Common Laundry Mistakes That May Cause Water Damage

2/15/2018 (Permalink)

Overloading the drum of your clothes washer could lead to water damage

Having a clothes washer in your East End home is usually a given. However there is a downside to having a washing machine in your house – like any machine, they can break down, and if they break down, there is a risk of leaks. Leaks in your home means water damage which can often lead to mold. You want to avoid leaks, if possible. Here are some common laundry mistakes that harm your machine and increase the chance of a breakdown.

Metal items are a leading cause of washer breakdown – and that means more risk of water damage in your home. The three most common culprits are:

• Coins – always check the pockets of every item for coins before starting your washer.
• Zippers – you cannot remove zippers from your clothes, but you can zip them all the way up to the top, so they do not flap around as much.
• Brassieres – underwire and clasps on lingerie might cause damage. You can protect your washer by placing underthings in a mesh laundry bag.

Another thing that causes washer damage is over-filling the drum. It is tempting when you have several loads of laundry to stuff as much in as you can. Unfortunately, putting too many clothes in the machine puts extra stress on the workings. SERVPRO of The East End recommends checking out the manufacturer’s guidelines about weight.

Power surges present another potentially dangerous situation. A sudden spike of electricity can harm your washer, including melting its plastic components. Protect your machine by using a surge protector, and by unplugging when not in use.

No matter how careful you are, it doesn't always prevent leaks. In the event of water damage, SERVPRO of The East End is here to extract water, dry out carpets, baseboards, and floors and restore your laundry room and any other affected areas of your home as soon as possible. Our IICRC trained and certified technicians have the expertise, knowledge, equipment and drive to restore your damage to "Like it never even happened."

For help with water damage in your East End home, call SERVPRO of The East End at 631-653-9595.