3 Washer Maintenance and Flood Prevention Tips
On average, fault washing machines cause upwards of $6,000 in damages. In hopes of stopping serious water damage in your home, Steamatic would like to share 3 tips on washer maintenance and loss prevention.
- Turn off your washing machine’s supply valves when it is not being used. If you find it to be a bit of a hassle to do this frequently, you might want to consider installing a lever-type valve that makes this chore as simple as flipping a switch. This valve stops all water from feeding into your machine and pipes between uses, eliminating the risks of bursting or leaky pipes.
- Do not leave your washer running when you are not at home. This tip may be a difficult pill to swallow for some, since running loads of laundry when you step out to handle errands is a highly efficient use of your time. However, we caution against this practice, especially if you are working with an older and less reliable machine. If your machine leaks or begins to flood while you are home, you can quickly minimize damages. Conversely, running a leaky load while you are out means you will probably come home to a large body of standing water and a whole lot of frustration.
- Position your washer properly to minimize problems. Though floor space is precious in every room of your home, we caution you against pushing your washer directly up against the laundry room wall. This increases the chances of kinking the hose near your washer’s valve connection and causing leaks or floods. Instead, leave a gap of 3 to 4 inches between the back of your washer and the wall.
