Most Likely Household Appliances to Cause Water Damage

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

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

• Hot Water Heater: 69 percent of failures are due to a leak or a burst.  A small investment in an annual inspection will help prevent leaks and the expensive repairs that come with it.  Be observant 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, hose connections, center post gaskets, outer tub seal, air dome seal and the pump.  Make sure to 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.

• 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 nine years old it may be time for a replacement.

• Toilet: 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 have experienced water damage in your home, contact SERVPRO of Muskegon, (231) 733-7601