Does a washing machine need protection against leaks?

A puddle under a working automatic machine is not only an unpleasant phenomenon, but also quite dangerous. A leak can turn into a flood, which will damage not only your apartment, but also the property of your neighbors. It’s not for nothing that modern equipment has a system that protects equipment from leakage. Is complete protection against leaks in a washing machine really necessary? How effective is such a system? Let's look into this issue.

Why did the fluid leak?

So what could cause a machine to leak? Sometimes it is a malfunction, in some cases it is a violation by the user of the rules for operating the equipment. The most common causes of leaks:

• an uneven or incompletely screwed garbage filter;
• clogging or breakdown of the powder receptacle;
• damage to pipes (drain, filler and others);
• crack in the tank;
• loosening at the point where the drain or inlet hose is connected to the housing;
• too much pressure in the water supply;
• wear of the hatch door cuff;
• loose clamps;
• leaky drum seal.

To avoid puddles under the washing machine, it is better to think about the safety of the automatic washing machine when purchasing. It is advisable to choose models equipped with a device that blocks leaks. If the device does not provide such an option, it is recommended to install the locking elements yourself.

Types of protective equipment

When choosing a washing machine, you need to pay attention to how exactly it is protected from leaks. A safety system is a set of mechanisms that immediately detect leaks and are activated in the event of an accident.Not all automatic machines have locking devices. Washing equipment is divided into three groups:

• fully protected units;
• partially protected equipment;
• machines unprotected from leaks.

Machines without protection either have no tray at all or are just a regular plastic panel.

Therefore, if the tank cracks or one of the pipes becomes unusable, the water will simply flow outside the housing. Modern machines equipped with a special bottom will respond in time to an emergency leak and notify the user about it.

Brands Zanussi, Ariston, Bosch, Electrolux, Asco, Siemens, Samsung and others now produce washing equipment that is fully or partially protected from leaks. This ensures safe operation of the equipment.

For example, almost all Bosch washing machines are equipped with a double solenoid valve for greater reliability. It is located on a two-layer flexible hose. The protective mechanism is controlled by an electronic module.

Ariston automatic machines are equipped with a special tray with a float. If water accumulates in it, the sensor is triggered. The protective system blocks the water intake and starts draining.

Asco washing machines have safety sensors. The devices are located in 16 of the most vulnerable places. When a leak is detected, the machine immediately activates the drain and stops drawing water. Similar modules are present in LG machines - the “brain” also starts the pump and closes the inlet valve.

Description of protection

Many people, reading the description of the technical characteristics of a washing machine, do not understand what the expression “partial protection against leaks” means. In fact, it's simple. This means that the machine is equipped with a small container for collecting liquid.The tank is usually made of plastic, and a float is placed in it. The sensor that monitors the fullness of the water collector is connected by a wire to an electrical switch.

When there is a leak, water collects in the tank, the float floats up and notifies the “brain” of the danger, and the protective device activates the drain.

Even with partial protection against leaks, the risk of flooding of the room is still high. If the problem is not detected in time, water may overflow the edges of the container. In some cases, the pump simply will not have time to empty the tank before a puddle forms on the floor.

Automatic machines equipped with specially designed inlet hoses are more reliable. There are three types of pipes:

• spring;
• magnetic;
• electromagnetic.

The spring inlet hose at one end (the one that connects to the water pipe) has a special “eye”, inside of which there is a plunger secured by a spring. When the absorbent swells, the “spiral” is activated. The plunger is pushed out and the water flow stops.

Magnetic valves function the same way, but instead of springs, the protective device is equipped with a pair of magnets. In normal mode, they push off, thereby holding the plunger. When there is a leak, the resistance of the poles decreases and the blocking mechanism is activated. Such a device must be changed after each operation.

When the hose is of the electromagnetic type, the plunger ensures that the valve opens when the machine is turned on. If you turn off the power to the equipment, the water supply will automatically shut off. The device will help if a water pipe breaks, hoses are damaged, or foam comes out of the washing machine.

This incomplete protection system will be ineffective, for example, if the tank leaks. The water supply will stop, but the drain will not start.Such washing machines do not have a tray, which means that if a puddle spreads across the floor, the machine will not notice it.

Automatic machines with full protection against leaks are equipped with a hose with a solenoid valve and a special tray with a float.

AquaStop technology is the most reliable to date. The blocking device is activated when the tank leaks, when foam comes out of the drum, and when any internal pipes are damaged.

Leak prevention

In most cases, it is constant violations of the operating rules of an automatic washing machine that lead to the equipment starting to leak. Sharp objects left in pockets can damage the hatch seal, pierce the tank, and, accordingly, cause a leak. Preventing problems is much easier than repairing a “home assistant”. To minimize the risk of leaks, you must:

• clean the detergent dispenser in a timely manner;
• check the pockets of things to ensure that no foreign objects get into the drum;
• wash clothes with metal elements, as well as bras with underwires, in special bags;
• use only high-quality washing products intended specifically for automatic machines;
• Strictly observe the permissible loading rate and do not exceed the established maximum weight.

If the inlet hose of your washing machine is not equipped with a safety system, be sure to turn off the tap on the pipe responsible for the water supply after finishing washing. Better yet, replace the hose with a new one that can block the water flow if it leaks.

It is better to connect a hose with a safety valve to a washing machine with a tray instead of the usual one - this way you can independently achieve complete protection against leaks.

It is very important to try to prevent leaks. Therefore, when purchasing, it is better to pay attention to washing machines equipped with a security mechanism. Of course, the ideal option would be a model with a comprehensive protection system. It will provide the highest possible level of reliability.

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