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Laundry Room Plumbing Tips and Maintenance

Most homes have a laundry room where a washer and dryer (and sometimes a sink) are kept – and most people probably don't give a second thought to the plumbing in theirs. But the laundry room can also be a frequent site of leaks and clogs that can cause major plumbing issues. Check out the following laundry room plumbing tips to keep your laundry room's plumbing system running efficiently.

LAUNDRY ROOM PLUMBING TIPS

  • Run the washing machine only when it has a full load.
  • Inspect washing machine hoses for signs of wear. Replace rubber hoses with stainless steel braided hoses. They last longer and are resistant to leaks and cracks.
  • Use a strainer on your washing machine hose. Hardware stores have strainers specially designed to fit laundry hoses.
  • Check exposed pipes under sinks for signs of leaks.
  • To prevent sewer gases from backing up into your home through your laundry sink drain or other infrequently used drains, periodically pour a bucket of water down the drain to keep the trap seal full.
  • Install a flood alarm to warn of water from the washing machine or water heater leaking from the appliance or overflowing sinks.
  • Consider replacing a worn-out washing machine with a more efficient front-load model.
  • Check your washing machine hoses for bulges or leaks. Replace any hose showing signs of weakness."

LAUNDRY ROOM CLOG TIPS

  • Ensure that all drains have strainers to keep hair, soap and debris from entering and clogging the drain lines.
  • Apply Roto-Rooter® Pipe Shield® to laundry drain lines once each month to keep lint and detergent scum from building up and causing clogs.

If you need washing machine service or some other laundry room plumbing assistance, Roto-Rooter has the professionals to help! Call 1-800-768-6911 or make an appointment online at your convenience.

LAUNDRY ROOM MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

In busy households, the laundry room can be one of the most regularly trafficked parts of the house. Washing machines and dryers carry a heavy burden in keeping a household running, and so does the plumbing associated with these appliances. Ignoring or neglecting regular preventative maintenance in the laundry room can lead to the inconvenience of having to use a laundromat at best, or messy household floods at worst. Follow Roto-Rooter’s simple checklist for laundry room maintenance to keep things running smoothly.

CLEAN DRYER LINT

Clean the dryer lint trap after every single load.. A full lint trap will prevent clothes from drying thoroughly, requiring extra cycles and using extra energy. Plus, excess lint is a fire hazard. You should also have your dryer vent cleaned on a regular basis. If you dry three to five loads of wash a week, clean it once a year. If you dry several loads a day you should clean it every three to six months.

USE STRAINERS OVER THE DRAINS

Wet lint can accumulate over time, clogging your pipes. Put strainers over all your drains, including the washing machine hoses. Specially designed strainers that fit over washing machine hoses are relatively inexpensive and can be found in the plumbing section of a hardware store or through online retailers like Amazon.

FLUSH THE P-TRAP

Located near every drain is a P-trap. This u-shaped pipe is lower than the rest of the pipe. It’s designed to retain water, creating a seal that prevents gasses from escaping into the room and causing odors. Drains that aren't used very often can begin to smell as the water evaporates. If you smell odors coming from your floor drains, pour a bucket of water into it to create a fresh seal in the P-trap.

CHECK THE HOT AND COLD HOSES

Examine the hot and cold water hoses that connect to your washing machine. If there are any signs of cracks or splits, replace them immediately. You can find these parts in the plumbing section of a hardware store. You may want to consider updating older rubber hoses with braided, stainless steel hoses that are burst-resistant.

USE A SENSOR VALVE TO PROTECT AGAINST FLOODING

A sensor valve will help protect you against extensive damage from a flood. The valve attaches to the water source and has a sensor on the floor. When it detects water it will automatically turn off the water. Roto-Rooter plumbers can install one for you if you'd like, or you can purchase one at a hardware store and install it yourself.

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