Having washing machines (Clothes or Dishes) in your home is almost a must for most families in 2019. Rarely do you see a home without one and there is nothing wrong with that. As is with any other technology, they fail, sometimes because of human at some point during its life cycle and sometimes it just happens. The worst part is that your washing machine will rarely display any symptoms of an impending problem. The problem is not the washing machine but what it is hiding. Insurance company data reveals that over half of water damage claims are traced back to one item, a filling supply hose resting behind your washing machine.
With the several types of issues that could cause this problem, the most common is when the hose gets pinched during the installation. Even being pinched, it can work for years before starting to show problems. Sometimes problems occur during the replacement process when hairline cracking is possible if the part is not handled correctly. We’ve even seen where a newly purchased hose is faulty because it has sat on a shelf for years and has deteriorated.
Hoses for washing machines are high-flow, meaning they can output more than 600 gallons of water in an hour. As the hose ages, its ability to withstand those pressures erodes. The hoses itself may be a cheap item to replace (normally sold in pairs for an average of $30-$40), the problems that it can cause from outputting that much water can cause major damage to surrounding appliances or the house/building itself.
Making the simple task to check the supply hose behind your washing machine can take a few minutes but doing so can save you a lot of heartache. Checking the washing machine thoroughly at least twice a year can protect your home.
Washing machines are dangerous because they have three hoses leading out the back of them. One for hot water, one for cold water and one for draining the water. Washing machine hose failure is one of the top ten leading causes of residential water losses. Replace all three washing machine hoses every 3 to 5 years. The tubes wear out easily, but it’s not always visible. If you replace them regularly, even when they still look fine, you have a better shot at preventing failure. If you have a washing machine in your home, it’s vital that you know how to avoid water damage. Some hose failures come from the inside rather than the outside.
Any washing machine water incident can be costly. However, if it occurs after you’ve started the machine and then left the house—or while you’re fast asleep in another room—that event can be truly catastrophic due to the volume of water released. And when that does happen, your friends at Blue River Restoration will be there to help you and your home get back to normal.
