Washer floods usually come from a burst supply hose, a clogged or loose drain hose, or a failed pump or door seal. A burst supply hose is the worst case, because it keeps flowing at full water pressure until the valve is closed.
1. Stop the water and power
- Turn the washer off. If water is around the outlet or you would have to stand in water, switch off the circuit at the breaker first.
- Close the hot and cold valves behind the washer. If they will not close, shut the main water valve.
2. Remove the water
Use towels, a mop or a wet vac. Drain water that came out of the washer drain may be dirty (gray water), so wear gloves and wash up afterward.
3. Check where it went
- Look under the machine and along baseboards in nearby rooms.
- In a second-floor laundry room, check the ceiling below for stains or drips.
- Laminate and engineered wood can trap water underneath and swell later.
4. Document and prevent
Photograph the hose and the damage. Many people replace rubber hoses with braided stainless ones and add a drip pan or leak sensor.
When to call for help
Call if water went under flooring, into walls or through to a ceiling below. If you want a professional to take over, call (813) 574-3203 to be connected with a local water damage restoration company. The call is free; any work is agreed directly with the company.
Local flood risks, storm history and county resources: Orlando, Tampa, Boca Raton, or find your city.
General information, not legal or insurance advice. Check your policy and official sources.
Frequently asked questions
Is washer water clean or contaminated?
Water from a supply hose is usually clean. Water from the drain hose or tub during a cycle is gray water and can contain detergents and bacteria, so it should be cleaned up with gloves and porous materials it soaked may need removal.
Why is my floor still wet days after the leak?
Water can soak into subfloor, under laminate, or behind baseboards where fans do not reach. A moisture meter reading is the reliable way to know it is dry.
More guides
- The first 24 hours after water damage
- How a Florida water damage insurance claim works
- What affects the cost of water damage restoration
- How to choose a water damage restoration company
- Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Florida?
- Flood vs. water damage claims in Florida (NFIP explained)
- Mold after a hurricane: a Florida homeowner's guide
- Water heater burst or leaking: what to do right now
- Ceiling leaking after rain: what to do
- AC drain line leaking: stop the water damage
- Slab leak signs in Florida homes
- Burst pipe: what to do in the first hour
- Sewage backup: cleanup safety and what to do
- Roof leak during a hurricane or tropical storm