Water damage can be devastating in the unfortunate event that it does occur. Water is the natural enemy of a wide variety of different things in your home – from wood floors to carpeting to appliances and everything in between. Even a “small” water damage issue can quickly equate to thousands of dollars in costly repairs when everything is said and done. When it comes to preventing water damage, one of the biggest sources that you need to watch out for is undoubtedly your washing machine. By keeping just a few key tips and tricks in mind, you can both identify small problems before they become big ones and keep even those small problems from rearing their ugly heads altogether.
Replace Your Washing Machine When Necessary
The first thing you should know about preventing water damage from your washing machine is that you should always replace that washing machine every five to seven years. When people spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on an appliance, they generally do so hoping that they will last as long as possible. When you begin to push the limits of that washing machine outside that five to seven year window, however, you are essentially placing a bet that nothing too bad will happen. The parts inside the washing machine begin to wear down, plumbing can become an issue and you could face other problems that would result in water leakage and eventual damage. It’s better to pay to replace your washing machine with this frequency than it is to risk a potentially limitless amount of water damage.
Pay Attention To Your Washing Machine
Another great way to prevent water damage from your washing machine is to make sure that you are paying close attention to the floats on the inside of the unit. The floats on the inside of washing machines will begin to fail over time, which can cause the machine to overflow during a routine cycle. Think about how much water is funneled into a washing machine during a regular cycle. Now, think about the damage that amount of water would do if it overflowed from the machine and got into the rest of the room. This is just one of the situations why making sure that the floats are functioning properly is always important.
Another important step to take involves making sure that the drain line is securely hooked up. This is especially true if you move your washing machine on a regular basis. The drain line can become loose, get bumped out or more and leak a huge amount of water into the room.
Avoid Frequent Moves
On that topic, you should avoid moving the machine in and out in general because one or more supply lines can become loose or damaged, leading to problems down the road.
On a personal level, you should always make sure that you are never over filling the washing machine during use. Use an appropriate amount of water based on the size of the load that you are trying to wash.
You should also replace all existing supply lines with braided steel supply lines. Braided steel is of a much higher quality and is much less likely to fail over time...
Insulate Your Washing Machine
When those cold winter months of the year roll around, you should also take care to make sure that your washing machine is well insulated. If the water in the washing machine freezes, it could potentially expand and cause cracks. Those issues would lead to water damage both during the winter and when the weather gets warmer out again.
You should also try to be home when loads of laundries are done so that any leaks can be caught immediately.
Finally, if your washing machine is on the top level of your home, you should always keep an eye out for all standing water, water staining on the ceiling below the washing machine and other signs that a leak may be present.
