5 min read
Most homeowners tend to forget that water damage isn’t always caused by leaky roofs and cracked foundations alone. If you look indoors, you’re likely to find the culprit of water damage in the form of your household appliances.
While it’s recommended that you perform regular appliance maintenance to prevent lasting damage, this is also done to prevent water damage from leaking appliances.
But which of your household appliances is more likely to cause water damage around your home? Here are some of the most common household appliances and what you can do to prevent water damage from leaking appliances.
Dishwashers
Dishwashers have a life expectancy of up to 12 years and are expected to start breaking down after three years of use. Issues such as malfunctioning hoses and valves, clogged drainage, loose fittings, and damaged dishwasher doors can cause leaks when in use. This can either cause plumbing issues or create water puddles around the kitchen.
You can hire someone to repair your dishwasher. After the ten-year threshold, consider replacing your appliance with a newer model.
Refrigerator
Water damage from leaking appliances can apply to both stand-alone fridges and fridges connected to plumbing and drainage. Fridges connected to water lines are those with ice makers, and those made with materials like copper and plastic are likely to be easily damaged after some time.
This, as well as a clogged drain clog for defrosting, can lead to standing water buildup under or behind your fridge. Refrigerators with issues with the door’s sealing can also lead to defrosting, which can cause water damage.
There are many steps you can take to prevent water damage from your refrigerator. Have a professional take a look at your fridge’s water lines at least once a year. Ensure that the rubber seal on the door is functioning and doesn’t let cold air out. Ensure your defrosted drain is clear of any obstruction, and flush it out regularly with hot water.
Washing Machines
Washing machines have a lifespan of up to 15 years before you should consider replacing your current model, though the average model fails after around 8.6 years. Due to the amount of water that goes into your typical wash, the parts that are most likely to fail first are the supply house or water house.
Check for leaks around the hose, as there’s a risk of leaking, especially if your washing machine is installed in a kitchen or in a designated laundry room with poor drainage and ventilation. Ideally, you should replace the hose after five years or once you start to see signs of leaks, cracks, or rust.
Water Heaters
Both gas and electric water heaters are prone to the typical wear and tear, corrosion, and mineral build-up of handling water. If left unchecked, the cracks can lead to leaking and eventual water damage around the property. Meanwhile, the build-up can lead to inefficient flows and the risk of sudden bursts.
To prevent this, you should have your water heaters inspected annually for leaks and maintenance. Next, flush out your tanks and plumbing every six months to get rid of any sediment build up.
Although it’s recommended you change your water heater every ten years, your appliance’s lifespan can depend on how often you use it and how it’s maintained. Gas heaters can last up to 12 years, while electric heaters can last up to 15 years.
How Do I Prevent Water Damage from Leaking Appliances?
Left unchecked, your appliances could continue to leak and cause plumbing issues, which can eventually lead to mold and other types of water damage. It’s possible to prevent these through a number of practices:
- Replace Old Appliances: All appliances have a lifespan. Once they’ve reached that threshold, it becomes more practical to replace them instead of trying to repair their damage. A good practice is to stick a label on your appliance to remind you what year you purchased your appliance. However, keep in mind that your appliance may be beyond repair even before it reaches its average lifespan.
- Schedule Maintenance: Having maintenance done at least once or twice a year can let a professional catch any issues that can build up over time. Ideally, keep the manual of your appliance and the receipts so that you can easily contact your appliance manufacturer for any warranties, defects, and replacement parts.
- Inspect Your Appliance: Even without a professional, you can spot some signs that there’s something wrong with your appliances. Check for leaks, damage, or anything out of the ordinary that warrants attention from a professional.
- Clean the Area Regularly: At least once a month, clean around the area of the appliance to check for leaks, mold growth, wall stains, or any other sign of water damage.
Leave Your Appliances and Your Home with the Capable Hands of Restoration 1 of Austin
These are just some of the most common appliances that can cause water damage around your home. By taking steps to maintain these appliances, you can reduce the risk of lasting water damage that can affect the cleanliness, safety, and structure of your home.
However, if begin to spot signs of property damage because of these appliances, it’s a wise move to reach out to a water damage restoration company you can trust.
Restoration 1 of Austin is your trusted solution for water damage around your home. Water damage can be a slow and silent process that you don’t know is affecting your home until you see the severe damage later on.
Our water damage restoration company can help assess the damage, restore your property, and recommend steps to prevent more damage in the future. Get in touch with Restoration 1 of Austin today.
