Washing Machine Overflow Emergency

HOW TO STOP OR PREVENT WASHING MACHINE DISASTERS.

Water Damage Claims account for over 50% of all homeowners insurance claims in Florida. Don’t let your washing machine cause damage to your home.

Preventive Steps and Emergency Damage Control for Washing Machine Flooding

Safety First! Water and electricity do not mix. Do not unplug the washing machine. Go directly to the circuit breaker or fuse box and cut off the electrical current to your machine. Pressing the “cancel” button on the washing machine’s control panel may automatically cause your machine to start the drain cycle and then you may have a bigger mess. Once the water has been removed, you can restart the electricity and plug and unplug the machine as needed.

Quick Tip

Sometimes the water on the floor may be the result of a plugged drain and not your washing machine! Sometimes the water on the floor may be the result of a plugged drain and not your washing machine!

Emergency Steps for an Overflowing or Leaky Washing Machine

Don't hurt yourself or others.  Turn off the circuit breaker before you get near the water.  After the water has been removed and it is safe to do so, then you may return electricity to your machine.

Water in the Washer Tub

Remove the water with a Shopvac if available. If you don’t have one of those, bail out all the water before moving to the water on the floor.

Water on Floor

Make sure you have secure footing so you don’t slip on the flooded floor. If laundry soap is part of the water, be especially careful. Mop or wipe up the water. Large towels may be utilized. If the water amount was excessive, you may need special flood cleanup products and industrial size fans to dry things out. Open windows and doors to help the process. Mold and mildew can form under carpet, tile, or other floor coverings if the flooded area is not totally dried up.

Clothes in the Washing Machine

Pick out one piece of clothing at a time. Transfer it to the nearest sink or tub and wring out all the water you can. Place item in large tub or pail. Repeat until the tub has no more clothes in it.

Determine Leak

The most common leak is from the hoses. Cracked hoses, worn out spring clamps, or the washer inside the hose may be the culprit.

To check for a leak, after your machine is empty, move it away from the wall and start the fill cycle. (You may need to turn the circuit breaker back on if you shut if off earlier.) Look for drips located around the where the water hose comes into the back of the machine. Check all three hoses: hot water hose, cold water hose, and wide black wastewater hose.

Are the hoses connected tightly? Does it only leak when the rinse/spin cycle is on? Is the drain clogged? The hose may be old, cracked, and need replaced. A typical area of leakage is around a worn out spring clamp that needs replaced. If the hoses look good, you may need to change out the little washer located inside the hose. You can disconnect the clamp and pop out the washer with a screwdriver. Replace the washer and re-tighten the hose.

If one of the hoses or clamps doesn’t seem to be the problem, find the access panel on the back of the washing machine or cabinet. Unscrew it and look for leaks as the machine fills with water. Advance it to the agitate cycle if you still don’t see a leak.

If you still can’t find the leak, it may be a leaky pump or worn out tub fittings.

Preventative Steps for your Washing Machine

Don’t forget to turn of the circuit breaker so you don’t mix water and electricity!

Don’t Over Stuff Your Washing Machine

Cramming too many clothes into the washing machine tub can cause it to become unbalanced and splash water and soap suds out of the tub. Use high-efficiency detergent in high-efficiency top loaders and top loaders.

Water Hoses Maintenance

Rubber washing machine hoses are under high pressure and the solenoids open and many times during a cycle. Cheap hoses usually need to be replaced about every five years. Replacement hoses are fairly cheap and easy to put on. They are as easy to attach as a garden hose to a spigot.

If the hoses are in good shape the internal washers may need to be replaced. Pry the old washers out with a flat-blade screwdriver and install new gaskets. The hoses can be reconnected now. Determine if the clamps need replacing too.

Regular hoses, no-burst hoses, spring clamps and new hose washers are available at home centers, hardware stores, and appliance parts distributors.

Gadgets for Water Disaster Prevention

There are devices containing a water sensor that can shut off the water supply and emit an alarm. Floodstop Washing Machine Valve Shutoff Kit

There are also devices that protect the washing machine discharge from flooding. The Furman Power Relay that cuts off power to the washer and consequently shuts off the drain discharge when a leak is detected.

Ask Emory Garland Plumbing for recommendations that are best for your home.

Call for Help from a Professional Plumber during a Plumbing Emergency

If you would like an expert to help with your determine where your leak is coming from or need leak repair, please call Emory Garland Plumbing.

We are a 24 hour plumbing contractor, ready to help you with all of your plumbing problems. Call us at 813-909-7418 for leak detection, leak repair, and water line repair. Contact Emory Garland Plumbing, a licensed, bonded and insured Tampa plumber available for all of your plumbing problems.