Washing Machine Leaked Through the Ceiling: What to Do Right Now

Upstairs: stop the water

Most washers have two shutoff valves on the wall behind the machine: one for hot water and one for cold. Turning both of them off stops new water from reaching the washer.

1. 1

   Close both valves behind the washer

   Turn round handles clockwise until they stop. If you have levers, turn them a quarter turn so they sit crosswise to the pipe. If the valve is the part that’s leaking, or it won’t turn, don’t force it. Close your home’s main water valve instead.

2. 2

   Deal with the power safely

   Unplug the washer only if the plug, the outlet, and the floor where you’re standing are dry. If water has reached the outlet or the floor around it, don’t touch the plug. Turn off the circuit at the breaker panel instead, but only if you can reach the panel from dry ground. If water is near the panel, stay away from it and call an electrician or Idaho Power.

3. 3

   Stop using the drains if water came up the drain pipe

   If water spilled out of the drain pipe behind the washer, a clog may be the cause. Hold off on running sinks, showers, and the dishwasher until you know. If dirty water is also coming up in a tub, shower, or floor drain, the problem may be your main sewer line. See our guide to sewer backups.

Once the water is off, soak up what you can on the laundry room floor. The less water that sits there, the less soaks down into the ceiling below.

Downstairs: protect the room below

• Keep away from wet lights and fans. Don’t flip the switch for a light that’s dripping. The Electrical Safety Foundation International warns that electrical equipment that got wet can stay a shock and fire risk even after it dries. Turn off that circuit at the breaker if you can reach the panel from dry ground, and have an electrician check it before you use it again.
• Catch the water. If the ceiling isn’t sagging, put buckets under the drips and towels on the floor around them.
• Move your things. Get furniture, rugs, electronics, and anything paper or fabric out of the way.
• Take photos before you clean up. Get the ceiling, the floor, and anything that got wet.

For more on stains, drips, and sagging spots, see our guide to water coming through the ceiling.

Where the water came from

Knowing the cause helps you call the right person, and it matters for insurance. The timing is your best clue.

Supply hoses are a big one. The Connecticut Insurance Department, citing an insurance industry study, says a burst water supply line caused half of all water damage incidents involving washing machines. On the drain side, This Old House says the most common reason for a drain overflow is a blockage in the drain hose or standpipe.

Roto-Rooter lists clogged drain lines, damaged hoses, faulty inlet valves, overloading, and too much or the wrong detergent as common reasons a washer overflows.

Is washer water clean? Drying and mold

Not quite. Massachusetts’ public health guidance lists washing machine overflow as Category 2, or gray water, which can contain contamination that may cause illness. Wear rubber gloves when you clean up, and wash your hands afterward.

Time matters too. The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. The Massachusetts guidance adds that wallboard that hasn’t dried well within 48 hours should be cut out and thrown away.

• Pull up wet rugs and move them somewhere they can dry.
• Run fans and a dehumidifier in both rooms if it’s safe to use power there.
• Don’t paint over a water stain until you know the ceiling is dry.
• Watch for a musty smell, new stains, or spots that keep spreading.

Who to call

A plumber or appliance tech fixes what leaked. A restoration crew deals with the house: removing water, drying the floor, ceiling, and insulation, and taking out materials that can’t be saved.

Does insurance cover a washer leak?

Often, the water damage is covered when the leak was sudden, like a hose that burst. Slow leaks and worn-out parts are a different story. Your own policy has the final word.

The NAIC explains that homeowners policies generally cover damage from a sudden and accidental discharge of water. Washington State’s insurance commissioner adds that most policies don’t cover gradual leaks, because insurers usually treat them as maintenance problems. The Idaho Department of Insurance has tips on filing a home claim.

In a condo or townhome? If the water came from a neighbor’s washer, or from your washer into a neighbor’s unit, more than one policy may be involved. Amica suggests calling your own insurer first, then letting your condo association know, getting a copy of the bylaws or master policy for your insurer, and contacting the neighbor if they’re involved.

For the full process, see our guide to water damage insurance claims in Idaho.

Preventing the next leak

The Connecticut Insurance Department offers these tips:

• Check the supply hoses every 6 months for cracks, kinks, or blisters, especially near the ends.
• Replace the hoses every 5 years, as washer makers recommend.
• Consider braided stainless steel hoses.
• Turn the supply valves off when you’re not using the washer.
• Don’t run the washer when no one is home.

It also helps to keep the drain hose firmly hooked into the standpipe so it can’t pop out during the spin cycle.

Frequently asked questions