Old or Damaged Washer Hoses Can Flood Your Home

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Avoid a leaking or burst washing machine hose—and the water damage that follows—by purchasing good quality hoses and checking them regularly.

A surprisingly simple component of your plumbing for your washing machine—the washer hose—is among the greatest culprits when it comes to leaks, floods and the resulting water damage. You probably don’t think about your washer hoses very often, especially when they are functioning smoothly without any problems. But you really should, because when they go bad, you have real problems on your hands—a messy and expensive cleanup of sudden water damage—and it’s so easy to prevent those problems.

Why Does a Washer Hose Leak or Burst?

The three main causes of a leaking or burst hose are:

• Poor installation: the hose was not attached properly
• Defective hose: as with any manufactured product, some hoses are sold with flaws
• Old age: if a washer hose is more than 5 years old, replace it, because eventually the hose will grow brittle and weaken

How to Prevent Water Damage from a Leaking or Burst Washer Hose

Washer hose safety starts with the quality of the hose itself. When you are buying new hoses or replacing old ones, choose the best hoses. And when you buy a new hose, write the date you installed it on a tag or on the hose itself, so you can replace it after 5 years.

• Rubber or stainless steel: hands down, buy hoses that are flexible plastic sheathed with stainless steel mesh. While no hose is burst-proof, these hoses are more durable than rubber ones and can better withstand twisting, cutting or compressing. Spend a little more upfront and you’ll have a superior hose that will last longer
• Length of hose: because you’ll need to move your washer out to install and check your hoses, don’t buy anything shorter than 5 feet (60 inches)

Once you have quality hoses installed on your washer, remember to check them a couple of times a year. This should only take you a few minutes, but it will pay off in avoiding a burst or leaking hose. Here’s what to look for:

• Signs of moisture: this is an indication of impending trouble. You may need to tighten the connections or you may need to replace the hoses
• Signs of wear: if you see cracks, bulges or kinks in a hose, don’t delay—it’s time to replace it
• Loose connections: check the connections at both ends of the hoses and tighten if necessary

Adopt This One Good Habit

Finally, a simple way to prevent most leaks from your washing machine hoses is to turn off the water supply when the machine is not in use—and especially when you’re leaving your home for a vacation.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

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