Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

We are in a 2 story Levitt Ranch and our Washer and Dryer are upstairs.

Of course my wife did not like how old the existing washer and dryer was.. and wanted me to replace them. $1500 buks later we got a front loading washer and dryer delivered today.

Now my wife calls me and says there is not enough water pressure coming up to the new washer and its not washing the clothes properly. She washes in cold water

Gotta get a plumber in I guess. Anyone else have this issue? We may have to install larger pipes going upstairs.

I tested out their existing top loading washer during the walkthrough and it seemed fine. And I know top loading washers usually have decent capacity so my new front loader can't be too much larger (probably .5 to 1 cu/ft bigger tops)

I know I will probably get owned on the price of this... can someone tell me how much liquor I have to buy to prepare myself for this expense? LOL


Should have just bought "el cheapo" washer. Thats what I get I suppose for trying to make the wife happy.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

someone told me that front load washer uses ALOT less water to wash, because it tumble washes the clothes....not sure of specifics, but it was something like 2 gallons of water????

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Posted by MrsERod

someone told me that front load washer uses ALOT less water to wash, because it tumble washes the clothes....not sure of specifics, but it was something like 2 gallons of water????

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Posted by DjPiLL

Maybe these new front loaders are so energy and water efficient that you don't actually see the water... but the clothes get washed?

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

What you say makes sense about using a lot less water. Why not call the manufacturing and find out what's normal?

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

This is what we bought.

http://www.frigidaire.com/products/laundry_2005.asp

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Colleen:

Thats exactly what I saw which made me feel better.

But my wife said she just took her clothes out and there was a ton of soap still in the clothes. Maybe she put too much soap in.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Yeah, they do seem to use a lot less water. We have a fridgisaire too (I'm pretty sure) and I was amazed when the washer filled for such a short amount of time and started to wash. And our clothes all come out clean.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Posted by DjPiLL

Colleen:

Thats exactly what I saw which made me feel better.

But my wife said she just took her clothes out and there was a ton of soap still in the clothes. Maybe she put too much soap in.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Posted by oneday

Posted by DjPiLL

Colleen:

Thats exactly what I saw which made me feel better.

But my wife said she just took her clothes out and there was a ton of soap still in the clothes. Maybe she put too much soap in.

Did she use detergent for Energy efficient machines? I know they say that regular detergent can cause too much sudsing. e usually use the EE - in the beginning we used our regular (because that was what we had) and just use less, but they tell me that then your clothes may not come out as clean.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

Posted by DjPiLL

Colleen:

Thats exactly what I saw which made me feel better.

But my wife said she just took her clothes out and there was a ton of soap still in the clothes. Maybe she put too much soap in.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

She definitely didn't use the HE detergent. I bought Tide at BJs and I went on Tide's website and I pulled up their version of the HE soap.

She probably put too much of the regular detergent soap in. I may have the plumber come in anyways to check out a few other things.

This is what happens when you are a newb at this stuff. Thanks.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

I am going to tell my wife to buy this.

Tide HE

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

That is the problem - the front loading machines barely use any water at all - she won't see it full of water like the top loading ones, also you don't HAVE to use the special soap, but most people do - it is less sudsy (sp?)
good luck

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Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

I've had a front loading washing machine for years, and yes, they use considerably less water. Although it is recommended that you use a HE detergent, that's not necessary. I never have and never had a problem. Just use 1/2 the amount of soap as you normally would. I am sure the water pressure is fine, especially since you had a washing machine there before. Trying using less soap. Regular Tide is fine, that's what we use.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

I have front loading washers too. I was told that they only use 4 gallons of water to wash laundry. I too have watched the washer and thought the clothes were dry but they are not.

The repair man told me to only use HE soap or if you need to use the regular soap use only a tablespoon or two, the HE is a load sudsing soap. He told me if you keep using the regular stuff that eventually you are going to ruin the machine. ( i am not too sure if i believe him or not) He also said never to measure the soap in the machines dispenser. Use the cup that comes with the soap and use that it is normally less than the dispenser on the machine.

PS you wife is going to love these machines they are sooo convient.

Re: Water Pressure Question - Washing Machine

you can use regular detergent, just cut back to about a 1/4 of the amount you normally use.