Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sorry about your experience... one thing I would do if you haven;t
already is get someone involved in the cleanup right away; I had a
similar issue with the water heater in my garage shortly after moving
in. I caught it almost immediately and the only damage was to the
drywall ceiling downstairs, but my ins. co. insisted on sending out some
remediation people and they set up two industrial sized dehumidifiers
and fans, one upstairs and one downstairs, and they left them there for
two weeks until all the framing etc. was dry enough for their liking.
You don't want to have a mold issue down the road!

Sounds like you don't have a floor drain in your laundry room. I would
definitely have it redone with a membrane under tile and a nice big drain.

good luck

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Nate Nagel wrote:

Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sorry about your experience... one thing I would do if you haven;t
already is get someone involved in the cleanup right away; I had a
similar issue with the water heater in my garage shortly after moving
in. I caught it almost immediately and the only damage was to the
drywall ceiling downstairs, but my ins. co. insisted on sending out some
remediation people and they set up two industrial sized dehumidifiers
and fans, one upstairs and one downstairs, and they left them there for
two weeks until all the framing etc. was dry enough for their liking.
You don't want to have a mold issue down the road!

Sounds like you don't have a floor drain in your laundry room. I would
definitely have it redone with a membrane under tile and a nice big drain.

good luck

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

Thanks for your reply. Water rememdiation occurred within hours of the
incident, although I was dissatisfied with their clean-up service (but
that's another long story). Short version is I called insurance company
from the get-go and followed their instructions. The clean-up service
company had (4) industrial fans & (1) industrial dehumidifier in my
house for more than week (at no small cost, too!).

I now have to deal with the 'remodel' work ;/ And I so dislike choosing
stuff because it's so hard to decide!

Sky, who hates decorating!

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message
...
Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine. Anywho, there's substantial repair
work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sorry about your experience... one thing I would do if you haven;t already
is get someone involved in the cleanup right away; I had a similar issue
with the water heater in my garage shortly after moving in. I caught it
almost immediately and the only damage was to the drywall ceiling
downstairs, but my ins. co. insisted on sending out some remediation
people and they set up two industrial sized dehumidifiers and fans, one
upstairs and one downstairs, and they left them there for two weeks until
all the framing etc. was dry enough for their liking. You don't want to
have a mold issue down the road!

Sounds like you don't have a floor drain in your laundry room. I would
definitely have it redone with a membrane under tile and a nice big drain.

Yes, you need a drain, a floor that is sealed up behind the baseboard or
whatever you install around the floor on the wall, plus a high threshold to
prevent the water from running out the door. A tray under the washer would
have retained most of the water providing it was hooked up to a drain.

floor drain or machine in pan drain and definetely a auto solenoid
valve.

it only turns the water on when the machine is running, burst hoses
are common.

let us know if homeowners ads a exclusion to not cover this again, and
your insurance rates will likely double. sorry thats how it works today

EXT wrote:

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message
...
Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine. Anywho, there's substantial repair
work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sorry about your experience... one thing I would do if you haven;t already
is get someone involved in the cleanup right away; I had a similar issue
with the water heater in my garage shortly after moving in. I caught it
almost immediately and the only damage was to the drywall ceiling
downstairs, but my ins. co. insisted on sending out some remediation
people and they set up two industrial sized dehumidifiers and fans, one
upstairs and one downstairs, and they left them there for two weeks until
all the framing etc. was dry enough for their liking. You don't want to
have a mold issue down the road!

Sounds like you don't have a floor drain in your laundry room. I would
definitely have it redone with a membrane under tile and a nice big drain.

Yes, you need a drain, a floor that is sealed up behind the baseboard or
whatever you install around the floor on the wall, plus a high threshold to
prevent the water from running out the door. A tray under the washer would
have retained most of the water providing it was hooked up to a drain.

In an ideal situation, the floor drain would've been there. However,
that was not the case. Nor will it be an easy thing to retrofit a floor
drain either. Only vinyl flooring in the laundry room. Even if there
had been tile flooring, that wouldn't have made a difference -- a floor
drain would've, I'm sure.

However, this interior flood incidence has been an invaluable learning
situation for me. Lessons learned: (1) Never leave home while an
appliance is running -- I never left home while the clothes dryer was
operating, but I never considered that with the washing machine -- I now
know better, (2) always turn off the cold/hot water supplies at the
spigots to the washing machine when leaving home for a few days or more
for whatever reason, (3) change those washing machines hoses every 4 or
5 years or so, and (4) after I win the lottery and can build my own home
from scratch, include a floor drain in the laundry room!

Sky, who still hasn't yet won the lottery! G

---
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

Stephen King wrote:

Sky wrote in
:

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home. . . . SNIP!


Perhaps you should have read this group before your washer flooded.

Unfortunately, I'm not exactly psychic! Nor do I read tarot cards or
tea leaves (sigh). I haven't won the lottery yet either, dang it G.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"Sky" wrote in message
...
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

The only thing to be learned is to protect yourself from disaster. If
you're building, make a sloped floor in the laundry room to a floor drain.
Put the hot water heater in there, too. Put them with catch pans.

When I moved my washing machine, I took 24 ga. paintlock steel and made a
square tub for it with six inch high walls. Put a PVC drain pipe on it, as
it was built on a pedestal, and that drain punched through the wall to the
outside. I had a flood one time while I was away in San Diego for two
weeks. When I came home, the water was still running. And it all went
outside.

When you put it all back together, put a tub of some kind under it. A good
sheetmetal person can build you one for reasonable. Darnright cheap when
compared to $20k.

And if you're building, plan for disaster.

Steve. PS: It always happens at 3 AM

On Sat 09 Feb 2008 05:10:07p, Sky told us...

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

I can certainly sympathize and empathize with you as the exact same thing
happened to us in 1998, with similar damages.

After all repairs, replacements, and redecoration was completed, we
purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed
under the washer. Since our home was built on slab, the cost of adding a
floor drain was prohibitive, and we opted to have the floor pan drain
through a pipe through an outside wall into the yard. The outside tip had
a spring flap installed on it to prevent anything from entering the pipe.

Even prior to this event, we were already using steel mesh supply hoses and
solenoid control valves that prevented water flow to the supply hoses when
the washer was not running. Neither of these precautions could have
prevented the fault with the washer, but they are still an excellent idea
to prevent damage from hose ruptures.

Best of luck, and happy redecorating!

--
Wayne Boatwright

*******************************************
Date: Sunday, 02(II)/10(X)/08(MMVIII)
*******************************************
This tagline only uses recycled keystrokes.
*******************************************

"Wayne Boatwright" wrote in message
.184...
On Sat 09 Feb 2008 05:10:07p, Sky told us...

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

I can certainly sympathize and empathize with you as the exact same thing
happened to us in 1998, with similar damages.

After all repairs, replacements, and redecoration was completed, we
purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed
under the washer. Since our home was built on slab, the cost of adding a
floor drain was prohibitive, and we opted to have the floor pan drain
through a pipe through an outside wall into the yard. The outside tip had
a spring flap installed on it to prevent anything from entering the pipe.

Even prior to this event, we were already using steel mesh supply hoses
and
solenoid control valves that prevented water flow to the supply hoses when
the washer was not running. Neither of these precautions could have
prevented the fault with the washer, but they are still an excellent idea
to prevent damage from hose ruptures.

Best of luck, and happy redecorating!

--
Wayne Boatwright

*******************************************
Date: Sunday, 02(II)/10(X)/08(MMVIII)
*******************************************
This tagline only uses recycled keystrokes.
*******************************************


My mother and neice had their hoses rupture, I did a search for solenoid
control valves but returned too many results, could you give me an idea what
kind so I know what Im looking for when I ask for one.
Thanks
CathyLee

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

On Sat 09 Feb 2008 05:10:07p, Sky told us...

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

I can certainly sympathize and empathize with you as the exact same thing
happened to us in 1998, with similar damages.

After all repairs, replacements, and redecoration was completed, we
purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed
under the washer. Since our home was built on slab, the cost of adding a
floor drain was prohibitive, and we opted to have the floor pan drain
through a pipe through an outside wall into the yard. The outside tip had
a spring flap installed on it to prevent anything from entering the pipe.

Even prior to this event, we were already using steel mesh supply hoses and
solenoid control valves that prevented water flow to the supply hoses when
the washer was not running. Neither of these precautions could have
prevented the fault with the washer, but they are still an excellent idea
to prevent damage from hose ruptures.

Best of luck, and happy redecorating!

--
Wayne Boatwright


Thanks for the recommendations. Alas, I don't think a 4" pan under the
washing machine would've made all that much difference in this case,
since the amount of water was significantly more than that pan could've
held. It might be possible to have a drain installed in the laundry
room, but the cost is most likely more than I can afford at the present
time.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

"Blattus Slafaly £ ¥ 0/00 " wrote:

Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What should
I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Too late now. I have my washer in the basement near a cellar drain in
case that happens. If you don't have a basement they make pans for
washing machines. The washing machine sits inside the pan which has a
drain connected to the plumbing.
See: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/overflow
and: http://www.floodsaver.com/24_Specs.htm

--
Blattus Slafaly ? 3 7/8

Thanks for the suggestion and the links.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Feb 9, 8:26*pm, Sky wrote:
EXT wrote:

"Nate Nagel" wrote in message
...
Sky wrote:
Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco, I've
subscribed for the time-being. *My clothes washing machine malfunction
and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to learn as much as I
can. *Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover the damage except for
the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! *Luckily, spouse and I were
home when this happened, but there was still a lot of accumulated water
damage all the same, which could have been much worse had we not been
home. * Turns out the faulty part was the water intake valve where the
hoses attach to the washing machine. Anywho, there's substantial repair
work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. *Perhaps it's time for
some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. *All vinyl
flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will be
completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. *The washing
machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? *What should
I know/learn? *I've never gone through anything like this before, thank
goodness! *Luckily, I have "replacement value" for insurance (knock on
wood!). *TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. *The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

Sorry about your experience... one thing I would do if you haven;t already
is get someone involved in the cleanup right away; I had a similar issue
with the water heater in my garage shortly after moving in. *I caught it
almost immediately and the only damage was to the drywall ceiling
downstairs, but my ins. co. insisted on sending out some remediation
people and they set up two industrial sized dehumidifiers and fans, one
upstairs and one downstairs, and they left them there for two weeks until
all the framing etc. was dry enough for their liking. You don't want to
have a mold issue down the road!

Sounds like you don't have a floor drain in your laundry room. *I would
definitely have it redone with a membrane under tile and a nice big drain.

Yes, you need a drain, a floor that is sealed up behind the baseboard or
whatever you install around the floor on the wall, plus a high threshold to
prevent the water from running out the door. A tray under the washer would
have retained most of the water providing it was hooked up to a drain.

In an ideal situation, the floor drain would've been there. *However,
that was not the case. *Nor will it be an easy thing to retrofit a floor
drain either. *Only vinyl flooring in the laundry room. *Even if there
had been tile flooring, that wouldn't have made a difference -- a floor
drain would've, I'm sure.

However, this interior flood incidence has been an invaluable learning
situation for me. *Lessons learned: *(1) Never leave home while an
appliance is running -- I never left home while the clothes dryer was
operating, but I never considered that with the washing machine -- I now
know better, (2) always turn off the cold/hot water supplies at the
spigots to the washing machine when leaving home for a few days or more
for whatever reason, (3) change those washing machines hoses every 4 or
5 years or so, and (4) after I win the lottery and can build my own home
from scratch, include a floor drain in the laundry room!

Sky, who still hasn't yet won the lottery! G

Why can't you put a drain in your laundry room? I don't think you've
said explicitly, but for some reason I get the impression that your
laundry room is not on the ground floor. Even if it *is* you can
still bust up the slab and install a drain.

nate

(whose laundry room is basically half the basement, and does NOT have
a floor drain, and who sees busted concrete and plumbing in his
future...)

N8N wrote:

Why can't you put a drain in your laundry room? I don't think you've
said explicitly, but for some reason I get the impression that your
laundry room is not on the ground floor. Even if it *is* you can
still bust up the slab and install a drain.

nate

The laundry room is on the first floor of a 1.5 story home. The house
is on a very small crawl space. Perhaps someday I'll be able to put a
drain in the laundry room, but that's not an option at this point in
time.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

On Feb 10, 5:24�pm, Sky wrote:
N8N wrote:

Why can't you put a drain in your laundry room? �I don't think you've
said explicitly, but for some reason I get the impression that your
laundry room is not on the ground floor. �Even if it *is* you can
still bust up the slab and install a drain.

nate

The laundry room is on the first floor of a 1.5 story home. �The house
is on a very small crawl space. �Perhaps someday I'll be able to put a
drain in the laundry room, but that's not an option at this point in
time.

Sky

--
Ultra Ultimate Kitchen Rule - Use the Timer!
Ultimate Kitchen Rule -- Cook's Choice

great hole in floor of laundry room preferably near washer will
prevent major damage.

a water leak alarm thats positioned at the drain would let you know
theres a problem

Sky wrote:
N8N wrote:

Why can't you put a drain in your laundry room? I don't think you've
said explicitly, but for some reason I get the impression that your
laundry room is not on the ground floor. Even if it *is* you can
still bust up the slab and install a drain.

nate


The laundry room is on the first floor of a 1.5 story home. The house
is on a very small crawl space. Perhaps someday I'll be able to put a
drain in the laundry room, but that's not an option at this point in
time.

Sky


Sounds like putting in a drain would actually be quite easy, then.
Seriously, you should look into it, if you have to put a new floor down
anyway now is the time to do it so you don't duplicate cost later.

nate

--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel

On Sun 10 Feb 2008 01:02:02p, Sky told us...

Wayne Boatwright wrote:

On Sat 09 Feb 2008 05:10:07p, Sky told us...

Hello folks,

I don't typically ready this newsgroup, but due to a recent fiasco,
I've subscribed for the time-being. My clothes washing machine
malfunction and caused an interior flood in my home, I'd like to
learn as much as I can. Luckily, homeowner's insurance will cover
the damage except for the deductible/excess.

The washing machine kept filling, and filling, and overfilling, and
overfilling . . . . y'all get the picture! Luckily, spouse and I
were home when this happened, but there was still a lot of
accumulated water damage all the same, which could have been much
worse had we not been home. Turns out the faulty part was the water
intake valve where the hoses attach to the washing machine.

Anywho, there's substantial repair work to be done -- the estimate is
now nearly US$20K due to replacement for drywall, subfloor, carpet,
vinyl flooring, paint, removal of wallpaper, etc. Perhaps it's time
for some pitas (food), oh wait - I meant PITA (not food) G. All
vinyl flooring has already been removed, and the w/w carpeting will
be completely replaced except for a couple bedrooms upstairs. The
washing machine is on the first floor.

I'm not sure that I have any specific question(s), but what the heck
should I look for considering this scenario I've described? What
should I know/learn? I've never gone through anything like this
before, thank goodness! Luckily, I have "replacement value" for
insurance (knock on wood!). TIA.

Sky, who dislikes choosing things for 'decorating'!

P.S. The silver-lining in this cloud is I get to get rid of the
gahd-awful wallpapers in the kitchen & bathroom!!!!!

I can certainly sympathize and empathize with you as the exact same
thing happened to us in 1998, with similar damages.

After all repairs, replacements, and redecoration was completed, we
purchased a new washer and dryer and had a 4" deep floor pan installed
under the washer. Since our home was built on slab, the cost of adding
a floor drain was prohibitive, and we opted to have the floor pan drain
through a pipe through an outside wall into the yard. The outside tip
had a spring flap installed on it to prevent anything from entering the
pipe.

Even prior to this event, we were already using steel mesh supply hoses
and solenoid control valves that prevented water flow to the supply
hoses when the washer was not running. Neither of these precautions
could have prevented the fault with the washer, but they are still an
excellent idea to prevent damage from hose ruptures.

Best of luck, and happy redecorating!

--
Wayne Boatwright


Thanks for the recommendations. Alas, I don't think a 4" pan under the
washing machine would've made all that much difference in this case,
since the amount of water was significantly more than that pan could've
held. It might be possible to have a drain installed in the laundry
room, but the cost is most likely more than I can afford at the present
time.

Sky


The pan was drined to the outside of the house.

--
Wayne Boatwright

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Date: Friday, 02(II)/15(XV)/08(MMVIII)
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Zo true, mein freund, but ve haff our vays.
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