Re: Clothes washer caused interior flood!

On Sat 09 Feb 2008 05:10:07p, Sky told us...

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) <G>. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

I can certainly sympathize and empathize with you as the exact same thing
happened to us in 1998, with similar damages.

After all repairs, replacements, and redecoration was completed, we
purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed
under the washer. Since our home was built on slab, the cost of adding a
floor drain was prohibitive, and we opted to have the floor pan drain
through a pipe through an outside wall into the yard. The outside tip had
a spring flap installed on it to prevent anything from entering the pipe.

Even prior to this event, we were already using steel mesh supply hoses and
solenoid control valves that prevented water flow to the supply hoses when
the washer was not running. Neither of these precautions could have
prevented the fault with the washer, but they are still an excellent idea
to prevent damage from hose ruptures.

Best of luck, and happy redecorating!

--
Wayne Boatwright

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Date: Sunday, 02(II)/10(X)/08(MMVIII)
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Relevant Pages

  • Re: Clothes washer caused interior flood!
    ... My clothes washing machine malfunction ... I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on ... purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed ...
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  • Re: Clothes washer caused interior flood!
    ... My clothes washing machine malfunction ... purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed ... we were already using steel mesh supply hoses ...
    (alt.home.repair)
  • Re: Clothes washer caused interior flood!
    ... My clothes washing machine ... purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed ... and we opted to have the floor pan drain ...
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