If your washing machine is not cleaning clothes as well as it used to, or if it seems to be taking longer to fill up with water, the problem may be a dirty water inlet valve. Over time, sediment and mineral deposits can build up inside the valve, preventing it from opening and closing properly. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix.
How to clean water inlet valve on washing machine
So you can access the back. Locate the water inlet valve, which is usually near the bottom of the machine. You may need to remove a panel or hose to get to it. Using a wrench or pliers, unscrew the valve from the washing machine. Be careful not to strip the threads. Soak the valve in a bowl of vinegar or CLR for 30 minutes to remove any mineral deposits. Scrub the valve with a toothbrush or other soft brush to remove any remaining deposits. Rinse the valve with water and screw it back into the washing machine. Turn on your washing machine and check for leaks. If there are no leaks, your water inlet valve is now clean and should be working properly.
Shut off the water supply to your washing machine
Unscrew the water inlet valve from the machine. Soak the valve in a bowl of vinegar or CLR for 30 minutes to remove any mineral deposits. Scrub the valve with a toothbrush or other soft brush to remove any remaining deposits. Rinse the valve with water and screw it back into the washing machine. Turn on your washing machine and check for leaks.
Replace the valve and screw it back into place
Turn on the water supply to your washing machine. Check for leaks. If there are no leaks, your water inlet valve is now clean and should be working properly. Check that the hose connections are secure and not leaking. Replace any hoses that are damaged or leaking. Turn on your washing machine and check that it is filling properly. If your washing machine is still not filling properly, the problem may be with the water pressure in your home. Check the water pressure in your home. If the water pressure in your home is too low, it can prevent your washing machine from filling properly. To check the water pressure in your home, turn on a faucet and let the water run for a few minutes. Then, use a pressure gauge to check the pressure. The ideal water pressure for a washing machine is between 30 and 120 psi. If your home’s water pressure is below 30 psi, you will need to install a booster pump.If the water pressure in your home is above 120 psi, you will need to install a pressure regulator. If your washing machine is still not filling properly, the problem may be with the water inlet valve itself. If this is the case, you will need to replace the valve. Turn off the water supply to your washing machine and disconnect the hoses from the valve. Remove the old valve and install the new valve. Reconnect the hoses to the new valve and turn on the water supply. Turn on your washing machine and check that it is filling properly. If you are still having problems with your washing machine, please consult a qualified repair person. Cleaning the Water Inlet Valve on Your Washing Machine. If your washing machine is not cleaning clothes as well as it used to, or if it seems to be taking longer to fill up with water, the problem may be a dirty water inlet valve. Over time, sediment and mineral deposits can build up inside the valve, preventing it from opening and closing properly. Luckily, this is an easy problem to fix.
