Washing Machine Water Damage
Date
Friday, September 21, 2018
Date
Friday, September 21, 2018
Perhaps because washing machines are a core appliance in most homes, apartments, and condos, we see washing machine water damage quite often. Last week, we saw this familiar appliance become a major source of destruction for a homeowner in Palm Beach Gardens. A malfunctioning washing machine supply line caused a major a top down water loss, and lots of damage.
This week, a homeowner in Port St. Lucie, Florida experienced washing machine water damage, again citing a faulty supply line as the culprit. Unfortunately, the entire house was affected, and the laminate floors had to be removed from the living room, dining room, and hallway. Because of the water that came from the washing machine’s drain line, the carpet from the guest bedroom also had to be removed. Once the necessary contents were taken out of the home, over 20 air movers and several dehumidifiers were deployed to fully dry the structure.
Considering the commonality of the washing machine water damage above, it may be helpful to consider the following few simple things property owners can do to hopefully avoid this type of disaster:
• Do not operate the washing machine while the home is unoccupied.
• Consider installing a lever-type valve that is easy to turn off between machine uses.
• Ensure that the connection to the valve is secure, but avoid over-tightening. Hand tighten first, then, tighten an additional 2/3 of a turn using pliers.
• Leave a 3 to 4 inch gap between the back of the washing machine and the wall to avoid kinking the hose near the valve connection.
• Inspect the water supply line hoses every 5- 6 months. Check the hoses for cracks, kinks or blisters, which are most commonly found near the hose connection.
• Washing machine manufacturers recommend replacing washing machine hoses every 5 years.
• Consider using reinforced braided stainless steel hoses, which are more likely to remain secure and hold up over time.
We hope that by applying some of the above tips, you are able to avoid washing machine water damage. But if, like the homeowners in Palm Beach Gardens and Port St. Lucie, you find yourself in an emergency water situation because of washing machine water damage, call the restoration experts at Joe Taylor Restoration right away.
DELRAY BEACH