Avoiding Drainpipe Overflow

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience water damage from an overflowing appliance, call us and we'll be there to help ASAP!

Water damage to your home can quickly become a serious- and expensive- issue. Unfortunately, our appliances can be the source of extensive water damage. Sometimes, washing machine overflow or a leaking dishwasher are unavoidable. In many cases though, being proactive can prevent these disasters.

• If the problem is dishwasher overflow, it may be a detergent problem. You may have added too much soap or the wrong kind of detergent, in which case it’s a simple fix. Purchase soap that’s recommended by your dishwasher manufacturer and you will solve the problem.
• Your leaking dishwasher could be caused by a worn-out door gasket. If you are handy you can replace or clean the gasket yourself to stop the leak. If not, a plumber or appliance repair person can help.
• If it’s a faulty inlet valve or defective float assembly or switch, you may need to call a plumber. The inlet valve delivers water to the dishwasher. If it’s malfunctioning, you might notice water in the bottom of the dishwasher even if the appliance has not been used. The float in a dishwasher rises with the water level, signaling the float switch to turn off the water. If the float is stuck, the float switch will not be activated. If it is not stuck but the dishwasher is overflowing, the switch may need to be replaced.
• You may also need to call a plumber if your washing machine is leaking. Especially if you live in an older home, your drainpipe may not be equipped to handle the amount of water used by your modern washing machine. A plumber can clean out the drain, which will help for a few months. Your plumber may also suggest another solution, like installing a larger pipe, installing a pump, or installing a laundry sink so that the drain flow can be carefully monitored.
• A lint catcher or enzymes might help prevent drainpipe overflow. A wire mesh lint catcher keeps lint from clogging the drain, and enzymes will help clear soap scum out of your drain. For enzymes to be effective, you need to use them regularly, preferably every month. Pour the enzymes into your drain at night and rinse with hot water in the morning.
• You can use a drain snake as a preventive measure. Any time your drain starts running slowly, snake it out to remove any clogs. This is not difficult to do: you just push a drain snake into the drain and pull it back out.
• A front-loading washer may solve your washing machine problem. Because these washers use less water, they are less likely to overwhelm your drainpipe.

Regardless of why it happened, if your First Coast home is damaged by a leaky appliance or overflowing drain, call SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, or Ponte Vedra home back to preloss condition. A trusted leader in the water restoration industry, we’ve served our community for more than 40 years. Call (904) 246-6118 or contact us through our website.