Come back---COME BACK---where is everybody going?

     I know this blog is going to start a mad dash to go and check your own washing machines. 

     Wait---Come back Barbara & Leslie----I haven't told you what to look for yet.

     Seriously though, it is quite common to find leaks behind the washing machine.  With all of the "dancing around" that some washing machines do, the use of rubber type hoses and drains that get stopped up----there are plenty of opportunities for leaks to happen.  A very tiny leak can cause a lot of damage because they happen in a space that rarely gets checked by homeowners and the leaking can go undetected for a long time.  (This is evidenced by the tons of missing socks and other clothing frequently seen by inspectors behind the washer and dryer.)

     This picture is of the washer connections, and shows what can happen from a very tiny leak at the valve stem of the cold water shut-off.  It never leaked enough to drain under the washer and out onto the floor, but instead soaked the wall board and most likely caused damage inside the wall.

       This kind of damage requires the obvious removal of all the damaged surface materials but it also requires further evaluation (when the wall is opened up) as to the extent of hidden damage.  Proper repairs will require "responsible" removal and disposal of the obviously moldy materials.

     OK---now you can all go look.

Charles Buell 

     PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed) all  pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.