Washing machine hoses carry water under pressure. If a hose fails, leaks, cracks, or loosens, it can cause a lot of water damage quickly.

Because washing machines are often pushed close to the wall, leaks behind them can go unnoticed until flooring, walls, or nearby rooms are affected.

Common Signs to Watch For

You may notice:

• Water behind or under the washing machine
• Damp flooring nearby
• Bulging hoses
• Cracked hoses
• Rust or corrosion at the connections
• Loose hose connections
• Water spraying when the washer runs
• Washer filling slowly
• Shutoff valves that are hard to turn
• Water backing up from the standpipe or drain

What You Can Check First

If you can safely see behind the washer, look for moisture, cracked hoses, bulging, corrosion, or loose connections.

Check whether the hot and cold shutoff valves are easy to reach and whether they appear to be leaking.

If water backs up when the washer drains, stop running the washing machine until the drain can be checked.

When to Replace Hoses

If hoses look worn, cracked, bulging, or old, it may be time to replace them. Braided stainless steel hoses are often preferred over older rubber hoses.

Even if the hoses look fine, it is worth checking them from time to time because they stay under pressure.