Appliance Malfunctions are Common Water Damage Culprits

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage from a broken appliance? Call SERVPRO of Dane County West Today – (608) 497-3331

Appliance Failures Account for Thirty Percent of Water Damage Claims*

Understanding the most common points of appliance failure in a home can give you significant insight into how you can best protect yourself.

Dishwashers

Dishwasher lines and hoses often break during the middle of a wash cycle. Catastrophic dishwater failures resulting in water damage are typically caused by damaged supply or drainage lines. Water damage can also be caused by damaged dishwasher doors or door gaskets, allowing water to leak out from the front of the dishwasher while in use resulting in a flood of water in your kitchen. 

If your dishwasher does not drain, try some of these tips:

• Run your garbage disposal to dispose of stuck food and clear the drain. Often, simply running the disposal will get the dishwasher draining again. 
• Clean your sink’s air gap. 
• Regular dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent produces too many suds to prevent proper drainage. Dishwashers are designed for use with automatic dishwasher detergents than clean without creating suds. 
• Check the drain hose for kinks. 
• Examine the drain hose for clogs. 
• Clean out the drain basket. 
• Call the plumber if you are unable to unclog the drain on your own. The problem could lie in a dishwasher’s timer or motherboard or a faulty pump.  

Refrigerators with Ice Makers

If a water line to an ice maker is damaged, water can build up under/behind the refrigerator. It is highly recommended to have these lines inspected annually.

Sump Pumps

According to Square One Insurance, sump pumps have an average life expectancy of around ten years. Sump pumps can fail for several reasons:

• Power outages
• Frozen or clogged discharge lines
• Missing or broken check valve on the pump
• The sump pump is the wrong size
• Improper installation & connection to the sewer system 

Sump pump failure can lead to disastrous results such as flooding. Following the manufacture's maintenance tips can prevent catastrophic water damage. Here are some additional tips:

• Run a vinegar solution through the sump to clean it. 
• Check the power cord to make sure it's connected to a power source.
• Dump a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on.
• Clean all vents and air holes. 

Washing Machines

Malfunctioning dishwasher drains or water hoses result in some of the most common claims filed by homeowners, says Douglas Nadeau, a spokesman for State Farm. "Most homeowners leave washing machine water supply lines turned on so when a hose bursts, water can discharge at up to 500 gallons per hour, causing major damage in a short time," Nadeau says.

Here are some tips to help prevent your washing machine from flooding, according to Roto-Rooter. 

• Inspect your washing machine’s fittings and hoses regularly for breaks, cracks, bulges, wear, or signs of corrosion.
• Replace your coolant hose with stainless steel braided hoses that last longer and are less likely to leak.
• Install a flood alarm that will warn you if your washing machine is leaking to reduce damage.
• Speak with a plumber about measures you can take to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Deal with a plumbing issue right away—even if it seems insignificant—before it becomes a large, costly problem.
• Turn washing machine valves on and off to test for leaks.
• Shut off the water supply to your washing machine if you are going to be away from home.
• Check all exposed pipes for signs of damage or leakage.
• Make sure to empty the dryer tank periodically.
• If you have a front-loading washing machine, periodically check the seal around the washing machine door to see if it is still working properly.

Water Heaters

Gas and electric water heaters typically fail due to leaks/cracks, rust or sediment build-up, or inefficient heating elements leading to colder than expected water, with 69% of all water heater failures resulting in slow leaks or sudden bursts. Here are the most common reasons why water heaters leak, according to Thomas & Galbraith.

• Old tank.  As the unit ages, the parts wear out, the water doesn’t keep its warmth, and leaks occur more frequently. Water heater leaks due to old age sometimes happen because rust forms in the tank. This leads to corrosion, which allows water to exit through cracks. When the water heater reaches the end of its life, the only thing to do is replace it.
• Drain valve.  This valve loosens over time, which allows water to leak through. However, leaks from the base of the valve indicate that the component isn’t watertight. In this case, a new drain valve is necessary.
• Too much pressure. Like any plumbing fixture, water heaters deal with naturally occurring water pressure. Pressure occurs in water heaters because the hot water creates steam and fills the space. When this steam has nowhere to go, the pressure becomes too much. Water leaks through any crack in the heater to relieve some of the pressure. 
• Faulty temperature and pressure relief valve. Water heater leaks also occur because of the temperature and pressure relief valve, known as the T&P valve. This valve helps relieve pressure inside the tank. When this valve doesn’t work, the pressure in the tank increases. Sometimes, the valve is simply loose and requires tightening. However, if the part is faulty, the piece needs a replacement. Lower the pressure in the tank before you deal with T&P valve issues.
• Sediment collection. As water heaters age, they collect sediment at the tank's bottom, and cracks can form. These cracks allow water to leak through. Tank leaks require an entirely new water heater which is expensive, so clean the tank semi-regularly.

The faster homeowners identify a leak, the less likely they are to experience extreme water damage. 

• Preventative maintenance. Regular maintenance done by a plumber ensures the water heater doesn’t experience any leaks. Maintenance checks allow plumbers to inspect the entire plumbing system, which means they cover the water heater. They make sure there are no active leaks, and they take a close look at all the components to see if they can cause leaks shortly.
• Tighten loose parts. Tighten loose parts with a wrench. 
• Drain and clean tank. A clean water heater tank is less likely to crack due to sediment collection. 
• Respond quickly. 

Toilets

The most common cause of water damage from toilets is clogging/overflowing. Fill, supply, flush valves, and supply lines are other common causes of toilet failure. 

Quick responses to any appliance water leaks ensure that homeowners will not have to face harsh repercussions.

If leaks run for long periods, floods are more likely to occur. Quickly attend to all leaks to ensure that water damage along with secondary mold damage doesn’t happen. 

Regardless Of The Disaster, SERVPRO of Dane County West is Here To Help. 

Equipped with the training, tools, and experience to quickly and efficiently mitigate water or fire damage and restore your home or business, SERVPRO of Dane County West will help make it "Like it never even happened.”® 

• IICRC Certified Firm
• Faster to Any Disaster
• Highly Trained Specialists
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• A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau).
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• We work with your insurance to help manage the insurance process and paperwork for a stress-free claims process.
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*source: Roto-Rooter