect old hoses
Place towels and a bucket. With channel-locks, unscrew hoses from both the wall valves and the washer inlets. Drain water into bucket.
Duration: 15 min
Inspect inlet screens
Look inside the washer's inlet ports. Pick out any rust or debris from the small screens with tweezers — they get clogged.
Duration: 10 min
Install new braided hoses
Hand-tighten the rubber washer-end couplings — DO NOT use PTFE tape on rubber-sealed fittings. Snug 1/4 turn past hand-tight with channel-locks. Connect red to hot, blue to cold.
Duration: 15 min
Turn water on and test
Open both valves slowly. Watch every joint for 60 seconds. Run a quick rinse cycle to pressure-test.
Duration: 15 min
Safety first
- Replace fill hoses every 5 years — rubber hoses burst with no warning and flood entire houses.
- Don't crank the rubber gasket fittings with full force — over-tightening cuts the gasket and causes a slow weep.
When to hire a pro
If the wall shutoff valves leak when you turn them, replace them too — that's a plumber call.
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