Replace Old Rubber Hoses on Your Washer

p_9980It is important to maintain your laundry room but it can be difficult to know exactly what to do in order to maintain the appliances in your laundry room.

We found this article that lists exactly what should be done in order to avoid any damage to your machines and to your home.

======================
SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Hammond apartments vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
======================

From the article:

Burst washing machine hoses have to be one of the most common causes of catastrophic water damage in homes. When I find rubber hoses used to connect the washing machine, I often mention to my clients that it’s a good idea to replace them. It’s downright disturbing how often my client then goes on to share a story with me about how they already had a flooded house or knew someone who’s house flooded because of a failed washing machine hose.

As rubber ages, it loses it’s flexibility. After being subjected to water hammer over and over for many years, the rubber washing machine hose is eventually going to fail, and it’s going to be one heck of a mess. Here are a few suggestions to lower the risk of your washing machine hoses suddenly bursting.

Turn off the water supply when not in use
Washing machine manufacturers actually tell you to do this in their installation instructions.

Replace your old rubber hoses regularly
I???ve heard that a good rule of thumb is to replace rubber washing machine hoses every five years. That sounds good, but how do you remember? Another tip I???ve heard is to replace your washing machine hoses every leap year. Not a bad idea.

Install an emergency shutoff kit
You can purchase an emergency shutoff kit, such as the type sold by Floodstop, which will almost surely prevent any type of catastrophic leak. These devices come with a water sensor, so if a leak is detected, an alarm goes off and the water supply valves automatically close. These kits are battery powered, and according to the web site, can be installed in about 10 minutes. Not a bad idea.

Install stainless steel braided hoses
This is the simple advice that I usually give during home inspections. Stainless steel braided hoses are much more resistant to bursting, and they???re fairly inexpensive.

—————
Still have questions about caring for your dryer? Checkout this article about troubleshooting your dryer for homeowners that could be of interest to you.
—————

Read the entire article here: http://www.structuretech1.com/2012/07/rubber-washing-machine-hoses/