Check your Washing Machine Hoses Frequently

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Stainless Steel Washing Machine Hose

What would you guess is the number one cause of water damage to a home? Did you think tornadoes, rainstorms or hurricanes?  It’s hard to believe, but it’s broken washing machine hoses.

Left unnoticed a broken washing machine hose can quickly flood a home. Check your hoses periodically. If there are any signs of bulging or leakage, replace the hoses. Make sure your washing machine has heavy, reinforced hoses. The better quality hoses are reinforced with braided metal on the outside or inside.

Another option is to turn off the water to the washing machine when it is not in use. It may not be practical if your laundry has typical plumbing valves, but it’s straightforward if you install a special valve that allows you to turn off hot and cold with a flip of a lever.

A ruptured washing machine hose is the most frequent cause of household water damage originating in the laundry room. According to a spokesman for a major homeowner’s insurance company, a broken cold or hot washing machine hose can inundate the home with up to 500 gallons of water per hour. Imagine bringing an outdoor garden hose inside the house, turning it on full force and just letting it run. You get the picture.

If you are going out of town, turn off your water supply to prevent water damage while you are not at home. SERVPRO is here to help if you should ever need us.