With winter in full swing all across North Vancouver & West Vancouver – many of us are bracing for cold temperatures. Sure enough, we can all get cozy under a warm blanket or brew some tea to stay comfortable.
But did you know your appliances can actually suffer a fair bit from the below-zero climate we’ve got going on?
In today’s post, we’re going to go over some of the dangers that cold temperatures pose to your household appliances, and what you can do at home to protect them from any potential failures.
Laundry Units & Clothes Washers
Most of us will definitely agree that having a washer in your home is basically a necessity. Most washers can run for years on end without the slightest hint of a problem.
But unbeknownst to most people, the cold temperatures we’ve got going on in the Lower Mainland of BC can actually cause some serious trouble for your laundry units.
In particular, the washing machine is the unit you should keep a close eye on.
At the end of the day, your washer is a water bearing appliance. It fills with water. And it also has to drain that water out. And there’s always a little bit of water in your washer’s tubing, even when it’s off.
So as the temperatures go sub-zero, and water starts to freeze up – you’ve got to make sure that the water sitting inside your washing machine doesn’t freeze over. If it does, your washer’s water lines, drain tubing, or even the pump itself may be damaged.
How To Prevent Washer Damage & Floods In The Winter
So now that we’ve covered some of the dangers of leaving your washer unattended in the winter – let’s talk about some of the things you can do in order to prevent these dangers from happening.
Tip #1 – Run The Washer
The biggest thing you’ll want to do in order to prevent these issues is to not leave the washer unused for long periods of time.
Running water doesn’t freeze as easily. And running your washer daily allows you to not only prevent cold snap or freezes but also helps you get that pesky laundry out of the way quicker. So it’s a win-win all around.
Tip #2 – Keep The House Warm
In addition to this, it’s also a good idea to keep your home warm. Try to aim for a comfortable temperature that won’t eat away at the utilities too much, but at the same time, allows you to keep your pipes and home warm.
Tip #3 – If Away, Winterize Your Washer
You may have heard about winterizing your irrigation in the past. But did you know that washing machines should also be winterized if you’re planning to leave for an extended period of time?
Let’s face it – no one wants to come home from Mexico to a flooded house. As such, it’s a good idea to winterize your washer any time you’re planning to be away for a while during the colder months.
Here’s what you’ll want to do:
- Disconnect the water supply hoses.
- Manually drain the washer out.
- Unplug the unit.
Pretty simple huh? And while these tips are small and quick – they’ll definitely help you avoid major damage the next time you’re leaving on vacation during the winter.
Closing Words
Washing machines, like any appliance, are prone to damage. And this is especially true during the winter months in North Vancouver. As the cold front rolls in, there are several key dangers that your laundry units will face.
Today we’ve shared some quick tips with you in order to help you prevent any damage from the cold to your washing machine this winter season.
And if you washer does go on the fritz – remember that we’re always here to help with our washing machine repair services in North Vancouver. Call us anytime, 8AM to 8PM Monday to Sunday and we’ll be happy to offer a same or next-day service call to help you get your laundry units sorted out.