Appliance leaks are the quiet kind of flood. A washing machine hose lets go while you are at work. A water heater weeps for weeks behind a closet door. A fridge line behind the unit drips into the subfloor. By the time you see water, a lot of material is already wet.
This page covers the four appliances behind most of the calls we get, what each one usually does when it fails and what to do first.
Where appliance water comes from, and what to do first
| Appliance | Usual failure | Warning sign | First move |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water heater | Corroded or failed tank, leaking fitting, failed relief valve | Rust or water at the base, rumbling, damp floor or wall | Shut off the cold water supply to the tank. Turn off power or gas to the heater. |
| Washing machine | Supply hose burst or came loose, drain hose fell out of the standpipe | Damp floor near the washer, bulging or cracked hose | Close the two valves behind the machine. Unplug the washer if you can do it safely. |
| Dishwasher | Door seal, supply line, drain hose or pump leak | Water under the unit, warped floor at the front | Shut off the supply valve under the sink and turn off the breaker. |
| Refrigerator or ice-maker line | Cracked or loose water line, clogged drain pan | Wet floor behind or beside the fridge, ice maker that stopped | Close the small valve on the line and unplug the fridge if water is near the cord. |
For all of them: do not stand in water if the appliance is plugged in. Turn the power off at the breaker if you can reach it dry. If you cannot, call us and an electrician.
Water still spreading? Do not wait for it to stop on its own.
Call (223) 245-0005Water heater leaks need a different eye
A water heater is a tank holding gallons of water at pressure and temperature. A small drip around a fitting is a repair. A leak from the tank itself usually means replacement. A failed tank can release the whole tank at once, and that water is hot. Keep children away. Our blog post on water heater leaks, warning signs and cleanup covers what to look for before it fails.
Why appliance leaks do so much damage
- They run unattended. A hose that fails at 9 a.m. can run until 5 p.m. before anyone is home.
- They are hidden. Water goes under cabinets, behind appliances and into subfloors where nobody looks.
- They are under pressure. Supply lines are connected to house pressure. A burst hose delivers water as fast as a tap.
- Laundry rooms and kitchens sit over living space. Water goes through the floor into the room or basement below.
For perspective: a figure often quoted from the Institute for Business and Home Safety is that a crack only one-eighth of an inch wide can release more than 250 gallons a day. Higher estimates exist at high pressure. A failed supply line is not a drip.
What gets wet, and what we do about it
Appliance water is usually Category 1 when it comes from a supply line or tank, which is the best case for drying in place. A washing machine drain or a dishwasher discharge is more likely to be Category 2, because it contains soap, food or detergent residue. The category decides what is removed.
- Extract standing water and water in carpet or vinyl.
- Check cabinet toe-kicks, the subfloor and the wall behind the appliance with a meter. Pull the appliance out if needed.
- Remove materials that will not dry, often the cabinet base, flooring underlayment or drywall at the floor.
- Set air movers and dehumidifiers and take daily readings.
- Document for your insurer.
If the leak went unnoticed for days, it may have fed mold. See mold removal for that case.
Insurance and who to call
Pennsylvania homeowners policies generally cover sudden and accidental discharge from plumbing and appliances. A slow leak found after weeks may be treated as maintenance. The wording matters, so call your insurer and ask. The appliance itself is usually not covered, only the damage it caused. We provide dated photos, daily moisture readings and a written scope, and a plumber or appliance technician fixes the cause.
Older houses, newer appliances
Census survey estimates put about 63 percent of Mechanicsburg's housing at built before 1970. A new washer on an old supply line is common, and old valves can fail when you finally use them. If a shut-off valve is stuck, call a plumber instead of forcing it. Related pages: water damage restoration, structural drying and emergency water extraction. We work in Mechanicsburg, Shiremanstown, Camp Hill and Carlisle.
Appliance leak questions
How do I shut off a leaking water heater?
Close the cold water supply valve at the top of the tank, then turn off the electric breaker or the gas control. If the tank is leaking and hot, keep children and pets away.
Will insurance cover a washing machine hose that burst?
Often, for the water damage it caused, because it is a sudden event. The hose and machine themselves are usually not covered. Check your policy and call your insurer.
Can you tell how long a leak has been running?
Sometimes. Rust, staining, warped flooring and mold growth suggest a long leak. We record what we find and give your adjuster the readings.
Do I have to pull the appliance out?
Often. The wall and subfloor behind and under it are the likeliest to be wet. We pull it, check, and put it back after drying if the plumbing allows.
Should I replace the supply hose after a leak?
Yes, at the least. Replace old rubber hoses with braided lines or have a plumber install new ones. An appliance technician or plumber should do the repair.
