3 Common Culprits for Household Floods

Though Steamatic does offer a salvaging solution for sodden paper items with their water damage and media restoration service, flood prevention is an even better option. In line with this thinking, Steamatic has assembled a list of the top-3 flood-causing household appliances for you to watch and maintain.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators working hard to cool items in warmer seasons produce a lot of moisture. Each time you open the door to your fridge, warm air is allowed to pass over the condenser. This creates condensation, which pools in the bottom of your refrigerator.

Typically, refrigerators are equipped with drain lines made to siphon off this water build-up, but they can be blocked with bits of food. Unless they are properly maintained with a chlorine bleach clean, these blocked drain lines can cause minor flooding issues.

Another refrigerator risk involves your appliance’s water supple line. This supply line feeds the ice machine. If it is detached or otherwise malfunctioning, you may come home to find significant standing water in your kitchen.

Dishwashers

 Dishwashers commonly overflow with improper use related to the volume or variety of detergent that was put into the dispenser.

Otherwise, dishwashers malfunction and flood kitchens because of faulty float switch assemblies or clogged strainers. Float switches are easy to replace, and strainers can be washed at home in the sink with a stiff-bristled brush. If neither of these seem to be the culprit for your flood, you are likely dealing with a faulty plumbing connection.

 

Washing Machines

Washing machine leaks are usually significant. The six most common culprits for washing machine leakage are issues with the inlet connection, hose connection, center post gasket, outer tub sea, air dome seal, or pump. Turn off and unplug your washing machine, bust out your owners manual, and troubleshoot these common problem areas one by one.