nestork wrote:

Every appliance manufacturer will tell you to shut off the water to
your washer whenever it's not in use, but who does that? Most people
will shut the water off to their washer before they go on vacation,
but that's about it. Having braided stainless steel supply hoses
makes the likelihood of coming home to a flooded basement cuz the
washer supply hose burst very much less likely.

Of course that's a good idea but, as you said, who does it? Maybe if
shutting off the water was easier ...

Faucets are available that are quarter-turn which should make the safety
step easier, but even then there are problems.

I've got a washer and a dryer that are front-loaders*. Both are, moreover,
on pedestals ! I can't even SEE the faucets, let alone reach the to adjust
their status.

So, I'm with you on the braided, stainless steel, hoses.

As for maintenance on the rest of the machine, do like you do on your
automobile tires: Run 'em 'til they blow.

----
* Retail price on the pair, including pedestals, is in excess of $2400 and
change. I got these two, used, for a total of $350. I'm willing to share the
process by which stuff like this - and the prices - can be had.

I can't say enough good things about these front-loaders: Obviously they use
less water, but they take bigger loads, the washer takes just a pinch of
detergent, they get the clothes much cleaner (according to my current
squeeze), dry without wrinkling, and more.