Home Maintenance Suggestion to Avoid a Flood/Insurance Claim/Inconvenience (washer, Lowes)

[J. Trent Hicks]

In recent weeks, we have received an unusual number of calls from customers for failures that relate to the water supply lines between the laundry room connection box and the washing machine.

On occasion, various municipalities have announced flushing of the water lines or increased water pressure levels; but in years past has always been done in the Spring. I really don't know if that is the case this Fall, but it seems a little odd that washing machine supply lines seem to be bursting all over town.

We recommend that you take a look at the hoses that supply your washing machine and if there is ANY doubt that they are not in premium condition, replace them right away with the stainless steel braided hoses that carry a much higher pressure rating than the standard rubber hoses.

You can pick these up at any of the home improvement stores for just a few dollars and avoid damage to your home, trips to the laundromat, the loss of your insurance deductible, and a lot of inconvenience having repair personnel in your home during the Holidays.

It also might be a good idea to inspect your PRV (pressure reducing valve) to make sure that it is still operational to protect you from increased water pressure causing damage to other areas of your home.

[underPSI]

I was going to suggest adding Floodsafe hoses to add to your contribution. However, upon looking up the link to add to my post I ran across a lot of complaints about the hoses.
I have them on my washer and haven't encountered any issues. I haven't noticed any longer fill times with them which is one of the common complaints. I haven't had one rupture, either, so I can't confirm if they will actually prevent a flood.
I do know they work because when I change the whole house filter upon turning on the water I have to reset the lines because they closed due to the surge in pressure due to air.

I do agree about braided SS lines. Great investment and worth every penny. I also suggest an annual cleaning of the dryer vent pipe between the walls. Lint can accumulate clogging the line. Once the lint gets hot enough it will ignite causing a house fire. And get rid of those flimsy plastic white "accordion-style" dryer vents that run from the dryer to the wall connection. Get one made from stiff aluminum.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_51618-131-L2...uct&facetInfo=

[harry chickpea]

A pressure regulator will resolve some problems, an expansion tank will resolve even more.