Washing Machine Leak or Flood
A burst washer hose can release hundreds of gallons if nobody's home. Here's how to stop it, clean up and keep it from happening again.
Stop it now: turn off the hot and cold valves on the wall behind the washer, unplug the machine if you can do it without standing in water, or shut off the main water valve.
Common causes
| Where it leaks | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Behind the machine, while filling | Burst or cracked supply hose, loose connection |
| Behind the machine, while draining | Drain hose popped out of the standpipe, clogged standpipe |
| Under the machine | Failed pump, cracked tub, worn door seal (front loaders) |
| From the floor drain | Clogged laundry drain or main line |
What to do
- Shut off the water and powerWall valves behind the washer, or the main.
- DocumentPhotos of the hose or leak point and the spread of water.
- Check where the water wentUnder flooring, into the next room, down into a basement or crawl space, or through the ceiling below an upstairs laundry.
- Get it driedWater under laminate, vinyl plank or cabinets doesn't dry on its own. A restoration company can find and dry hidden moisture.
Upstairs laundry rooms are the worst case: water goes straight through the floor into ceilings, walls and rooms below. Check the ceiling underneath right away.
Prevent the next one
- Replace rubber supply hoses with braided stainless steel hoses
- Replace hoses every 5 years, even if they look fine
- Install a washer drain pan, especially for upstairs laundry
- Add a leak sensor or an automatic shutoff valve
- Turn off the wall valves when you leave for vacation
See also: water damage restoration · ceiling water damage · costs
Frequently asked questions
How much water can a burst washer hose release?
A failed supply hose can release several gallons per minute until the water is shut off, which can mean hundreds of gallons if no one is home.
Does insurance cover a washing machine leak?
Sudden failures, like a burst hose, are often covered for the resulting water damage. The washer or hose itself usually isn't. Long-term slow leaks may be excluded.
Water in your home? Get a local pro on the way.
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