Water leaking from the back of washing machine

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
It was embarrassing when I was showing my house to my real state agent. When we went down in the cellar, she gasped and exclaimed "There's standing water down here." I was right behind her and I couldn't believe it, either. When we walked into the laundry alcove, water was spraying out from the back of the washing machine and I could hear water running in the pipe that went over to it. It was the hot water, so I closed the valves to both feed lines that went to the washer. I thought that would take care of it. I hadn't been in the cellar for a few weeks and it wasn't like that back then. All that dampness disintegrated the plasterboard walls in the laundry room. Last evening, I thought I'd check on it and while the water wasn't spraying out, it was still dripping vigorously where the rubber hose connects to the back of the washer. The valves are as tightly closed as I can make them. What's the likely cause of this?
 

It could be the hose. Washers that are indoors should have braided steel hoses, not just bare rubber. The stainless steel braiding will contain the leak if the rubber fails. They aren't expensive.
Other possibilities: The connections at the back of the washer and at the valves may be too tight. That squashes the rubber seal & can cause leaking. When screwing them on, as soon as resistance is felt, they should only be turned another 1/4 turn. If they were over tightened, the rubber seal should be replaced.
The valve may need replacing.
 
Last edited:
When my water heater started leaking I shut off the valve going to it but the water kept leaking. I had to go to the main shutoff where water enters the house to stop the leaking. The plumber replaced the valve with a quarter turn valve.
 
Murrmurr said:
If you don't use the washer, the water to it should have been turned off. The water was applying constant pressure, so ....refer back to Win's first post (#2) - that's what happened.
Click to expand...
My stepfather used to harp at us to turn off the water ever time we finished using the machine to relieve pressure on the hoses.

It is one of several little speeches that still play in the back of my mind half a century later. 😊
 
Jules said:
If the leak has stopped, just leave things as they are. The house may not be yours soon.

Did your real estate agent give you an estimate of it’s value?
Click to expand...
I looked at the leak today and didn't see any water dripping anywhere, but it is moist around where the valve stem goes into the pipe. I am holding my breath (figuratively).

She did a quick walk-through and said it is far from a tear-down, but we didn't touch on price. It is a moot issue since my purchase of the other house is tenuous now after seeing the inspection report. I've noticed when male realtors look at it, the consensus is it's a train wreck. When female agents look it's, "Oh it just needs a few renovations here and there." Who an I gonna believe?
 
debodun said:
I looked at the leak today and didn't see any water dripping anywhere, but it is moist around where the valve stem goes into the pipe. I am holding my breath (figuratively).

She did a quick walk-through and said it is far from a tear-down, but we didn't touch on price. It is a moot issue since my purchase of the other house is tenuous now after seeing the inspection report. I've noticed when male realtors look at it, the consensus is it's a train wreck. When female agents look it's, "Oh it just needs a few renovations here and there." Who an I gonna believe?
Click to expand...
Believe the one that brings home the bacon! ;)

I would list the house and move forward with selling while rates are low and demand is high.

I would rather be homeless with the money in the bank and my treasures in storage than continue with the current situation.

Good luck with your decision.
 
debodun said:
It is a moot issue since my purchase of the other house is tenuous now after seeing the inspection report. I've noticed when male realtors look at it, the consensus is it's a train wreck. When female agents look it's, "Oh it just needs a few renovations here and there." Who an I gonna believe?
Click to expand...
What (serious) problems were uncovered at the new house, besides the roof?
 
The HI got in a wad because the drain stop didn't work smoothly - to me that's a VERY minor problem.

What bothered me was the leak in the plumbing in the cellar which he didn't seem to think was very important.

Sump pump needs new motor, but he said since it was dry, probably not a problem right now.

Haven't received the radon report yet. He said it would take several days.
 
debodun said:
The HI got in a wad because the drain stop didn't work smoothly - to me that's a VERY minor problem.

What bothered me was the leak in the plumbing in the cellar which he didn't seem to think was very important.

Sump pump needs new motor, but he said since it was dry, probably not a problem right now.

Haven't received the radon report yet. He said it would take several days.
Click to expand...
Those would bother me. When it becomes a problem, how much?

He also pointed out the water stain on the ceiling in the garage.

That fan that isn’t working would be concerning too. My DD had this in her reno‘d room and none her knowledgeable friends could figure out the problem. Finally brought in an electrician and found the wire was cut part way along.
 
debodun said:
What bothered me was the leak in the plumbing in the cellar which he didn't seem to think was very important.
Click to expand...
He may think it's a very simple fix, in which case you might want to require ti be fixed before you sign on the dotted line.

Since sump pumps are only a couple of hundred dollars, that doesn't seem to be a big deal unless I'm missing something.
 
debodun said:
If it was simple and the owner knew about it, which I think she did since a rag was wrapped around it, why didn't she have it repaired?
Click to expand...
Why haven't you get repairs done on all the simple things that have gone awry in your house? Why have most of us followed that pattern? Human nature - after a while we acclimate to little issues that don't cause us problems and stop noticing them....
 
StarSong said:
He may think it's a very simple fix, in which case you might want to require ti be fixed before you sign on the dotted line.

Since sump pumps are only a couple of hundred dollars, that doesn't seem to be a big deal unless I'm missing something.
Click to expand...
The need for a sump pump I'd want to know. Obviously it removes water so how much water enters & from what source would be great to know. Routine upkeep doesn't seem to be Deb's strong suit, so a sump pump failure could go unnoticed. Water has a nasty way of ruining things that are not supposed to get wet.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top