Many people in the Triangle have been busy over the past summer with graduations, vacations, road trips, outings to the North Carolina beaches and mountains, and enjoying the hot weather. This can mean time away from the home or business; and water-related mishaps can occur in absence. One of the leading causes of water mishaps is the water supply lines that connect various appliances to the main lines in the building. Washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerator ice makers all use flexible plastic or rubber hoses and those hoses are constantly under water pressure. Problems can result because materials and connectors that wear out or fail. If left undetected, water can leak out for days or even longer, flooding the immediate area and beyond.
AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers these five tips for preventing appliance related water damage:
- Take a look at the hoses behind washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators: Don’t just look at them for leaks or cracking, but make sure the connections are tight too. Look nearby for signs of water or mold, as mold may be a sign of a slow leak. Replace the hose if it looks worn or leaky.
- Replace the supply hoses and lines to appliances based on age: Try to determine the age of various supply hoses and periodically replace them. If the age is unknown, consider replacing them. If the age is known, the general rule of thumb is to replace every five years. If the supply line is replaced, record the date on a piece of masking tape and stick it on the piping.
- Check the water shutoff valves: The shutoff valves are usually located where the flexible hose connects to the main plumbing, often behind the appliance. The dishwasher shutoff is usually under the kitchen sink. These valves don’t last forever, and are prone to problems, especially where hard water is commonplace. A plumber can easily replace these, perhaps even as a preventive measure. It is much less expensive than water damage.
- Ensure hoses and supply lines are not bent or kinked: Improper installation is a big issue. Moving the refrigerator or washer against the wall can cause supply hoses to become twisted, wedged into small spaces, or kinked at sharp angles. That can cause water supply hoses to fail before they are old enough to warrant replacement.
- Appliances can leak from the inside: Any appliance that uses water has internal valves and mechanisms that turn the water on and off and some also have internal rubber and plastic hoses with water under pressure. Ultimately, the best prevention for water-related mishaps during an absence from home or business is to turn off the main water supply.
AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex offers a number or services to help clean up from water damage and the mold that often follows it. We are certified by the IICRC to restore water damage, and are available anytime, any day to respond. AdvantaClean would prefer that water damage be prevented, but if it happens, we know how to take care of the problem correctly and quickly with the right people, equipment, and expertise.
AdvantaClean of Cary/Apex is the number one team of professionals in the Triangle to perform IICRC certified flood damage restoration. Contact us today in the unfortunate event you experience flood or water damage.
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