Washing machine leaks can cause major damage to your property. Whether the water damage is in your basement or laundry room and whether it is caused by a broken hose or a leaking pipe, you can be left with devastating results. This is why it is important to know which washing machine issues can cause a machine to leak and how to prevent water damage from happening.
Causes of Water Damage from Washing Machines
Here are a few causes of washing machine leaks you should be aware of so you can find water damage right when it happens. If you notice any of these issues, make sure to address them right away.
- Issues with the water supply hose:
Your washing machine hose can leak, break, or fully come off which can cause a flood. Almost half of all washing machine leaking issues are due to water supply hose issues.
- Issues with drainage:
At times the drainage pipe can get clogged, broken, or become misaligned. You can have an issue with water damage if your sewer line becomes clogged.
- Internal Leak:
The drum of your machine might get cracked or damaged because of its age or due to overloading.
How to Prevent Washing Machine Leaks
Here are some things you can do to prevent your washing machine from leaking. This will help prevent flooding in your basement or laundry room that can cause mold growth and lead to major property damage.
- Regularly check your water supply hose.
- Replace the water supply hose every few years.
- Never overload the washing machine.
- If you notice a leak near your washing machine, make sure to turn off the water main.
- Always have your washing machine installed by a professional to avoid damage to your supply hose and to ensure that the connectors are secured in a proper way.
How to Clean Up After Flooding from a Washing Machine
Even if you follow all the preventative measures mentioned above to try and prevent your washing machine from leaking, it may still happen. Flooding from washing machines happens quickly and can ruin walls, flooring, and other surrounding materials. This is why it is important to follow these steps to clean up any flooding from a washing machine quickly and efficiently. Here are the steps:
- Stop the water:
You can quickly turn off the water coming from the washing machine by turning the valves behind it. However, in some cases, you may need to stop the water by turning off the water main to the house.
- Unplug your washing machine:
Make sure to shut off your washing machine by unplugging it from the wall. This may help stop the water from coming out. You should never just shut off the machine as that may cause further flooding.
- Clean up the water as much as you can:
Using a mop and towels, make sure to clean up as much excess water as you can. If the water is deep, make sure to use a pump and try to drain the water outside. You can also use a wet-dry vacuum which will help take water off the walls and carpeting. Once all the standing water is removed, you can rent high-volume drying fans and large dehumidifiers to help dry your house quickly, which will help prevent mold from growing.
- Throw away any items that are damaged:
If there are items in your home that have sustained unrepairable damage, you should get rid of them. Whether it is furniture, cabinets, or flooring, make sure to remove these materials from your home or business to prevent mold growth.
- Empty out your washing machine:
If you had clothes in your washing machine when the flooding happened, make sure to take them out, rinse them well, and let them dry out in the sun. Any leftover water in the washing machine should be removed by using a bucket or a wet-dry vacuum. You can easily dump any collected water outside.
- Make sure to disinfect and deodorize:
Since your washing machine may have mold or bacteria, you may need to disinfect your home after a flood using bleach. You should open your windows to air out any odors that may be lingering.
- Fix anything that needs to be repaired after the flood:
Take note of all the visible damage and make sure to repair it right away. Look out for hidden damage such as bad odors or musty smells in your home which may indicate water damage to flooring or sheetrock.
Call the Experts for Water Damage Restoration
If the cleaning up of water after a washing machine leak is something you are unable to do, make sure to call the professionals. You should call in a professional company to repair your washer and a water damage restoration company to clean, dry, and disinfect your basement.
Have you had a flood in your basement or laundry room due to a leaky washing machine?
ServiceMaster by Restoration Contractors can help! We provide complete water damage restoration services in which we will dry, clean, and disinfect your flooded basement right away.
For all your water damage restoration needs, make sure to call us at (260) 420-1502.
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