Washing Machine Hose Bursts Can Cause Major Water Damage Recently, at least two homeowners in Alta Vista suffered water damage to their home due to hoses on their washing machine bursting. Here are some tips on how to better prevent that. Washing machine hoses are one of the most neglected but potentially damaging maintenance items in a home. Because they are out of sight, they are forgotten and give little warning of impending disaster. Not checking your washing machine hoses is like not checking your oil. Nothing seems to be wrong until that moment when you life seems to flash in front of you... as well as the floating dresser... and the sofa table... and the dog... all magically cascading out the front door on a burst-hose tsunami!! If you can't remember how old your washer is, or if you think its age is in the double-figures, its time to replace those hoses!! Choosing a replacement hose... it's not so easy! Before we go further, let's briefly talk about your replacement hose choices. There are two basic types of hoses available in hardware stores... reinforced rubber and stainless-steel reinforced. Reinforced rubber hoses are similar to hoses used by your parents (and maybe your grandparents). Though the earlier types were plain solid rubber, modern hoses are reinforced with a braided rayon or polyester mesh to increase bursting strength. If you choose this type of hose, be sure the label says "reinforced" or you may be getting a low-quality hose product. The newer kid on the block is the stainless steel braided hose, often called "burst-proof" or "burst resistant". The construction is a very flexible plastic hose encased in a twisted, flexible mesh of stainless steel wire. One brand is the Fluidmaster NO-BURST® hose. This type of hose is more durable to physical damage (cutting and twisting) than rubber hoses and generally carry longer guarantees... but do not necessarily last longer! Despite their name, burst-proof hoses can fail... with the same water-logged consequences as rubber hoses. According to Wade Pearson of State Farm Insurance, "There are many factors involved in why a hose would leak or burst; such as age of the hose, (our research indicates many times hoses sit in a warehouse for years before they are eventually sent to a retailer) water chemical content that may cause deterioration inside the hose and eventual failure, (many of the metal braided hoses have rubber interiors which are also subject to deterioration) and of course, manufacturing defects are also responsible for many failures." "Regardless of the type of hose that a homeowner uses, our recommendation is to check them frequently and replace them every 3-5 years as part of a proactive maintenance plan." (Note that State Farm Insurance does not endorse, recommend or warranty any brand of washing machine hose.) Watch out for common installation errors! What confounds any statistics on hose failure is installation error, which can drastically shorten the life of a hose. Regardless of the type of hose you choose, sharp kinks or bends in the hose can weaken it or the seal at the connectors. To prevent pressure on the hose and connectors, allow at least 3"-4" between the back of the washing machine and the wall. And don't skimp on the length... purchase hoses longer than you need to allow for a little slack! If you have a tight installation such as an shallow laundry closet, there are hoses available that have right-angle connectors. These allow the washing machine to be placed closer to the wall without putting extra stress on the hose. You may have to special order them or order them online if your hardware store doesn't stock them. So, to summarize... (1) With a lack of hard statistical information on failure rates, I can't make a definitive recommendation. Stainless steel hoses appear to have the edge, but they are not foolproof. For example, State Farm Insurance leans towards the braided hoses, but does not wholeheartedly recommend them: "Hoses with external steel braided wire may be more costly (approx. $10) than rubber hoses (approx. $5) but have a lower failure rate." (2) Regular inspection may be the key to minimizing your risk. Look for rust on the connectors, unusual bulges in rubber hoses (especially near the connectors) or unraveling and bulging is stainless steel hoses. Of course, if there is any leaking whatsoever replace the hose immediately! | 
