Five Washing Machine Failure Risks You Should Know About

 If your washing machine suddenly fails, you could end up with extensive water damage on your hands. A washing machine failure costs the average homeowner $5,308 (after deductible) and washing machine problems are definitely on the top 10 list of leading sources of residential water losses. Here are five of the most important washing machine failure risks to be aware of.

Many homes have rubber supply hoses carrying water into the washing machine. These hoses are a huge risk for water damage, because over time the hoses can crack or leak causing water loss and mold problems. According to data from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, supply hose failure causes 55 percent of all water damage claims related to washing machine issues. To help reduce your risk of supply hose failure, inspect your hoses regularly or consider replacing them with steel braided hoses.

Washing machine drums that overflowed or drain lines that backed up caused 28 percent of the damage claims studied by the Insurance Institute. In order to prevent machine overflow, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding loading and operation, and have your unit serviced by a professional from time to time to clean filters and check water shut off valves. To prevent drainage problems, be sure your machine is connected to a drain that can handle the high volume of water being discharged, and get your drains cleaned periodically.

The age of your washing machine (and hoses) is also a risk factor for water damage. The average age of a failed machine in the data studied was 8.6 years. If your washing machine is approaching this age, start paying closer attention to its performance. If it is making funny noises or if the hoses have never been replaced, contact a washing machine repair specialist to inspect your machine and replace any worn or compromised parts.

The location of your washing machine in your home can affect the severity of any water damage that may occur. When units are in the basement (especially an unfinished one), floor drains and sump pumps help remove excess water before it can cause too much damage. When washing machines are on the ground level, however, costly damage to carpets and furnishings is more likely to occur. And if the machine is on an upper floor, there is potential for water damage to all the floors and rooms below.

Though only 6 percent of water damage claims related to washing machine failure occurred in unattended homes, these claims caused nearly 2.5 times as much damage as other claims, simply because the water was allowed to accumulate and sit without anyone noticing. In order to reduce your risk of coming home to a flooded laundry room, remember to shut off the water to your washing machine whenever it is not in use.