Help! Rainwater and washing machine

**jellybean88** · March 5th, 2014, 08:20 PM

We've just moved into a new place and we have a front loading Samsun washing machine with only 1 hose that normally goes to cold water tap but the cold water rap in this house is rainwater and so it seems there's not enough pressure for the washing machine and it keeps coming up with an error
It works fine with the hot water tap and there's enough pressure because it's normal water but I don't want to wash our clothes in hot water

Any ideas ???
I'll try ring the samsung company tomorrow to see if they have any ideas or is it more if a real estate issue??

**Miss.September** · March 6th, 2014, 05:20 AM

Is there a pump for the cold water? We're 100% rainwater here and we have an electric pump on the tank so we have pressure. Our old house had rainwater for the toilets and there was a pump there too. I'd check to see if there is a pump, and then see if it's switched on and if the filter is clean. I have no other ideas otherwise, sorry!

**Trillian** · March 6th, 2014, 05:50 AM

Yeah we have a pressure pump here for our water and don't have a problem with our machine (though it is a top loader) but I can see how gravity fed water would be a problem. We were on a gravity feed at our previous farm and it took forever because the flow wasn't strong enough. Also one thing I find with the washing machine is that even though we have pressurised water flow, there are little bits of grit that get stuck in the mesh at the end of the water hose on the washing machine and if it gets too blocked, then it restricts the flow. So maybe take off your hose where it connects to the machine and see if it just needs cleaning out.

**jellybean88** · March 6th, 2014, 05:55 AM

I'll have a look for a pump
The hose shouldn't be blocked because it works from the hot water tap fine

**Trillian** · March 6th, 2014, 08:55 AM

I'd still check the hose just to rule it out. Our cold water one is always the one that gets blocked the most because that water is coming straight from the tank, but with the hot water, it goes to the hot water system first so the water has time to settle any sediment etc.

**jellybean88** · March 6th, 2014, 09:12 AM

There's only one hose not 2 but it's clear I checked before I think the pump is on now?? The on off isn't very clear which way is on and off but the machine is doing a load now with rainwater fingers x

**jellybean88** · March 6th, 2014, 09:42 AM

Ok scratch that pump being turned on hasn't helped

**~clover~** · March 6th, 2014, 09:57 AM

Maybe there's a blockage in the cold water pipe/tap.

**DianaG** · March 6th, 2014, 11:36 AM

Have you checked the water pressure by just running the water down the sink for a minute? That should give you a good indication if the water pressure is ok or not. Make sure the pump is on because you will need it. A friend of ours uses rainwater and well water for everything no problems.

**Miss.September** · March 6th, 2014, 11:48 AM

It'll depend on the pump too. Ours needs continual TLC. If we don't clean the filters at the tank (usually with warm water and a toothbrush) at least once every couple of months, our water pressure is next to nothing. Sometimes sticks and leaves block the water outlet too so water can't even get to the pump. If it hasn't been used for a while, it might be a bit clogged up. After a heavy rainfall, ours needs a clean (even with clean gutters). But this is also a pump that is used every hour of every day. Our old pump for the toilets wasn't touched in six years and had no issues but it wasn't used for everything.

Is this your house or are you renting? If it's your own place, it might be worth taking the pump to someone who works with them to see if it's still functioning correctly.