Bursting at the seams
Published on
June 20, 2022 at 11:05:00 AM PDT June 20, 2022 at 11:05:00 AM PDTth, June 20, 2022 at 11:05:00 AM PDT
Are rubber washing machine hoses safe?
Imagine coming home to water-covered floors. The main cause of washing machine hose failure is the material. Traditional rubber hoses fail over time as they lose their flexibility, which then introduces cracks, bubbling, and in time, leads to bursting.
The water pressure inside the hose is constant. The supply line is always on, whether or not you’re using the washing machine. Once a leak occurs, the flow of water continues and could be as much as 650 gallons of water in an hour, or up to 6 gallons per minute! That’s a definite cause for concern.
It is recommended that rubber washing machine hoses be replaced every 5 years. You can avoid having to perform this task every five years by replacing rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses. These hoses are resistant to bursting and are inexpensive! The cost of stainless steel braided hoses is miniscule compared to the price of a flood. Braided stainless steel, 6 feet long hoses with gooseneck end fittings are a popular BetterVenting accessory that many include with other BetterVenting products in their order. Ordering is easy! Visit the product page for a simple ordering process.
Here are some visual inspection tips we suggest you perform every few months to keep your washing machine hoses in check:
Damaged Hoses – Are there any visible signs that the hoses have blisters, soft areas, bubbles or cracks? Is there any discoloration or weakened areas? If you see any of these signs, replace the hoses right away.
Leaks – Look for moisture where the hoses connect. Are there signs of rust or discoloration? If any of these are evident, replace the washing machine hoses as soon as possible to prevent a leak or burst.
Positioning – Make sure the hoses are free of kinks and bends. Give the hoses some space by making sure the washing machine is positioned about 4 inches away from the wall to prevent crushing the hoses. Washing comforters or blankets can make the machine vibrate and cause movement during the spin cycle. Periodically check the position of the machine to help prevent stress on the hoses.