Do I need to turn off the water supply to the washing machine after washing?

Many users wonder: should they turn off the water after the washing machine has finished its cycle? Of course, most people never do this, but it can have serious consequences. In this article, we'll try to figure out what's what.

To overlap or not to overlap?

Why should you turn off the water supply to the washing machine? It's even written in the operating instructions. It's because the inlet valve, which supplies and shuts off water to the machine, isn't designed to last forever. It's designed for temporary use, not permanent. Therefore, if the valve is constantly under pressure, there's a high probability that:

• the locking spring will weaken, and this will affect the tightness of the membrane:
• The rubber valve gasket may wear out due to constant stretching, which will lead to a powerful breakthrough and flooding of neighbors.

The shut-off spring is a device that instantly reacts to a drop in pressure in the tube. The situation is complicated, as a rule, by the fact that valves fail more often at night due to higher pressure and take the car owners by surprise. Therefore, make it a rule to stop feeding at least when you go to bed or leave the house, to avoid surprises.

Please note: Washing machine manufacturers are not responsible for valve failure if the water supply was not shut off at the time of the failure.

What if the faucet is difficult to reach? It may be hidden between the machine and the wall or concealed in a cabinet. Constantly moving the unit isn't an option, as it's physically demanding and time-consuming. It's best to keep the faucet visible. For example, you can move the machine slightly away from utility lines so that the faucets and wires are less visible but still easily accessible.

Yes, valve failure is a matter of chance. Sometimes the part would last for a decade without shutting off the water supply after washing, while other times, even with all the recommendations followed, it would fail after six months.

Aquastop – salvation from flooding

What is the Aquastop system in a washing machine? It's a special additional hose that's already built into the washing machine. Unlike a standard water supply, which can withstand 10 bar, it can withstand up to 70. Furthermore, the system is equipped with a special electromagnetic valve that immediately shuts off the water supply to the machine if a leak occurs. Moreover, Aquastop works even during washing, so you won’t have to urgently try to turn off the water supply to the washing machine; the valve will do it for you.

How does it work? A machine with the Aquastop system also has a special tray located deep inside. When water accumulates there, a sensor is triggered, signaling the valve to stop pumping water.

Furthermore, Aquastop can stop the water supply even if you've overdosed the detergent. But why bother? The problem is that foam forms when the detergent and water come into contact. If it accumulates in large quantities, it will overflow the tank and quickly leak out, risking damage to the electronics.

However, you shouldn't rely on Aquastop all the time. After all, any system has its limitations and can malfunction. It's best to follow all the operating instructions for your machine. The answer to the question "to turn off the tap or not to turn it off" is obvious. As you can see, overdoing it with detergents is also a bad idea; it can have dire consequences for your machine. Yes, there are cases where hoses burst for no apparent reason due to a manufacturing defect or other issues. But you can only claim your warranty if you've followed all the instructions for turning off the water.

   

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