The short answer: check your washing machine hoses at least once a year, and replace them every 5 to 7 years even if they look fine (Triple-I). Replace any hose right away if it's bulging, cracked, frayed or dripping at the fittings. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is a little stricter: look every 6 months and replace at 5 years. If your washer's manual gives its own interval, follow that.
It's one of the quickest jobs on our room-by-room home maintenance checklist, and one of the few that guards against a really big repair bill.
Why it matters
As long as the valves are open, the hoses behind your washer hold water under pressure all day, every day, whether the machine is running or not. Maytag notes that wear, installation problems and poor water quality can all break a hose down over time.
When a hose lets go, it can keep pouring until someone turns the water off. Triple-I's figures show water damage and freezing claims averaged $15,400 per claim in 2019 to 2023, with about 1.5 claims a year for every 100 insured homes. Those figures cover all kinds of water damage, not just washer hoses, but they show what's at stake for a part that costs far less.
Rubber or braided stainless?
| Hose type | What it is | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Plain rubber | A reinforced rubber hose with metal fittings | The basic option. Watch closely for bulges and cracks, and replace on schedule. |
| Braided stainless steel | A rubber or plastic inner hose wrapped in a stainless steel braid | IBHS suggests considering these. The inner hose still ages, so keep checking and replacing them too. |
How to check your hoses (2 minutes)
- Ease the washer forward far enough to see both hoses and the valves.
- Run your eyes and hand along each hose. Look for bulges or blisters, cracks, fraying and kinks. IBHS notes that trouble often shows up near the connections.
- Check each fitting for drips, damp spots, rust or crusty mineral buildup.
- Look at the floor under and behind the machine for water stains.
- When you push the washer back, leave about 3 to 4 inches behind it so the hoses don't kink (IBHS).
If a hose fails any of these checks, replace it now rather than waiting for its date.
How to replace washing machine hoses
- Buy the right pair. Check the length you need and that the fittings match your valves and washer. The washer manual usually lists the right part.
- Turn off both valves, hot and cold, and unplug the washer.
- Get ready for water. Put a towel down and keep a small bucket handy, because the old hoses will still hold some.
- Unscrew the old hoses at the valves first, then at the back of the washer, and drain them into the bucket.
- Check the rubber washers are seated inside each end of the new hoses.
- Connect hot to hot and cold to cold. IBHS suggests tightening by hand, then about two-thirds of a turn more with pliers. Don't overtighten.
- Turn the valves on slowly and look for drips. Run a short cycle, then check again.
- Write the date on a piece of tape on the hose, so you know when the next pair is due.
Turn the valves off when you're away
Triple-I suggests shutting off the water to the washer before a trip, not leaving the house while the washer or dishwasher is running, and knowing where your main water shutoff is. IBHS goes a step further and suggests turning the washer valves off whenever the machine isn't in use. If yours are stiff round handles, a lever-style valve makes that much easier.
If someone is minding the house while you're gone, add the main shutoff to your house sitter checklist so they can find it fast.
Washer and dryer upkeep (printable)
| Job | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Check washer hoses and fittings | At least yearly; every 6 months is better | Triple-I, IBHS |
| Replace washer hoses | Every 5 to 7 years, or right away if damaged | Triple-I, IBHS |
| Run a washer cleaning cycle | Every 30 days or 30 washes, whichever comes first | Maytag |
| Wipe a front-loader's door seal and leave the door open | After washing | Maytag |
| Check the drip pan, if you have one | Every load | Maytag |
| Clean the dryer lint screen | Every load | USFA, Maytag |
| Deep clean the lint trap and screen | Every 6 months | Maytag |
| Check the dryer vent for crushing or blockages, and that the outside flap opens | Regularly; follow your dryer manual | USFA |
Maytag suggests a washer cleaner tablet or a hot cycle for the monthly clean, and advises against vinegar inside the machine. For other parts around the house that wear out on a schedule, see how often to replace household items.
Questions people ask
Are braided stainless steel washer hoses better?
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety suggests considering reinforced braided stainless steel hoses. They still age, so keep them on the same check and replace schedule unless the hose maker says otherwise.
How do I know my washer hoses need replacing?
Look for bulges, blisters, cracks, fraying, kinks, drips or corrosion at the fittings. Replace a hose that shows any of these right away, and replace all of them every 5 to 7 years even if they look fine (Triple-I).
Should I turn off the washer valves when I'm not using it?
Yes, if you can. IBHS suggests turning the washer supply valves off when the machine isn't in use, and Triple-I says to shut off the washer's water before you travel. A lever-style valve makes it a one-second job.
What length of washer hose do I need?
Measure from each valve to the washer's inlet with the machine where it will sit, about 3 to 4 inches from the wall. Pick a length with a little slack so the hose doesn't stretch or kink, and check your washer manual for the right part.
Does home insurance cover a burst washing machine hose?
It depends on your policy. Triple-I says standard policies generally cover sudden water damage such as a burst pipe, but terms and exclusions vary, so check your policy or ask your agent.
How often should I run a washer cleaning cycle?
Maytag says every 30 days or every 30 washes, whichever comes first. It suggests a washer cleaner tablet or a hot cycle rather than vinegar.
Let Tagwell remember for you
Add this to your home in a tap, get a reminder when it's due, and keep the part details on file. Free to start.
Sources
- Triple-I: How to protect your home from water damage
- Triple-I: Facts + Statistics, Homeowners and renters insurance
- IBHS water damage prevention guide (Connecticut Insurance Department)
- Maytag: Maintaining your washer and dryer
- U.S. Fire Administration: Clothes dryer fire safety
General guidance only. Follow your manufacturer's instructions, and call a licensed professional for gas, electrical, roofing or anything that feels unsafe.