A washing machine leak rarely looks like much at first. The floor gets wiped, the machine keeps running and the wall behind it stays closed. The water that ran down behind the washer, into the base of the wall and under the floor, is the part that turns into a restoration job.
This post covers where washing machine leaks usually start, what we have been finding on a laundry leak in Thousand Oaks this month, and what to do if yours has been leaking.
Where washing machine leaks usually start
- Supply hoses. The hot and cold lines behind the machine are under water pressure all the time, even when the washer is off.
- Valves and the washer box. The recessed box in the wall that holds the shutoff valves and the drain can leak at the fittings.
- The drain hose. A hose that slips out of the standpipe or a standpipe that backs up puts water on the floor during the drain cycle.
- The machine itself. Pumps, door seals and internal hoses can leak from the bottom of the unit.
- Overflow. An overloaded machine or a clogged drain can spill over the top.
Supply hoses are the big one. An Allstate prevention guide citing an IBHS study says more than half of the washing machine claims in that study were linked to rubber hose failures, and it recommends inspecting supply hoses every year and replacing them every five years with reinforced hoses.
What we are finding on a laundry leak in Thousand Oaks
This job is a laundry area in a garage, with the washer and dryer against the garage wall. Here is what the photos from the last week show:
- First visit, September 22: moisture readings along the laundry wall, with blue tape marking the edge of the wet area and arrows showing where it ran. Readings were also taken in the bathrooms and inside the kitchen cabinets.
- September 23: close photos of the washer box and its hoses. The drywall below the box has rust colored drip stains running down toward the floor.
- September 24: readings at the base of the garage wall, where the concrete below it is stained.
- September 25: plastic containment went up around the wall, the drywall came off to the studs, and readings were taken on the exposed framing.
- September 28: another full round of readings on the framing and in the kitchen cabinets.
A dehumidifier went in on the first visit. On the September 25 check its display showed air coming in at 39 percent relative humidity and going out at 17 percent. That drop is the moisture it is pulling out of the air, and out of the wall.
Why the wall has to be opened
Water from a washing machine leak runs down the back of the drywall and collects at the bottom plate, the piece of framing sitting on the slab. Drywall and insulation hold it there. From the room side, you might see a stain, a little bubbling at the baseboard or nothing at all.
The EPA says water damaged areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. A closed wall will not do that. That is why this one was contained and opened: so the framing can actually dry, and so the readings can confirm it. Our post on mold behind drywall explains what happens when a wet wall is left closed.
What to do if your washing machine is leaking
- Turn off the water at the valves in the washer box. If they will not turn, shut off the main.
- Unplug the machine before you touch anything around it.
- Pull the washer out and look at the hoses, the valves and the wall behind it.
- Check the other side of the wall. Look at baseboards, cabinets and flooring in the room behind the laundry.
- Take photos before cleaning anything up, for your insurance claim.
- Get readings if water got into the wall or under the floor. Our post on early signs of water damage covers what to look for.
How to keep it from happening
- Replace rubber supply hoses with reinforced ones, and replace them on a schedule.
- Leave a few inches between the back of the washer and the wall so the hoses do not kink.
- Know where your shutoff valves are, and turn the water off to the machine if you will be away for a while.
- Do not run the washer when nobody is home.
- Consider a leak sensor on the floor next to the machine.
Our post on preventing water damage at home has more checks like these.
FAQ
Why is my washing machine leaking from the bottom?
Common causes are a loose or failing internal hose, the drain pump, a worn door seal on a front loader, or water from a supply hose running down behind the machine and pooling underneath. Pull the machine out and look before you assume it is the washer itself.
Does homeowners insurance cover a washing machine leak?
Sudden leaks are often covered, and slow leaks that went on for a long time often are not. It depends on your policy. We cover how that usually works in our post on water damage and insurance coverage.
How long does it take to dry out a wall after a laundry leak?
Once the wall is open and equipment is running, framing often dries within several days. The readings decide when it is done, not the calendar.
Dealing with a washing machine leak?
Total Restoration handles water damage restoration in Thousand Oaks and across Ventura County, Santa Barbara County and Santa Clarita. We find where the water went, open what needs to be opened and dry it properly. Contact us to get it checked.