How To Prevent Washing Machine Leaks

Most people have experienced water damage caused by a leaking or overflowing washing machine in their home or know someone else who has experienced it. A water damage disaster can be frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive, so it’s easier to avoid them if at all possible. As the old proverb goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some ways to prevent your washing machine from leaking and causing water damage from the experts at Clean Rite.

Research Your Washer Before Buying

Depending on your situation, you may have little say in which washing machine you have. However, if you are ever in a situation where your current washing machine is wearing down, and you are looking to purchase a new one, carefully research different brands and models before making a decision. Some models and brands are more prone to breaks like water leaks than others. Spending an extra couple hundred dollars to get a more reliable washer in the first place could save you thousands of dollars in water damage restoration costs in the long run.

Don’t Overload Your Washer

It’s tempting to wash big loads of laundry. Theoretically, running bigger loads would save you time and money compared to running more small loads, but that isn’t necessarily true. If your load is too big, clothes cannot move around quickly, so they won’t get cleaned as well as they would in a smaller load. Oversized loads are also more likely to overflow and flood your laundry room. Washing machine manuals typically include load size guidance. Most washing machine manuals can be found for free online if you do not have the manual that came with your machine.

Don’t Use More Laundry Detergent Than Recommended

More soap does not necessarily equal “more clean.” Loads with too much detergent are more likely to overflow and leave a soapy residue on your supposedly “clean” clothes. A good rule of thumb is to use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent for a regular-sized load.

Stay At Home While Doing Laundry

It may feel tempting to start a load of laundry before leaving the house to run errands, but water damage experts recommend only washing your laundry while you are at home to monitor it. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to keeping an eye on your machine while it is running. That way, if your machine leaks, you are there to catch it early and turn off the water before it has time to accumulate and cause more extensive (and more expensive) water damage to your property.

While you can take many preventative measures to prevent washing machine leaks, some leaks are unavoidable. If you experience flooding in your home from your washing machine, contact experts to help you deal with the problem correctly to avoid the problem from reoccurring. If you live in Rhode Island and need assistance, call Clean Rite for professional water damage restoration services.