When talking about water damage in residential properties, the first things that often come to mind are heavy rainfall, storms, and floods. While these natural disasters can indeed cause water to enter and wreak havoc inside your home, they’re not the only causes of water damage. On top of that, water damage does not commonly happen due to harsh weather.

In reality, you’re far more likely to deal with a wet mess inside your home due to appliance leaks than natural disasters. Even the slightest issues with your refrigerator, water heater, dishwasher, and air conditioner can cause leaks that lead to structural issues and microbial growth.

With all of that said, the bright side is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself from appliance water leak damage. Here are some practical tips to help you keep rogue water from damaging your home.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions

Maintaining your appliances is key to keeping them working correctly – and ensuring they don’t release water where they shouldn’t. On that note, it helps to remember that every device is different and requires unique maintenance procedures and schedules to stay in good working order.

Your best bet is to follow the instructions in your user’s manual and arrange regular inspections as recommended. It’s also a good idea to watch out for puddles of water or signs of water damage in walls around your appliances in between inspections. Doing so helps you detect issues early so you can stay ahead of extensive and extensive damage.

Use Sturdier Tubing

Washing machines, dishwashers, and similar appliances often come with flexible plastic water supply tubing. While this material can resist rusting and freezing, it can easily crack, break, burst, or deteriorate from wear and tear.

To avoid problems such as hardwood floor water damage, consider getting stainless steel tubes or pipes as a replacement. Besides being stain-resistant and corrosion-resistant, stainless steel is known for its strength, durability, and elegant look.

Check Your Refrigerator’s Seals

Seals and gaskets in refrigerators, freezers, and ice-makers play an essential role in keeping cool air in and warm air out. So if their rubber seals become dry or cracked, they can let warm air inside the appliance and consequently cause it to work harder to keep the temperature cold.

This can result in several issues, such as an ice buildup in the water line or excess moisture and condensation – both of which can ultimately cause appliance water leak damage. Checking your refrigerator’s seals and getting the necessary repairs or replacement can:

• Prevent leaks
• Prolong the lifespan of your refrigerator
• Protect you from high electricity bills

Have Your Water Heater Regularly Inspected

Your water heating equipment helps you stay warm, especially during the colder months. However, it can also be the source of overwhelming stress and damage when it starts to leak.

Water heaters can leak due to several reasons, from sediment collection and loose fittings to faulty temperature and pressure relief valves and age-related issues. Regardless of the cause, it’s worth emphasizing that water heater problems must not be ignored, as they can allow gallons of hot water to rush into your home.

Have your water heating unit regularly inspected whether or not you’ve noticed issues with it. This proactive approach can help you catch potential leaks and complications – and the expensive repairs that can come with them.

Pay Attention to Your Dishwasher

Taking the time to clean your dishwasher’s filter on a regular basis may not be among the chores at the top of your list. However, removing any buildup of food debris from the filter is a simple yet effective way to keep your dishwasher from malfunctioning and leaking.

Even better, this should not take too much of your time. The process is simple:

• Open the dishwasher and lift its bottom rack.
• Remove any food particles on the filter, twist to unlock it, and take it out of the machine.
• Remove any visible debris from the filter while under running water to clean it. Use dish soap and a soft sponge to clean any remaining food or deposit.
• Once clean, run hot water over the filter before putting it back into the dishwasher and locking it in place.

Stick the Recommended Soap

The laundry detergent or dish liquid you buy matters when preventing issues and appliance water leak damage. So if you’ve purchased a new washing machine or want to change your dish detergent, it’s best to always consult your user manuals before choosing a cleaner.

The wrong products can:

• Create an overwhelming sudsy mess.
• Force soap and water out of your dishwasher and into the floor.
• Leave behind soap residues inside the appliance, eventually damaging it.

Consider Replacing Old Appliances

Buying a new refrigerator or upgrading your water heater is no simple investment. While you may still be convincing yourself that your appliance is still working “well enough,” the reality is that using machines way past their life expectancy will only put you at risk of costlier issues. Older appliances often consume more energy and are especially prone to leaking and breaking down because of their age.

Rather than getting replacements for their older parts, which only temporarily fixes the problem, consider investing in newer machines. Making the switch might be what you need to steer clear of leaks and hardwood floor water damage.

Get Help From Water Restoration Experts Available 24/7

Watching out for signs of damage and taking proper care of your appliances can help fend off leaks and the mess they can create. However, if you’re already past the point of prevention, getting immediate help is crucial in not only cleaning up your place but also protecting your floors, walls, and other affected structures from severe damage.

Restoration 1 is a certified and insured restoration company with service locations all over the country. Our local professionals deliver fast response times and quality workmanship to get properties back to their pre-loss condition, no matter the water damage.

If a burst pipe, flooded basement, or overflowing dishwasher has left you feeling overwhelmed, know that you can call us for water damage restoration around the clock. You don’t have to deal with a water disaster alone; we are here to guide you through our straightforward cleanup and restoration plan. Contact us to get started!