Retrofit Aquastop with washing machine and dishwasher - instructions

• Aqua stop
• Materials and tools
  • Classic aquastop
  • Aquastops with counter securing
  • Jacketed hoses
• Retrofit Aquastop
  • Connect Aquastop
  • Water Monitoring Systems

The Aquastop is one of the most important components of the washing machine and the dishwasher. The mechanism protects against water damage, for example, when the water-bearing hose bursts, which would lead to the inevitable leakage of the machine. The safety mechanism detects the pressure drop and then interrupts the water supply. Most older or many cheaper devices are not equipped with such a component. Then it says: retrofit.

Today household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers are standard in many households and make home-based work noticeably easier. However, the use of these devices is not without risks. Because they carry water in high quantities, there will inevitably be water damage if the hose or machine is damaged. For this reason, the concept of the aquastop was developed. The simplest version of this component is a hose equipped with a shut-off valve that closes when pressure drops. The retrofittable component is inexpensive to buy and should not be missed as it can save you a lot of trouble.

Aqua stop

Why is an aquastop so important ">

Tip: The installation of the Aquastop does not have to be done by an installer. Since the simplest variant of the component is a hose, installation by yourself alone is possible.

Materials and tools

Replacing the aquastop is not a problem and can be done by people who have no knowledge of the subject. Of course, the component itself is important for this retrofitting and here you have five different variants available.

Classic aquastop

This model is the classic version of the aquastop that measures water pressure and reacts when the valve closes in the event of a sudden drop in pressure. They are also known as aquastop tubes with a hose location safeguard . That is, the hose slips or tears, changing within a moment of pressure. For example, if you accidentally move the machine and the hose loosens, the system will notice that. A problem with the hose-line guards is the incorrect measurement of hairline cracks or minor damage that does not cause a great pressure drop. Here it is possible for water to escape from the hose without the aquastop mechanism even noticing it. For this reason, you only offer the basic protection against flooding.

• Cost: 10 - 20 euros

Aquastops with counter securing

These hoses not only have a hose position assurance, but also an additional counter . This counter, located in the immediate vicinity of the valve, is set manually or automatically to a specific value which must not be exceeded. For this purpose, a turbine wheel is used, which continuously measures the amount of water . The advantage of the aquastops with counter protection is the ability to detect even the smallest changes in pressure and the amount of water and to react accordingly. As a result, this variant makes you a little better against potential water damage.

• Cost: about 20 euros

Jacketed hoses

Double-hulled hoses, as the name implies, have two hoses that significantly increase protection against water damage.

The double-walled hose is constructed in the following way:

• Inside is a pressure hose that carries the water and regulates the pressure
• the pressure hose is encased by an outer hose, which acts as a second barrier
• the space between the outer and the pressure hose is filled with a swelling agent

If the pressure hose breaks inside, even if it is just a small hairline crack, the water runs into the outer hose . The water hits the swelling agent, which expands after a drop. As soon as the swelling agent expands, the closing valve reacts and ensures that the water supply is interrupted. Thus, you immediately recognize when there is a potential danger and can replace the hose in good time.

• Cost: 25 - 50 euros

In addition, there are further developed variants that have electronic components and thus provide even more security. These are known under different names depending on the manufacturer, but have the same functionality.

Water Control System (Miele), Aquacontrol (AEG)

This system is equipped with a water level sensor that measures the water level. If the target water level is not reached within a certain period of time, the water supply is stopped and the previously run-in water is pumped out via the drain pump. In addition, there is a float switch in the bottom pan, which checks whether water is leaking from other parts of the machine.

Waterproof system (Miele), Aquasafe (AEG)

This safety mechanism is a further development of the control system. It is equipped with a double solenoid valve and a double-jacket hose. As a result, this system combines several attributes that effectively protect against water damage.

The Watercontrol and Proof systems can not be used as a spare part for machines from other manufacturers. If you have a Miele or AEG machine, you should ask the manufacturer directly whether they can be retrofitted. For this reason, prices may differ significantly. Despite the effective method of these variants, they are not without problems, because it is still an additional Aquastop hose needed because the sensors can not measure the water supply to the hose.

In addition to the component itself, you will need the following for the assembly:

• bucket
• small pipe wrench
• some big cotton towels

If you do not have enough power to pull the washing machine or dishwasher away from the wall, be sure to ask someone for help. The devices are not exactly light and can quickly lead to back pain or strains.

Tip: Some Aquastop models have an indicator on the outer container. If the system is triggered, it will discolour and you will realize that you should definitely turn the tap off.

Retrofit Aquastop

Retrofit Aquastop with dishwasher and washing machine: Instructions

After you have decided on a variant and have procured the necessary tools, you can retrofit the security system. Follow these instructions to prepare the device for the change.

• close the tap for the water supply before you do anything else
• This will prevent the hose from cracking or water leaking out of the tap when removing the hose
• pull or turn the washing machine or dishwasher off the wall
• This usually takes a little longer with built-in appliances
• The device must be pulled forward or turned until you reach the faucet and the back of the machine without any problem
• now disconnect the device from the power supply
• This is important so that water does not accidentally get into the socket
• Now make sure that you have the Aquastop, bucket and pipe wrench ready
• put the bucket directly under the faucet
• Place the towels so that you have them immediately available

Connect Aquastop

That would be the preparations completed. The next steps are to follow the aquastop.

Step 1: Take the new tube out of the packaging and untangle it to prevent knots or creases from forming. This would severely damage the hose and noticeably reduce the period of use. Aquastops are extremely sturdy and often last for years, but wrinkles cause them to break more quickly and thus buy a new specimen in a short amount of time.

Step 2: Now remove the previous water supply hose from your washing machine or dishwasher. In most cases, it is sufficient to turn the plastic closure with sufficient force. If nothing moves, use with the pipe wrench . Be careful not to break off the plastic parts. After removal, hold up this side of the hose to prevent water from running on the floor. Lead the hose end up to the bucket and put it in. There, the water can do no harm.

Step 3: Now check the connection point . If there is an old seal, remove it. If water runs out of this area, place a cloth under it.

Step 4: Proceed in the same way with the part of the hose attached to the tap. At the end, simply put the hose in the bucket and distribute towels if some more water comes out of the tap. Also remove the gasket if there is one.

Step 5: Now take the tube with Aquastop and connect it to the faucet first. The end of the tube with the stop system is recognizable by the plastic sleeve containing the closing valve. Make sure there is a gasket in the port and if not, place it first. Then screw the Aquastop onto the faucet by hand. You do not need much power for this and no pliers have to be used.

Step 6: Check again if kinks have formed or if the hose is twisted. If so, untangle it. Guide the hose so that no kinks can form and the Aquastop hose hangs relaxed downwards.

Step 7: Now connect it to the washing machine or dishwasher. To do this, turn the connector of the hose in the appropriate direction and then mount it. Again, the hose should hang at the end and not be kinked or wrapped. You also do not need pliers for the assembly because the parts can be easily turned.

Step 8: Now the Aquastop is installed and you can remove the bucket, clean up the towels and check the hose again. Then turn or slide the unit back to its original position and check once again whether there has been any accumulation of water outside the machine during this time.

In this way, you can easily retrofit your equipment with an Aquastop and thus prevent potential water damage . It's a good idea to stay close the next time you start your device to check the assembly again, just to be on the safe side.

Water Monitoring Systems

Alternative: electronic water monitoring systems

Another variant of the Aquastop are complete water monitoring systems that have electronic sensors.

These work in the following way:

• The monitoring system has a shut-off valve, which is mounted in the pipe of the water supply
• a humidity sensor is also part of the system and is attached to the floor near the unit or hose
• If there is a problem and the sensor registers humidity, a signal is sent to the shut-off valve
• At the same time, an audible signal will sound to alert you to the damage
• within a moment the shut-off valve closes the water supply

This will give you enough time to fix the problem and prevent water damage. The installation of these monitoring systems is not possible alone and requires a specialist. In addition, the systems are much more expensive than an aquastop tube. Prices are within the range of 250 to 400 euros. In addition there are the costs for the expert and the installation, which can vary greatly.