Having a washer at home is a great way to save time and money on laundry day. But, if the machine floods, it can cause a lot of water damage in a short space of time. When many people experience this problem, they panic because they don’t know what to do. In this article, we will show you four simple steps to get this situation under control quickly to prevent or limit the water damage.
It’s important to stop the water flooding at the source and this is the water supply to the washer. When it’s shut off, it’s time to unplug the appliance with dried hands. If the power outlet is surrounded by standing water, it’s a good idea to shut off the power at the breaker box to prevent an electrical shock.
Cleaning up as much water as you can handle is a great way to prevent further damage. The volume of water released can vary a great deal and you may need a mop, bucket, and a lot of towels to get the situation under control. If you have a wet/dry vac, use that to remove any remaining water from the floor. If a large volume of water was released, it’s a good idea to run a dehumidifier and floor fans. This will create cross drafts and remove moisture from the air to speed up the drying process.
If the water leak was extensive, you might consider heavy-duty drying equipment to prevent wicking into the drywall. This can get expensive, and in many cases, it’s a better idea to contact a plumber and water damage restoration expert. If your drying efforts are not working, it’s unlikely that domestic grade fans and dehumidifiers will improve the situation.
Once you’ve removed any standing water from the floor, it’s time to remove the items in the washer. There will be water in the machine, and the items will be soaked. To limit the dripping of more water onto the floor, it’s a good idea to have a bucket on hand to carry the items. The water can be scooped out with a small jug, and this can take some time. Any water remnants can be soaked up with more towels, and a repair technician should be contacted to examine the washer.
If you’re experienced in DIY plumbing, it may be possible to discover the source of the overflow. There could be a faulty or disconnected hose, or the cause could be the washing machine itself. Understanding why the problem occurred is important to prevent it from happening again. If you’re not sure how to proceed and you don’t know much about plumbing, it’s time to contact your local certified plumber. They can identify and fix the problem for you, and a water restoration technician can evaluate the extent of the water damage.
If you want to schedule a health check for your plumbing system, contact your local plumber today.