Washer flood prevention valves

[NottinghamJon]

Hi,

Having had a washer flood in the past, I was thinking about fitting a leak sensor/control unit/motorised valve setup, along the lines of this:
http://www.safehomeproducts.com/shp2/sm/stop-water-leak.asp?dir=SHP2
(for a cold fill machine, I think the one they call a Hot Water Heater Valve (NPT) would suffice). Detailed product description is at http://www.safehomeproducts.com/SHP2/data/manuals/FloodStop_34NPT.pdf

Does anyone have any experience or opinion about these? Is there a UK equivalent available, or would I have to buy from the US and source a suitable 240v transformer?

As far as I can see, the main benefit is that they can prevent problems from (albeit uncommon) burst hoses alongside any faults with the appliance itself.

Any advice would be great. Thanks,
Jon.

[iadom]

Re: Washer flood prevention valves

I wouldn’t waste your money, by the time you have paid for the unit, shipping & transformer you will have laid out a considerable amount of money. If you do source from the US then warranty on the goods should they fail may be also be a problem.

I am not personally aware of a UK alternative but there may well be one.

My advice would be to make sure your house insurance is always up to date. 😉

Jim.

[NottinghamJon]

Re: Washer flood prevention valves

My advice would be to make sure your house insurance is always up to date.

Fair point – it is, and they’re always forthcoming over repairs if we have a problem, but the floor runs right through under the kitchen units and continues on through two more rooms so I’d really rather avoid the upheaval of having to replace the whole lot in the unlikely event of it getting flood damaged. Just wondering whether I can spend £50+postage now (which is the amount of the policy excess) and save myself a load of hassle.

As you point out, however, if it stops working then maybe I’ll end up having paid £50 and still getting hassle.

I’m really not sure whether it’s a good idea at all, so I am really interested to hear people’s views.

Thanks,
Jon.

[aqualectric]

Re: Washer flood prevention valves

The most common leak we come across working on machines daily is an outlet standpipe overfilling due to a blockage. The machine will continue to pump out gallons of water all over the floor and the water will probably be dirty to boot.
Hose bursts are very rare as the inlet hoses are reinforced. Checking the grit traps in the back of the valves (remove the inlet hoses and pull out with a pair of pliers: clean and refit) is a much more effective way of guarding against floods from valves that jam open with grit. (again, far more common than burst hoses).
Keeping the filter at the front of the machine clean (if fitted) will also help to avoid problems. Turning off the taps after each wash will prevent any filling overnight. And if you suspect your machine is leaking, get it checked by an engineer ASAP. Being proactive is best.
If you take the above steps you can reduce the risk to negligible at most. Beyond that, then I fully agree with Jim – that is where your house insurance comes in. 😉

HTH,

Steve.

[NottinghamJon]

Re: Washer flood prevention valves

Yes, you’re probably right. The last flood I had was caused by a pipe to the pressure switch which had been rubbing against the tub and had worn through. There was no warning, I just came downstairs one morning (half an hour after the wash had finished) to find the kitchen flooded. I mopped it up and it was all fine, but if the water had sat there for a couple of hours longer it might have been a different story. It was all down to an unlikely set of circumstances, I was probably just rather unfortunate.

I suppose that if you had a blocked outlet then at least these valves would operate after the wash water was pumped out and prevent it filling for the rinses.

In any case, I’ll make sure the insurance premium is always paid on time 😉

Thanks
Jon.

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