Household Appliances Most Likely to Cause Water Damage

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

Call the experts when you experience water damage.

Certain appliances or systems in your home can actually increase your risk of flooding.  Below are the top sources of water damage in homes:

• Hot Water Heater - 69% of failures are due to a leak or burst.  A small investment in an annual inspection will help prevent leaks and the expensive repairs that come with it.  Be attentive to corrosion and other factors as your heater ages and replace it every 10 years.
• Refrigerator - the most common cause of a leaky refrigerator is the defrost drain having a freeze or clog.  You'll need to thaw the ice and flush your drain with hot water.  Improper sealing can cause excess condensation in an attempt to keep cool.  Check the rubber seals along the door to assure a tight close.  Also, your ice maker can become the ultimate mess maker, check the hose or waterline to assure they are connected properly.
• Washing Machine - leaks around or clamps in the water hose are a warning sign of future failure.  The six most common sites for washer leaks are the inlet connections, the hose connections, the center post gaskets, the outer tub seal, the air dome seal, and the pump.  Do a monthly personal inspection on your hoses to look out for cracking, dryness, or rust, leaving space between the machine and the wall for movement as the wash cycle is running.  Replace your hoses every five years despite their outward appearance.  Don't forget to follow your washing machine instructions and turn off the water supply when you leave home for vacation.

• Refrigerator - the most common cause of a leaky refrigerator is the defrost drain having a freeze or clog.  You'll need to thaw the ice and flush your drain with hot water.  Improper sealing can cause excess condensation in an attempt to keep cool.  Check the rubber seals along the door to assure a tight close.  Also, your ice maker can become the ultimate mess maker, check the hose or waterline to assure they are connected properly.
• Dishwasher - when a dishwasher overflows, often the cause is simply that someone put too much detergent, or the wrong type of detergent, into the dispenser.  In other instances, the malfunction may be due to a faulty float switch assembly, a strainer clogged with food and detergent debris, or one of many plumbing connections.  If your dishwasher is over nice years old it may be time for a replacement.
• Toilet- overflows happen because they have a clogged drain or because the float is malfunctioning, which allows too much water into the tank.  If plunging doesn't solve the problem, the problem may be in pipes outside, which would require a professional plumber.

If you experience water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties, 269-686-0664