Main floor washing machine overflow protection

[Roborob57]

I am looking for a solution to protect against washing machine overflow.
My washing machine is on the main floor, just above the furnace room.
I am looking for some type of basin with drain to place the washer in. Is there such a product or am I to construct or build one

[giddonah]

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-27,GGLG:en&q=washing+machine+pan

go ahead an' laugh cole.

can we get a smilie added?
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/google.gif

[kadoka]

When was the last time someones washing machine over flowed? In my entire life I don't remember it ever happening to anyone I know.

[Roborob57]

thanks for the responses.
doh !! In all my searches on this subject I called it a basin. No wonder I never found it.
My bad, lol.

Instead of overflow I should have said catastrophic water failure not overflow.
Had it happen about five yrs ago. The supply hose came off. No drain. What a mess
:oops: :oops:
Thanks

[Cole]

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-27,GGLG:en&q=washing+machine+pan

go ahead an' laugh cole.

can we get a smilie added?
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/google.gif

:lol: :lol: Thats great.

I will see if I can get it added.

[HDNord]

When was the last time someones washing machine over flowed? In my entire life I don't remember it ever happening to anyone I know.Mine did 15 years ago. Water valve stuck and was not that uncommon per the repair guy.

Leaks in washers although not overflowing are very common. Bad pump, bad valve, bad hoses, or even a bad tub seal can make a machine leak.

Also very common is a hot or cold water fill hose bursting causing extensive damage. No overflow device that I know of would help much if a hose busts. It happened to me also 4 years ago, fortunately we were home so no damage occured, just a mess to clean up. That's why manufacturers recommend turning off the water to a machine when you are away.

Another common problem is either the drain hose coming out of the standing drain pipe or leaking at the machine connection. A washing machinge drain hose that comes out of the drain pipe could possibly still cause water damage in spite of having an overflow pan.

The only way I know of to be safe from water damage from a washer is to install it in the garage.

[giddonah]

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.home.repair/browse_thread/thread/60ed9ebb7d618d2/691745ec08b7084c%23691745ec08b7084c?sa=X&oi=groupsr&start=0&num=3

found via :google: (thanks for the smilie cole :D)

For awesome protection, you can plumb some pvc to either a drain line or to the outside just like they do for drip pans for air conditioners in attics.



man, I love that smilie :google: Wooo Hooo!!!

[Cole]

Dont thank me, thank Rich.

[giddonah]

Thanks Rich!!

:google: I might put this in my signature :lol:

[joelpat]

You can prevent a burst-hose-flood with a special valve controlled by a timer. The timer releases pressure on washing machine hoses when they're not being used and reduces the chance that they will burst.

The hoses are only pressurized when the washer is running.

[Roborob57]

:D
Thanks for the reply joelpat. I am going to look into this valve.
Should my local plumber know about this valve ??

[VALENT]

He should. Or you can go buy them at hd or lowes or most hardware stores can get them if they dont carry them.

[giddonah]

If *I've* heard of them, a plumber damn well should have :lol:

[joelpat]

You won't need a plumber. I imagine you could get one at HD or Lowes - though I didn't find any on their webpages.

The box plugs into the outlet and connects to the hot and cold water sources. The washer plugs into the box, electrical and water. When you want to run the washer, you start the timer on the box. That pressurizes the hoses.

Of course, you could just get stainless braided washer hoses. That would provide quite a bit of protection from a burst as well.

[Roborob57]

:) :) :)
I am pleasantly surprised at all of the info this forum provides...
Thank you all very much..
:wink: :wink:

[VALENT]

you know, joelpat, I agree with you about just spending the extra money on good hoses. But, that shut off assembly would also protect the connection to the washer and everything in the washer as far as the valve as well. I also noticed today at Sears that they have a much simpler solution which is simply a manual lever valve which turns on and off pressure to both the hot and cold lines with one lever-about 25 bucks.

[joelpat]

I agree that the machine remains unprotected, but what if the shutoff box fails? Isn't it connected with hoses as well? Just a thought... I'm not advocating one way or another.

[PAJJ]

check this out...
http://www.watts-intelliflow.com/default.htm