Dealing With Water Damage in Older Houses

Older houses are often magnets for various types of damage, and homeowners must keep on top of their maintenance to ensure the avoidance of major disasters. There are several different ways to "run interference" for these types of problems, catching them before they begin and taking measures to ensure that they don't happen in the future. One of the most common problems in older houses, and even in some of the newer ones, is water damage.

This type of damage can be extensive if it gets out of hand, and can often run amok before you even catch the problem. Water damage, unlike other types of problems, can occur deep within the foundation of your home as well as in hard-to-reach areas that will eventually begin colonies of mold and large areas of rot.

The Washer

The washer is connected to both cold and hot water lines. Check them frequently (at least once a month) to make sure that things are running smoothly. Make sure that your washer can be pulled out from the wall so that you can easily inspect the hoses and the ends of the water lines. Start with the joints and fix a leak if you find it. Sometimes, leaks can be repaired with duct tape or special types of glue, but in some cases they must be handled by a professional. Be sure to check both ends of the water lines. Clean or replace the filters once every three months to make sure they are doing their job. A blocked filter will slow the water flow into the washing machine, and may cause some malfunctions while increasing your water bill exponentially This problem is worse in areas with “hard water”. Inspect the shut off valve by looking for drips into the washing machine while it is not in use. If you detect a leak, replace the valve.

Hoses & Filters