All major
appliances in your home need to be inspected and maintained. This includes your Heating and AC systems,
your water heater, and your washing machine.
The recommended timing of this maintenance is one year, so when you are
draining your water heater or scheduling a service for your air conditioner and
heater, it would be a good idea to check the water inlet hoses on your washing
machine.
Replacing
hoses is not a big job and it does not cost a lot of money. Compare that to the cost of one of them
bursting and flooding your laundry room or house. Besides making a big mess,
you may have to replace flooring and that could really cost a lot of
money. Even if your insurance covers it
there is the inconvenience of having these repairs done.
There are
two things to check on the washer hoses.
First, look at the connections to the valves to see if there are any apparent
leaks. If it feels moist, you may only
need to tighten it a bit. Next, examine
the condition of the hoses. If you
notice bulges, cracks, or rust, you need to replace them as soon as
possible. You especially need to check
your hoses regularly if you have the cheaper ones with steel fittings. These are brass plated and will rust over
time. Also, the rubber has a tendency to crack where it is connected.
One rule of
thumb you can follow is to replace the black rubber ones every two years and
the stainless steel ones that are braided every five years. Some experts say to replace any type of hose
every three years.
When buying
replacement hoses you will have a choice between rubber and stainless
steel. If you opt for rubber, make sure
it is reinforced with a mesh to increase its strength. The stainless steel braided hoses are often
called burst resistant because they are more durable. These carry a longer warranty than the rubber
hoses.
Here are
two final tips. Make sure you know where
the water shut-off valves are in case a hose bursts. Also, allow four inches of clearance between
the washer and the wall so the hoses will not kink and get damaged. Read Washing Machine Repair and Troubleshooting Tips
to learn more.
Appliance Parts Today has been
in business since March of 2003 providing area residents and local service
technicians a complete line of replacement
parts for appliances and air conditioners.
The local
appliance parts store is the DIY’s number one resource for home appliance
repair and maintenance tips. The
friendly staff will help customers find the appliance parts and air
conditioning parts they need. They will
also answer questions and offer technical advice to ensure a successful DIY appliance repair job