Will my washing machine work after a flood?

Experiencing a flood can be extremely stressful and damaging. As you deal with all the mess and destruction, one question you might have is “Will my washing machine still work after getting flooded?” The good news is, there’s a chance your washer can recover if you take the right steps.

Why Floodwaters Damage Washing Machines

When floodwaters get into your washing machine, they can cause a number of problems:

• Rust and corrosion – If the floodwaters contained any chemicals, sewage, or saltwater, these contaminants can start corroding the inner and outer metal components of your washer. This leads to rust and damage over time.
• Clogged pipes and hoses – Mud, silt, pieces of debris and even insects can get lodged in the pipes and hoses that connect to your washing machine, blocking the flow of water.
• Damaged electrical parts and circuits – If the floodwaters reached the internal electrical system of your washer, such as the motor, control board, sensors or wires, these parts can short circuit and fail to operate.
• Build up of sediment and growth of mold – Standing floodwaters allow mold, bacteria and dirt to accumulate inside your washing machine, leading to foul odors and further damage.

So as you can see, floods introduce all kinds of moisture, chemicals and contaminants that can interfere with your appliance’s operation. But don’t lose hope!

First Steps After Flooding: Prevent Further Damage

Before doing anything else with your washing machine after a flood, be sure to follow these steps:

1. Do NOT turn on the washer – With all that water exposure, operating the washer could short circuit and completely fry the internal parts. Leave it turned off.

2. Unplug from the electrical outlet – Even turned off, home appliances can still carry electric current as long as they’re plugged in. Unplug it to cut power and avoid shock/fire hazards.

3. Drain out all the water – Tip the washer over on its side or back and allow all the trapped floodwaters to completely drain out. This might take a few days.

4. Start drying it thoroughly – Just like your home, the faster you can dry out your washer, the less damage mold and rust will cause. Use fans, dehumidifiers, and open air circulation.

The Washing Machine Flood Damage Assessment

After following those initial steps and giving your washer a few days to dry out, it’s time to take a closer inspection of the flood damage. Here’s what to look for:

• Rust spots – Check the outer drum, metal panels, under the lid, and the base for any new rust coloration or corroded pitting. Rust means metal components got contaminated and oxidized.
• Residue deposits or debris – Use a flashlight to look closely for dried muddy residue, silt deposits, pieces of debris, and leftover dirt or insects clinging to inner pipes and hoses. Any blockages need to be cleaned out.
• Bad odors – Give your washer a good sniff test. If you detect rancid, foul or mildewy smells, that means there is still leftover grime or mold festering inside that needs extensive cleaning to eliminate.
• Damage to electrical parts – Do you see any frayed or exposed wires? Do the control panel, power cord, or electrical conduit look blackened, cracked or burned? If floodwaters reached electrical components, they may be too damaged to operate safely. Electrical repairs or full replacement parts may be needed.

By thoroughly inspecting each area of your appliance, you’ll know whether DIY recovery is possible or if you need to call in a professional repair service.

DIY Washing Machine Cleaning and Repair

If your inspection shows your washer mainly needs a very thorough deep cleaning to scrub out all signs of flood contamination, and no electrical components seem too damaged, consider tackling these DIY cleaning steps:

1. Disinfect every surface – Mix water with disinfectants, antibacterial cleaners, bleach, hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and scrub down every single surface, crevice, pipe and hose until spotless inside and out. Floodwaters carry bacteria. The last thing you want is to seal mold and pathogens into your machine.

2. Dry out residual moisture – Even after draining, there are pockets of residual moisture deep in the machine. Use fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers around the appliance for 1-2 weeks until completely moisture-free.

3. Swap out rusted parts – If certain metal drums or panels now have corrosion and surface rust, replace just those parts so the rust doesn’t spread. Check websites for your washer brand to find replacement parts. Watch DIY videos to learn how to safely swap them out.

4. Test and retest – Once fully cleaned and dried, plug your washer back in and connect hoses to run test cycles while watching closely for any leaks, odd sounds or errors. It might take several test runs before all the hidden dirt clears out and everything operates normally. But once it runs flawlessly without problems, congratulations! With some elbow grease and patience your flood-damaged washer lives on!

When To Call A Washing Machine Repair Service

While many washers recover just fine with thorough DIY cleaning and minor part replacements, there are times when flood damage is beyond an amateur fix. Call the pros for:

• Electrical issues – If floodwaters definitely soaked internal electrical components and now the machine won’t turn on or shows electrical errors, stop trying to get it working. There may be dangerous electrical vulnerabilities or hidden short circuits that professionals need to properly diagnose and repair.
• Extensive rust and corrosion – Surface level rust is easy to sand down and touch up with anti-rust paint. But if the rust has started pitting big ugly holes straight through metal and vital components, the corrosion may be past the point of return without needing to weld in entirely new replacement parts.
• Major blockages in plumbing lines – You snaked the hoses and ran hot water, detergent, bleach, vinegar, etc. but you still can’t seem to fully clear stubborn debris clogs? The pro’s high pressure jets and drain clearing equipment are more equipped to blast out whatever is stuck way down inside pipes or the pump.
• Lingering foul odors – If you cleaned like crazy but a general “sewage” smell still permeates from your washer, bacteria and mold have established themselves in hard-to-reach crevices. A meticulous sanitization process by washing machine experts who know exactly how to take apart and fully disinfect every inch of the unit is likely your only shot at ridding the stench for good.
• Major physical damage – Say a heavy object fell on your washer during the flood, badly dinging it up or cracking open leaks in the outer drum or panels that you aren’t adept at pounding back into shape and patching up. The technician’s skills with equipment and materials for smoothing and welding metal impairment goes beyond the average DIY abilities.

When you still smell odors, spot leaks, hear rattling or see error codes after all your own repair efforts, avoid frustration and potential injury hazards. Calling washing machine repair men is worth the cost for your safety and peace of mind when floods compromise an appliance beyond what you can handle on your own.

References

AC Repair Company. “Will My Washing Machine Work After a Flood?” AC Repair Company, 29 Oct. 2021, https://acrepaircompany.com/will-my-washing-machine-work-after-a-flood/.

This Old House. “How to Clean Up a Washing Machine After a Flood.” This Old House, https://www.thisoldhouse.com/appliances/22009027/how-to-clean-up-a-washing-machine-after-a-flood.

Whirlpool. “Washing Machine – Flood Damaged.” Whirlpool, https://www.whirlpool.com/owners/troubleshooting/washers-flood-damage.html.