Most appliances in households require a water connection to function, but this quirk often leads to disastrous consequences like water leaks and damage. Though we obviously cannot do without these life-saving devices, it’s important be aware of the dangers they pose. So take a walk around your home and really look at each appliance — because one day, not too far from now, one of them is likely to spring a leak and cause some serious problems.
You, as a homeowner, owe it to yourself to understand the risks and which common household appliances most often cause water leaks. The best way to avoid such leaks is to check for leaks through a simple checklist.
Common Household Appliances That Cause Water Damage
You rely on your refrigerator for fresh food, your washing machine for clean clothes and your dishwasher for spotless dinnerware. On an appliance like the washing machine, the hose isn’t overly tough. It will last for a time, but you’ll likely want a replacement before long.
- Refrigerator — Your refrigerator is bound to produce a lot of moisture, especially during the summer. As you open the door and warm air passes over the condenser coil, that moisture accumulates at the bottom and leaks out onto the floor.
- Dishwasher — Your dishwasher may leak because of a malfunction, too much detergent, the wrong type of detergent, etc. It can be a fickle system. Unfortunately, the resulting water damage is more like flood damage due to the volume.
- Washing Machine — A washing machine leak can be a dramatic and damaging ordeal. Typically, it’s one of the hose connections, gasket, seal or pump causing the water leak.
Checklist to Avoid Water Damage
- Clean the refrigerator condenser coil before the weather starts to turn warm. This will help reduce the risk of an overflow caused by grime buildup and lower your monthly electricity bill, too.
- At least once per year, take some time to clean out the dishwasher filter. It’s gross, to be sure, but useful to keep the dishes clean and avoid an overflow or leak from springing up.
- Again, once per year, take a moment to clean out the washing machine drain trap. It may become clogged with grit and grime from your clothes and lead to an overflow if you’re not careful.