Emergency guide · Direct answer first

Washing Machine Overflow: Stop the Water, Save the Floor

If a washing machine is overflowing, shut off its supply valves (usually two small valves behind the machine) and stop the cycle. Unplug the machine only if the floor is dry enough to do so safely, move wet laundry and boxes, and mop or towel the visible water. Then check whether water reached walls, wood flooring, or the floor below, because that is when professional drying matters.

Call Now (248) 617-0738 Find service in your area

Do this right away

The first steps, in order

01

Stop the cycle and shut the valves

Cancel the cycle, then close both supply valves behind the washer. If the machine is leaking from the hoses, this stops the flow.
02

Unplug safely

Only if the floor is dry. If the machine sits in water, turn off the breaker from a dry location instead and call for help.
03

Remove wet items

Towels, rugs, boxes, and laundry out of the puddle, and use towels and a mop to clear the floor.
04

Check the damage path

Water travels along floors and through walls to the floor below. Look for drips, stains, or buckling in nearby wood flooring.
05

Call if materials got wet

If drywall, baseboards, or wood floors absorbed water, professional extraction and drying prevent warping, swelling, and mold.

Why do washing machines overflow?

Common causes: a clogged or kinked drain hose that backs water up into the machine and over the top, failed fill hoses or valves, an over-sudsing load, or a failed door seal on front-loaders. Supply hoses also wear out and burst with age, which is why many plumbers recommend replacing them every five years or so.

Is a washer overflow covered by insurance?

Sudden, accidental discharge from an appliance is one of the most commonly covered water losses, but limits and exclusions vary by policy, and gradual damage from a slow leak is frequently denied. Document the date, stop the leak, mitigate, and confirm the details with your adjuster.