Why You Need Stainless Steel Washing Machine Hoses

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If you ask most people, they might tell you that the convenience of doing laundry at home is far from "convenient". Yet,it does beat taking it to the river, beating it on a rock or scrubbing it on a washboard, and then hanging it from a tree to dry. Today's homeowner has a "toss it in, toss to dryer, and then remove" mentality. Following the initial investment of washer and dryer units, many homeowners forget basic maintenance of their laundry room.

State Farm Insurance cites broken washing machine hoses as one of the leading reasons for homeowner claims each year. If this seems strange to you, then you should know that traditional machine hoses can wear out, burst and allow water to fill your home. Furthermore, water hammer problems can increase the likelihood that your hoses will wear out sooner than later.

Traditional washing machine hoses are made of thick rubber that can expand and contract from water filling and emptying the machine. Over time, the hoses can begin to break down in elasticity, causing them to eventually burst. Unfortunately, most homeowners are not aware of this fact and will allow rubber washing machine hoses to go unchecked for years, sometimes decades before inspecting them. For those who are aware of the fact that hoses can become worn and brittle, it may be extremely difficult to access the hoses behind large,heavy washer and dryer units. This can be especially true for older persons or persons with disabilities.

A good solution for the problem of old rubber washing machine hoses, even so called "reinforced hoses" is to replace your traditional rubber washing machine hoses with stainless steel mesh hoses, sometimes referred to as "NO-BURST" hoses. These mesh covered hoses act as a sleeve and keep the plastic tubing inside from expanding and contracting from changes in water pressure and hot and cold temperature changes. Think of the sleeve as a giant python that squeezes the hose to keep its shape instead of allowing the water pressure inside to expand it.

Stainless steel mesh hoses are readily available at your area home improvement center or local hardware store. The professional plumbing technicians at Tiger Plumbing Services, which serves the communities of Madison and St. Clair County in IL, can quickly install these hoses for those unable to reach the hoses or unsure as to how to change them. It is possible that you can replace the hoses yourself. Either way, you will also be getting the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are one simple home improvement project closer to saving yourself and family from a possible water disaster.

One last note of caution; No type or brand of washing machine hose is impervious to leaks or rupture. Even a stainless steel mesh braided hose is susceptible to rupture when not properly connected and periodically inspected for leaks or tears to the mesh. Having your home inspected by a professional plumber annually or at least every few years is your best course of action to ensure the safety of your home and family valuables from flood damage.