How to properly install a washing machine drain hose. Correct connection of the drain of the washing machine. Universal combined option

If you understand all the details with how to properly connect the washing machine, this operation will not be difficult to do with your own hands. In the article we will describe the process of connecting the drain hose of the washing machine to the sewer.

The issue of connecting the washing machine to the sewerage and water supply should be approached as responsibly as possible. Only in this case the unit will work without errors and problems. objectively simple. All home masters cope with a similar task without any difficulty. But many craftsmen organize the drain of the unit into the sewer system incorrectly. The result is unpleasant odors in the room where the machine is installed, as well as clogging it with water from other plumbing fixtures.

Drain connection

1. By installing a special siphon.
2. Installing the hose directly into the pipe of the sewer system.
3. By throwing a hose over the edge of a washbasin or bathtub.

The third technique is very simple. To implement it, you do not need to mess with pipes, purchase and install a siphon. All work takes a matter of minutes - throw the hose into the sink (bathtub), fix it with a plastic hook (it comes with all washing units) and watch how dirty water goes into the sewer system after washing. It would seem - much easier? But this simplicity is fraught with many problems. Firstly, the water from the machine will constantly pollute the washbasin or bath. After two or three washes, you will be horrified by the appearance of sanitary fixtures. Unattractive streaks will appear on their acrylic or enameled snow-white surface.

Just imagine how you will wash yourself over such a sink or take a bath, at the bottom of which there are traces of dirty water. Secondly, the hook-lock does not guarantee one hundred percent high-quality hose attachment. The latter can fly off the edge of the washbasin or bath at any time. This is fraught with flooding of your bathroom, as well as the premises of neighbors living on the floor below you. The drain hose, believe me, goes astray very often. It flies when the drain pump is turned on in the washing machine, during the spin cycle of the laundry (due to vibrations). In fact, you will have to sit near the unit for the entire wash cycle and make sure that the hose does not go astray. What then is the essence of the automatic machine, if you need to be near it all the time?

For these reasons, experts recommend (and strongly) to equip the drain with a siphon. Then you don’t have to worry about flooding your neighbors, as well as about the penetration of foreign odors from the sewer system into the room where the automatic machine is located.

The siphon is an elementary device. It is inexpensive, sold in any store that offers plumbing products. The siphon is usually mounted under the washbasin in the bathroom or under the sink for washing dishes if the washing machine is installed in the kitchen. The siphon must be mounted as high as possible. Setting it too low increases the risk of water backflow.

Connecting a washing machine

1. Install a siphon. The device is installed strictly vertically. It is forbidden to place it horizontally due to the increased risk of leakage.
2. Connect a drain hose to the installed siphon. The hose must first be raised by 0.6–0.8 m, fastened to the back of the washing unit (almost all machines have a special hook for this purpose) and only then lowered to the sewer drain.
3. Connect the hose to the siphon fitting. It is optimal to perform this operation through a special cuff. It ensures complete tightness of the connection. If there is no cuff, you will first have to connect the adapter, pull it off with a metal clamp, and then connect the hose to this intermediate device.

Check all connections for tightness. Job done, drain done! Recently, special siphons have become widespread. They can be mounted on a wall surface. Such new devices are brought out with one side, and the other is connected to the sewer. A water outlet (cold) is mounted next to the siphon. This is done so that the process of connecting the washer is carried out as quickly and conveniently as possible. With such a plumbing "infrastructure", a new washing unit is connected to the sewer and to literally in 5 minutes.

There is an easier way to connect the drain hose to the water drainage system. It can also be done on your own. This technique involves inserting a hose directly into the sewer pipe, into which a special tee is pre-mounted.

Connected and ready to use washing machine

1. Put a tee in the sewer system.
2. Bend the hose in the form of the Latin letter S (thereby you cut off the unit from the sewer when the washer pump is turned off).
3. Insert the hose into the tee and carefully seal the resulting connection.

All. Work completed. Your washing machine is connected to the sewer system.

Correct installation of the drain hose of the washing machine is the key to its successful operation. It is necessary to do this so that the waste water flows freely into the sewer pipe. It is not difficult to perform this work, it is quite possible to do without inviting a specialist. How exactly to select components and assemble them into one system - we will tell in this article.

Connection methods

There are several methods for connecting the washer drain to the sewer. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here are the ways:

• Insertion into the sewer.
• Descent of water through a nozzle with a tap, which is located above the siphon.
• The direction of the waste of washing through a siphon with a branch.
• Descent of waste water over the edge of the toilet bowl, tub or sink.

Important! The location of the washing unit plays a decisive role in choosing the method of arranging the drain. Most often it is in the bathroom or in the kitchen. In the kitchen, the drain is directed through a siphon or tie-in, no matter how far the communications are located. To equip the drain over the edge of the sink is unacceptable for sanitary reasons.

In the bathroom, there are much more options:

• Next to the bath - over the edge of the bath.
• Next to a toilet or sink. Options are available through a siphon or tie-in. The most inexpensive way is over the edge of the toilet bowl or sink.
• Instead of a washbasin - through a tie-in or siphon.

In all the above cases, there is a possibility for an optimal connection of the drain.

Tool, consumables

The choice of tool largely depends on the material of manufacture of sewer pipes. The classic set of tools is as follows:

• Wrenches, wrench.
• Screwdriver, drill.
• Pipe cutter - when working with a metal-plastic pipe.

The list of consumables depends on which drain method you have chosen. It usually includes:

• Hose. Its length depends on how far the communications are from the washer.
• Ball valve.
• Seals.
• To connect over the edge of the bath - self-tapping screws.
• Tee.
• The siphon equipped with a branch pipe.
• Liquid rubber, silicone-based sealant.

In the sink, toilet or bath

When organizing a drain in this way, a curved drain hose is hung on the edge of a sink, toilet bowl or bathtub, and after washing is returned to its original place. The disadvantage of this method is that the drain can accidentally break, then the flood cannot be avoided.

Important! This method of organizing the drain is considered the most economical and simple. The set of tools and consumables here is the most minimal, since the washing unit is equipped with almost everything you need for work.

The procedure for organizing the drain is extremely simple:

1. Drill a hole above the bath for the plug so that the end of the mounted hose is in the bath.
2. Screw a self-tapping screw into the resulting hole.
3. Disconnect the corrugated hose with a plastic bracket and a mounting hole from the rear wall of the washer.
4. Hang the hose on the screw.

Important! This fastening allows the hose to hold well, without coming off or shifting from the vibration of the washer or from careless movements.

The method also has quite significant disadvantages:

• Do not bathe in the bath while washing.
• Waste water after washing contributes to the pollution of the bathtub or sink, and also destroys the coating.
• Cleaning the tub after washing is required.

Through the tee

In this case, a special nozzle equipped with a tap is mounted under the sink. The procedure for this is as follows:

1. Disconnect the drain pipe that comes from the sink.
2. Install the tee as high as possible (well, if under the very opening of the sink). This is to prevent backflow of water.
3. Return the equipment to its place.
4. Connect the nozzle to the extension hose.

Important! In order to prevent an unpleasant smell from appearing in the tank of the washing unit, twist the hose near the connection point in the form of the letter S, while not obstructing the free movement of water. To prevent damage to the connections, position and secure the tubes so that they do not interfere with free movement.

Siphon with non-return valve

If you properly mount such a system and find out how it is produced, you can forget about such a problem as the appearance of an extraneous odor. And the built-in non-return valve creates an obstacle for the reverse penetration of waste water.

Connection nuances are as follows:

• The tee is replaced with a new siphon. A hose is put on the outlet of the tee.
• The connection to the pipe is fixed with a sealing sleeve - it can be included. If not, it is purchased separately.
• The insertion site is treated with a sealing compound. This is an additional protection against sewer odors.

The inlet hose is the product on which your peace of mind and the safety of repairs in the apartment of the neighbors below depend. The fact is that the inlet hose sold with the washing machine does not always have the right length. It may have a poorly compressed compression sleeve, a reinforcing film of polyester threads may have breaks. The upper layers of low-quality PVC can burst at any time and provoke a spill of water. In this regard, the inlet hose for the washing machine must meet a number of stringent requirements so as not to let the consumer down.

Types of inlet hoses

The inlet hose for the washing machine is PVC tube, reinforced with a nylon braid with nuts and fittings, one side of which is connected to the water supply system of a private house or apartment, and the other to a washing machine. Nuts and fittings are made of plastic and must be tightened by hand or they may crack. At the junction of the fitting with the pipe, a high-quality inlet hose has pressed metal sleeves. Each product is marked with numbers indicating the working pressure and temperature. Standard inlet hose withstands pressure at 4 Bars. To prevent the hose from expanding under the pressure of water, its base is wrapped with several layers of reinforced threads. Inlet hoses for washing machines are:

• with a fixed length of 1−5 m;
• in the bay (length up to 10 m);
• telescopic hoses, which due to the corrugated wave, the hose increases in length;
• hoses with the Aqua-stop system that protect the washing machine from leaks;

About the system Aqua stop must be told separately. The fact is that during the supply of water to the washing machine, a lot of pressure acts on the hose, so it may not withstand and burst, flooding the neighbors and damaging the property in the apartment. Aqua system - stop will not allow it. It is a double inlet hose that can withstand pressure up to 70 bar, with a knob filled with a special powder or equipped with a solenoid valve.

If the hose suddenly bursts, water will begin to flow into the knob. The powder expands, thereby blocking the flow of water from the tap. Or the valve works and shuts off the flow of water. Valve control sensors are securely hidden under the outer sheath of the flexible hose. The sheath envelops the entire hose up to its end inside the washing machine. Even if the hose breaks at the very exit, the water will still not flow out, but will be collected in a special tray located at the bottom of the washing machine. The tray is equipped with a sensitive float that, when water appears, rises and closes the contacts of the microswitch. In addition, the valve is activated when the working tank is full, the pipeline of the machine is damaged, or foam climbs due to an overdose of washing powder. outside the working tank out.

In some models, the Aqua-stop system is equipped with emergency pump, which begins to pump out water in case of failure of the emergency valve. It is worth saying that the inlet hose with the Aqua-stop system operates only once in the event of an accident. Once the system has been triggered, the hose cannot be reused and must be disposed of. However, maybe this case will help you. avoid flood and great material damage yourself and your neighbors. The inlet hose with the Aqua-stop system is sold in the same department as household appliances. Every self-respecting brand produces for its washing machines, in addition to conventional hoses, hoses with the Aqua-stop system. With such a hose, you can not be afraid that flooding will occur in your absence.

Specifications for inlet hoses

How to connect the inlet hose to the washing machine?

With regard to the length of the inlet hose, there is only one limitation: that the total total length from the hose to the drain did not exceed 15 meters. This means that the maximum length of the inlet hose must not exceed 3 m. Otherwise, the load on the drain pump will be too great and it may break. The inlet hose has a standard ¾ inch thread and connects to a stopcock. An eyeliner to plastic water pipes cuts easily and simply. In new houses and during major repairs, a place for installing a faucet for a washing machine is designed in advance.

If the house has not been overhauled, and the water pipes are not designed to connect the washing machine, then in this case the inlet hose is installed in front of the bath faucet or screwed onto the float valve of the drain tank. For this:

• unscrew the flexible water supply hose from the float valve;
• wind on the inlet-faucet;
• a flexible hose is attached to it.

To seal on the thread of the outlet of the float valve, wind FUM tape. If the inlet hose is attached to the faucet, the faucet itself is removed, and a tap for connecting to the washing machine is screwed onto the eccentric with cold water, and a coupling is screwed onto the eccentric with hot water. On top of this, the mixer itself is installed. Of course, this is not the best option, but you never know, it will also come in handy. There are even special taps for connection to float valves toilet bowls, as well as wall-mounted faucets.

The drain hose, as well as the inlet hose, are included in the kit. It serves to drain the water used during washing into the sewer drain. However, the length of the hose offered for the washing machine does not always allow you to reach the drain point, so consumers demand drain hoses no less than inlet hoses. They have branch pipes at both ends, and such a hose can be stretched in length. Branch pipes provide hermetic connection at the junctions. Drain hoses do not have technical characteristics and are designed only for the natural pressure of the drained water. The material for their manufacture is rubber, which, under the influence of hot water and detergents, chemicals and bleaches, cracks and bursts, despite the reinforcement with a wire spiral.

How to connect the drain hose?

Using a plastic guide, the drain hose is attached to the edge of an acrylic bathtub or sink. You can use a siphon from the washbasin as a drain, or buy special double siphon with an additional outlet for the drain hose of the washing machine. If you do not have enough hose length to drain the water, then this situation is easy to fix. It is necessary to purchase a plastic extension cord, another drain hose and two clamps. The hose coming out of the washing machine is inserted into the plastic extension and the second hose is inserted on the other side of the extension. Both hoses are secured with clamps. Everything, an elongated hose can be connected to the sewer.

Replacing the drain hose is easier than replacing the inlet hose. This is due to the fact that in order to get to the base of the drain hose, you need to disassemble the washing machine a little and climb inside it. Some brands of washing machines have a drain hose attached to the top of the cabinet, while others have a drain hose attached to the bottom. To find out what the connection is in your washing machine, you need to remove the cover of the washing machine. Although some brands, such as AEG, Siemens and Bosch, need put away front of the body .

However, let's focus on replacing the drain hose through the back of the case, as is done with the brands Indesit, Ariston, LG, Candy, Ardo, Beko, Samsung, Whirpool. For these models, the drain hose is located at the bottom of the rear case cover. After removing the panel (this is done easily):

The replacement of the drain hose is completely different in models where the hose is located along the front panel.

We get dispenser container. Then we remove the plinth panel, loosen the clamp that fixes the door cuff, and unfasten the cuff from the door wall. Then the drain pump filter is removed (you also need to prepare a rag and a bucket beforehand). After the residual water flows out, remove front end panels. For this, screws are twisted with a screwdriver. The bottom of the wall of the panel must be moved towards itself until a gap of 5 cm is formed. We put our hand in there and look for hatch blocking device. From it we detach the connector with wires. After that, pull the panel towards you and remove it.

Before us opened access to the drain hose. The fixing elements are removed from it, and the hose is disconnected from the pump. Note the location of the hose and fittings. Disconnect and remove the hose. We connect a new hose, fix it and assemble the machine, after checking the tightness of the hose connection to the pump.

Top-loading washing machines have a drain hose on the side. To replace it, you need to do all the steps that were described in previous cases, only the side panel is removed, not the back or front panel.

Drain hoses for washing machines

Video of connecting hoses to a washing machine

If you decide to connect the washing machine yourself, not trusting such work to the master in order to save money, then find out all the nuances before doing this. In this case, you will be fully equipped, so to speak, prepare everything you need at once and do the job efficiently. How to drain the washing machine correctly, what methods exist, this will be discussed further.

Connection methods, which one to choose?

There are three ways to organize the drain of waste water from the washing machine.

• The first method involves draining water into plumbing - the easiest option to perform. Even a novice who connects the machine for the first time can make such a drain.
• The second method involves connecting to the drain through a siphon. This method is considered the most optimal, it is used most often.
• The third way is to connect the drain hose to the sewer directly. This option is difficult to organize; connecting the drain in this way is most often trusted by the master.

In addition to the complexity of the connection, each of the options has its pros and cons. So, for example, the withdrawal of water to plumbing is the most unreliable and unaesthetic. The drain hose attachment through the bathtub or toilet can come loose and water will flood the bathroom. In addition, you thus pollute the bath, which every time you have to clean to a shine to wash. There may be an unpleasant odor in the room while draining. But when connected through a siphon, on the contrary, you will be protected from such odors.

Think carefully before choosing one or another connection method, it is better to spend time and effort right away than to redo everything later and pay for damage to your neighbors.

The “overboard” method of draining water is only suitable when you install a washing machine in a country house or in a private house where there is no sewage system. In this case, you throw the hose into a special tank, the water from which you pour out after each wash cycle.

What do you need to work

In preparation for the work, check the length of the standard hoses, whether they are enough for your chosen method of organizing the drain. In addition, they may be required. Their size and design will depend on the material from which the pipes and drains in your apartment are made. So, in addition to the drain hose that comes with the kit, you may need:

• sealing rubber;
• collar;
• fitting;
• check valve;
• siphon;
• tee;
• a set of keys;
• angle grinder for cutting pipes when connected directly to the sewer.

We connect through a siphon

When installing a washing machine in a kitchen, the preferred way to drain is to connect a drain hose to the sink siphon. To do this, you need to provide a place for the car near the sink. If the already installed siphon does not have an additional outlet for the washing machine, then you can completely replace the siphon with a new one or add a splitter. Even better, if you purchase a special siphon with a branch and a check valve.

The non-return valve will prevent the flow of waste water back into the machine, as well as the appearance of unpleasant odors.

The siphon is installed as high as possible to the sink, at a height of at least 40 cm from the floor level. And the drain hose coming from the machine is fixed at a height of 70 cm from the floor on the machine body with a special holder. Thus, the hose first rises and then falls back into the drain.

The water drain hose is connected to the siphon through a special pipe, which is put on the siphon branch and secured with a clamp. A similar connection is shown in the photo below.

Connection without siphon

Connecting to the sewer without a siphon, directly into the sewer, will require special plumbing skills. Therefore, if you doubt your abilities, then you should contact the master. Moreover, the machine will not be repaired under warranty if the connection rules are violated. The repair will be entirely at your expense.

What is needed in order to connect the drain directly? It is necessary to make a tie-in in the sewer pipe for a branch under the drain hose. It is good if the sewer pipe is plastic, but problems can arise with cast-iron pipes. After the branch is installed, you need to insert the drain hose into this branch through the o-ring. The most important thing is to maintain the height of the connection. The hose is inserted into the sewer at a height of at least 60 cm, while it should not touch the water. This will keep odors out.

Important! The height of the hose connection affects the load on the drain pump. Therefore, follow the recommended value.

Draining the washing machine into the sewer is good when the sink with a siphon is located at a distance of more than two meters from the washing machine. A long hose in such a situation is not an option, since this is an additional load on the pump.

Thus, subject to the instructions and recommendations specified in the passport for your washing machine, you can connect the machine to the drain yourself. After connecting, be sure to check the operation of the washing machine in idle mode, check the tightness of all connections.

How to connect the drain hose of the washing machine to the sewer? Everything seems to be simple, you take it and connect it, but it wasn’t there. Improper installation of the washing machine drain hose can lead to a number of problems in the near future. Even when carrying out such a simple action, one cannot neglect the simple rules for connecting a washing machine, which we will talk about today, despite the fact that there are not so few ways to do this.

How to connect?

You can connect to the sewer, as well as organize the discharge of waste water from the washing machine in different ways. Connection is organized depending on a number of factors:

• on how close the sewer drain is to the body of the washing machine;
• is there a connection point at all within reach;
• at what height and at what angle relative to the washer body this point is located;
• what other equipment will have to be connected to the sewer along with a washing machine, etc.

The angle where the drain hose is placed relative to the location of the washing machine is very important to consider. If the hose is not positioned correctly, a “siphon effect” will occur, the water from the sewer pipe will go back into the bowels of the washer.

Based on the above factors, there are three main ways to organize a wastewater drain for a household helper. Firstly, you can not organize a drain at all if you throw a drain hose into a nearby plumbing fixture, such as a bathroom, sink, or even a toilet.

Secondly, the washing machine can be connected to the side outlet of the siphon. This outlet is ideal for screwing a drain hose to it and forget about the problem once and for all. And thirdly, the drain hose of the washer can be fixed with a clamp by first putting such a hose into the branch of the sewer pipe - cheap and cheerful, and most importantly, you don’t need to buy a special siphon with a drain under the sink. We will talk in more detail about how to implement these three methods of draining water a little later, but now we will focus on the important nuances that can affect the quality of such a drain.

What else matters?

Why are we talking about the quality of the drain, and what difference does it make what kind of connection to the sewer we chose, the main thing is to do everything relatively correctly, and then it doesn’t matter. This is the opinion of many people who independently undertake to connect the automatic washer to the water supply and sewerage, and thereby, involuntarily, shorten the life of their “home assistant”. What, specifically, are we talking about?

Let's explain with a specific example. We connect two absolutely identical washing machines to the sewer. The first machine is not far away, at a distance of 1 m from the connection point, we connect it with the supplied 1.5 m drain hose in compliance with all the rules. The second machine is located at a distance of 2.4 meters from the connection point to the sewer pipe or siphon, we connect it using an additionally purchased drain hose 3 m long.

Both washers have been in operation for 7 years. The first washing machine worked this time without breakdowns, the drain pump was changed on the second one 2 times: the first pump broke after 4.5 years of operation, the second in the seventh year of operation. "Debriefing" revealed by many the expected, but still not uninteresting pattern. The longer the drain hose of the “home helper”, the more often the pump will break down, because when working, it will experience loads that exceed the calculated ones.

Place the washer as close as possible to the point of its connection to the sewer.

Also of great importance is how the washing machine is installed on a horizontal surface, since this also affects the life of the pump, motor, as well as the working connections of hoses and pipes, as well as electrical wiring. It is very important here that the washer not only be leveled, but also stand on a flat, solid surface that will not bend or loosen over time from constant vibration.

Various modern additions are also important, which, on the one hand, make it easier to connect the washer to the sewer, and on the other hand, additionally protect it from certain risks, primarily the “siphon effect”. When we mention this, we mean drain hoses with a non-return valve. Such a valve is specially designed so that the sewage from the sewer does not under any circumstances fall back into the washer, while the drain will be completely free. You can read about this device in the article.

Consumables and tools

Before installing the washing machine, including connecting it to the sewer, it is necessary to acquire all the tools and materials that will be required for this work, so that later you do not have to take breaks to run to the store for a clamp or jumper. So let's start with the tools.

• Large and small wrench.
• Screwdrivers (flat and Phillips).
• Device for cutting plastic pipes.
• Pliers.
• Sharp knife.
• Roulette.
• Building level.

The set of tools is poor. It is immediately clear that the entire list can be easily found in any pantry. If you do not have a tool for cutting plastic pipes, you can use a regular hacksaw instead. Now let's deal with the materials.

1. Drain hose of the desired diameter and length.
2. Plastic sewer pipe and tee for it.
3. Jumpers and clamps.
4. Check valve.
5. Automotive or plumbing sealant.
6. Winding up.
7. Sealing rings and gaskets.

Before purchasing small consumables, such as o-rings and gaskets, calculate how many will be needed.

Without connection

Now let's talk directly about how to properly connect our washing machine to the sewer. And, we will start with the simplest option for organizing a drain, which, paradoxically, does not involve connecting the washer to the sewer pipe. Let's talk about it.

This method is good for lazy people, because its implementation does not require a lot of materials and tools. And yes, it will take a minimum of time. However, certain conditions must be met.

• Near the body of the washing machine, at a suitable height, there should be a sink, a bathtub, a shower cabin with sufficiently high sides, a toilet or trouble.
• It should be possible to secure the drain hose. Why fix it? And then, so that it does not accidentally jump out of the plumbing element when water under pressure rushes from the washing machine tank through the hose into the drain of the sink, bathroom, etc.
• People using plumbing should not be squeamish, because they will have to endure some inconvenience that will appear in connection with such an organization of draining water from the washer tank.

To organize a drain in this way, you need to lower the hose of the machine into a bath, sink, toilet, etc. not in tension. Provide an S-bend in the hose. Fix it to the wall of the plumbing element so that it does not hang freely, and then test it. If the drain is normal, you can leave everything as it is, the job is over.

Through the siphon

Installation of the connection in this way is special in that we connect the drain hose of the washer not to the sewer pipe or its branch, but to another plumbing element - the sink siphon. In modern siphons, manufacturers provide a special outlet for connecting a washing machine, which we should use.

There are siphons with two outlets to simultaneously connect a washing machine and a dishwasher.

The essence of connecting the washer through a siphon is as follows. We install the siphon and check how the water is drained through the drain hole of the sink, see that there are no leaks. The siphon can be easily installed by hand without any tools. If you have problems with this, you can read the article. Next, we connect the drain hose to the side outlet of the siphon, not forgetting to seal the joint. The hose must be bent with the letter “S”, if this is not done, the very first wash will end with the machine hanging in the middle.

Directly into the sewer

You can also connect the washing machine to a nearby sewer outlet. To do this, such a withdrawal must be organized. We do the following.

1. We purchase a tee for a sewer pipe.
2. Using a pipe cutting tool, cut the plastic sewer pipe.
3. We install the tee, seal the junction.

Well, the pipe outlet is organized. In this case, it is very important that the outlet is located at a height of at least 40 cm from the floor level. We insert the end of the drain hose into the pipe outlet and seal the connection. We strengthen the connections with an additional clamp so that the pipe does not accidentally jump out from the pressure and flood the entire floor. We bend the hose with the letter "S" and fix it so that it does not hang out.

In conclusion, we note that it is really easy to connect the washer to the sewer if you follow the simplest instructions that have long been formulated by experts. You can do it too. Read this article and get to work, good luck!