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Clothes Washer Hoses and Filters
A couple of years ago, I came home from running an errand and heard the sound of rushing water (like a waterfall!) coming from my basement. I tore down the stairs and saw what looked like the Old Faithful geyser spewing water from behind my washing machine.
I immediately cut off the water at the supply stop behind the washer, but there was quite a pool on the floor. I cut the power to the washing machine (at the electrical panel), then unplugged it and moved the appliance back from the wall.
The washer was about 15 years old, and so were the hoses that ran from the supply valve to the machine. Made of rubber, they had grown brittle and corroded with minerals from our well water over the years. One of them finally split; thatβs what caused the gusher. Iβd never given them a thought before the split.
If youβve had your washing machine for eight years or more, it might be wise to replace the supply hoses now, before they do to you what mine did to me! Insurance companiesβwho often wind up paying out for the damage done by burst hosesβadvise homeowners to replace supply hoses every 3 to 5 years.
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Judy Ostrow (The Complete Idiot's Guide to Simple Home Repair: Fast Fixes for Every Part of Your Home)