Washing machines are one of the most common household appliances and we use them a lot. A typical load of laundry uses at least 30 gallons of water. That’s roughly the amount of water it takes to fill a standard bathtub. While they are usually built to last, it only takes one faulty hose or disconnected seal to find your Santa Clarita home flooded by washing machine water. If this happens, don’t waste any time. Contact American Craftsman right away to remove the water and start cleaning up the mess. Water damage repair can reduce water damage significantly if it starts immediately. The longer the water sits, the bigger the damage is going to be.

Check For Problems Ever

There are some steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood of flooding from a washing machine. Many are common user processes that should be adhered to every time you turn the washing machine on. Others are a little more technical and may involve the helping hand of a washing machine repairman.

• Avoid Using Too Much Detergent – While you may think overloading your washing machine with detergent means cleaner clothes, it’s more likely that soap suds will overflow the lid and cause a huge mess.
• Avoid Overloading With Clothes – Overloading your washing machine with clothes will overwork the unit. This can break the drain pump and weaken seals, causing a flood.
• Use A Lint Trap – If your washing machine drains to a utility sink, install a lint trap on the drain line. This will prevent lint from building up in the sink drain, causing an overflow.
• Check The Hoses – Your washing machine usually has two water supply hoses. Check that hoses are not dried out or worn. Tighten the connections regularly and look for signs of corrosion.
• Check the Drain Line – A third, larger hose allows dirty water to drain from your washing machine. This can get clogged by lint or even become disconnected from the drain.
• Know Where The Water Shut Off Valve Is Located – The best way to stop a washing machine overflow or flood is by turning off the water. Make sure you know where the shut off valve is located. Then turn off the power as well.

Common Causes Of Washing Machine Floods

Large washing machine failures are not the biggest cause of household flooding due to washing machines. Some of the more common causes are due to worn hoses, corroded connectors, leaking seals, broken sensors and clogged drains. Here are a few things you can do to remedy the problem and reduce the chances of needing water damage repair by professionals.

• Most washing machines have two water supply hoses, a hot and a cold, that attach to the rear of the unit. The hoses become brittle and the connections can get loose over time. If you suspect corrosion, replace it with braided stainless steel connectors.
• Depending on your exact washing machine, there are one or more tub seals that keep water from leaking out of the unit during regular operation. Over time, these seals can stretch and no longer form a water-tight seal. Water will then leak from the tub causing a flood. Routine maintenance can catch those seals before they cause a big flood.
• Washing machines have a water level switch or sensor that controls the water level inside the unit. Although it is designed to last, the water level switch will eventually wear out and cause malfunctions. If your washing machine overflows when filling, the water level switch is usually the cause. Again, routine maintenance will ensure the efficiency of the features of your washing machine.
• If you have a front-loading washing machine, the door will have a latch that keeps it closed during operation. Unfortunately, the door latch can become loose and allow water to leak from the door. This is more likely if you use too much detergent or if you overfill the washer. Front loading washing machines also have a gasket on the door that forms a waterproof seal and keeps water inside the unit during operation. Water can leak from your washing machines if the door seal is misaligned, kinked, or damaged. When it comes to loading clothes and adding detergent, go with the less-is-more-concept.
• The drain line allows dirty water to flow from the machine. Over a number of years, lint and other debris can clog the drain line. This will cause your washing machine to back up into the tub and may even cause it to overflow. A partial drain clog will also put more stress on the tub seals and drain pump seal. If those seals are already weak, a clog may cause them to fail completely. Clogged drains can easily be caught with some training or by hiring a repairman to perform inspections regularly.

Water Damage Repair In Santa Clarita

Home water damage disasters have the potential to cause bigger problems. When water damage happens to your Santa Clarita home, contact the team at American Craftsman for emergency water damage repair. The sooner we arrive, the less likely your home is to be contaminated by mold or suffer structural damage from moisture.