Washer Hose History
WASHING MACHINE HOSE FAILURES: AN INSIDE REPORT
HOW AMERICAN CONSUMERS AND INSURERS ARE GETTING SOAKED
By Steve Vargo, Founder/President
FLOODCHEK CORPORATION
The insurance industry estimates that washing machine hose failures are responsible for more than $200 million a year in property losses. American consumers are misinformed, or misled by washing machine manufacturers, their suppliers, and resellers, who promote an array of failure prone washing machine hoses. Many plumbers and parts resellers are not familiar with hose and coupling technology. They are aware of the damage those black OEM hoses cause, because they sell identical replacements as well as other designs. They may offer consumers advice based solely on reading a package’s questionable, often ridiculous advertising claims. They may advise paying more for maybe a better hose. They really don’t know, and what does it matter? They presume all washer hoses can fail one way or another, anyway. Either way, they profit by a sale and/or installation charges.
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Hoses
Substandard and unsafe products are often the result of cutting design & production costs.
Most types of washer hoses fail at, or within a few inches of the coupling, especially the common black OEM washer hose. It most often bursts where the coupling is crimped, or attached to the hose. A washer hose coupling is basically the same design as those found on a garden hose. A hose coupling has three metal components. The nut, or swivel, is the round, threaded part that attaches the hose to a washer’s inlet valve on one end and the water supply valve on the other end. The second is called an insert, or stem, that forms a metal tube that is “inserted” into the hose. The third component is the ferrule, or collar, positioned below the swivel and over the very end of the hose. The ferrule is then crimped, compressing the hose between the ferrule and insert locking it in place.
Over time, chemicals and minerals naturally found in water can easily corrode and rust the inexpensive, light metal coupling, inside and out. The corroded insert placed inside the hose becomes jagged and sharp. The washing machine’s vibration and movement causes the jagged leading edge of the insert to gradually cut through the hose’s inner tube, allowing the pressurized water to escape and migrate between the tube and outer cover, forming a walnut size bubble, that bursts, creating a soggy, often expensive mess. With 70 pounds of water pressure, a burst hose can discharge 600 gallons of water per hour, weighing some 5,000 pounds, or the weight of a loaded Chevy truck. Imagine this happening while you’re sleeping through the night, away for the weekend, or on vacation.
Manufacturers caution owners to shut off the water supply when not using the machine and to replace the hoses regularly ever 3-5 years. That’s good advice, perhaps, but very few owners comply, or are even aware of it. Are these manufacturers simply good corporate citizens keeping the consumer’s best interest in mind? Okay, maybe they are, sorta, just a tad. Are they indirectly attempting to reduce their legal exposure? Are they trying to limit their defective product liability, which might somehow reduce court ordered judgments against them when a hose fails within that 3-5 year window? Yes to both questions. Are you surprised? Read on.
Manufacturers and their hose suppliers simply have no incentive to provide safe, durable, long lasting hoses with their washers. Millions of washing machines are produced annually and their cost accountants have done their work well. After settling vigorously defended product liability lawsuits in and out of court, profit is still realized in OEM and aftermarket sales of millions of pairs of these cost engineered (read “cheaper”) hoses. Providing a durable hose would increase production costs by millions of dollars and provide no competitive advantage. They profit much more by not offering a safer hose to consumers. They’re quite aware that an insurance company will only sue a manufacturer and supplier when the amounts are worth going after. They’re not going to spend $15,000 in legal fees to recover $10,000. The larger awards that manufacturers and their hose suppliers do pay are considered the cost of doing business. Consumers and their insurers continue to suffer increasing losses.
“The emperor’s new hose”
Before the flexible connector was developed, residential water supply lines were routinely “hard plumbed”, meaning a plumber had to size, cut, flare, fit and solder a copper line in place. Hard plumbing provided durability and safety for homeowners, but quality costs, and the cost cutters wanted a cheaper alternative.
A flexible rubber connector, with an easily attached universal fitting on each end, and available in various lengths was developed. Soon after it’s introduction, owners complained that the black rubber connector was unsightly. It didn’t match the porcelain and chrome in a bathroom, or wherever it was visible. In response, the connectors were jacketed by silvery braided steel wire, which was also available in decorator gold. They became visually appealing to otherwise unsuspecting consumers and promoted by economy minded developers, contractors and resellers. Production costs were soon reduced by replacing the original 2 ply rubber hose (like the OEM hose) with an unreinforced single rubber tube. Production costs were reduced further by replacing the rubber tubing for plastic. They were comparatively inexpensive, easy to install, and looked snappy. These new, increasingly profitable connectors, gradually created a profitable aftermarket for retailers, impressed do-it-your-selfers with their economy and ease of installation, and didn’t require the services of a repair plumber. What’s not to love?
It wasn’t long before someone came up with an idea to expand the connector product line with yet another “innovative” idea. By increasing the connector’s tube inner diameter to 3/8”, increasing the lengths to 4 to 6 feet, and attaching the same coupling used on OEM hoses on each end, the braided wire washing machine inlet hose was born. Bingo! It was soon accepted by an unsuspecting public, and more than a few plumbers and appliance repairman, as a welcome replacement for the infamous OEM hose. They were led to believe that the steel braid somehow kept the plastic tube under it from making a bubble, thus adding protection. That’s simply not true!
But alas, they do fail. The coupling can be pulled or blown off, while that pretty wire can have loose ends that puncture the plastic inner tube. In my opinion, it’s a second generation bad idea. (Tell us you read this sentence and you’ll receive a 15% discount toward the purchase of a single pair of Floodchek hoses. Certain conditions apply.) The braid is purely cosmetic and adds no strength to the hose’s construction, but does resist a vandal’s knife or razor, as advertised. Despite claims to the contrary, the “stainless steel” wire braid oxidizes when subjected to chloramine, an increasingly popular water purifier. Loose wire ends can
puncture the weak inner tube.
Why do we here at FLOODCHEK, with good reason, wryly refer to the braided wire hose as “The emperor’s new hose?” It “looks” so much better, and with all that steel wire, it must be stronger than OEM hoses. Uninformed consumers and retailers really perceive these hoses as superior. Even I admit they look pretty snazzy. The facts simply do not support their perception. As in the emperor’s new clothes, perception trumps reality.
There’s even a plastic braided hose that tries to mimic the real steel braiding just mentioned. More cost cutting. Since it’s minimally constructed and cheaper than stainless steel braid, the profit margin’s better. Who cares about product safety, when increased profits are overriding factors? Experienced vandals won’t be fooled, however, and it’s easily cut. A third generation bad idea with a General Electric brand boasting a couple of seals of approval. Would a consumer notice the difference? Would you?
“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of intelligent effort.” John Ruskin
In 1989, I managed a 40 story luxury condominium in Hawaii. I experienced first hand how much destruction and misery a burst washing machine could cause when it ruptured late one night, causing more than $200,000 in property damage to 20 apartments from the 34th to the 17th floor. The water flowed undetected for at least several hours, until an early riser got out of bed at 5:30 a.m. and put his feet onto a soaked carpet. Big headache! It may well happen again if the managers and directors didn’t find a solution.
The first idea was to retrofit the washer hoses in each of the 400 apartments on a regularly scheduled maintenance cycle, say every three years. This was before the days when manufacturers thought the same. Such a program would be expensive and difficult to implement. Purchasing, scheduling, and installing 400 pairs of hoses would be no mean feat to repeat every 3 years. There had to be a better program.
I searched for a high quality, longer lasting washing machine hose that would not have to be changed every 3 years. I purchased and tested every hose available, including various steel braided designs, only to conclude that a superior washer hose didn’t exist.
Familiarized with industrial grade hose and coupling design, I needed a prototype. It would have the same serviceable 12 to 14 year life of a washing machine and never have to be replaced. My concept was rather straightforward. I wanted to assemble the highest quality machined brass couplings available with the strongest hose I could find. It would be quality engineered, NOT cost engineered (read “cheap”).
The result of my efforts was the FLOODCHEK high security washing machine inlet hose. Floodchek hoses are guaranteed to for 20 years or the life of the washing machine. There’s no need to shut off the supply valves when the machine’s not in use. Floodchek is built to take it. In 20 years not a single Floodchek hose has ever failed. Floodchek enjoys a ZERO percent failure rate!
Celebrating a 20 year perfect safety record, FLOODCHEK hoses protect tens of thousands single family residences and high-rise condominiums from Honolulu to Hartford. Mechanical engineers specify FLOODCHEK as original equipment on high-rise buildings. Insurance agents purchase Floodchek and recommend them to their clients. We’re pleased to announce that the Whirlpool Corporation has chosen FLOODCHEK as original equipment on the new Kitchen Aid Pro Laundry washing machines. Google KHWV01RSS, scroll down to “features” and read the third bullet point. FLOODCHEK, the engineer’s choice. “You wouldn’t put recaps on a Ferrari, would you?”, said one. An accurate analogy and well received compliment.
“The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
A 5 foot pair of standard O.E.M. hoses retails for about $14.00 and should be replaced every 3 to 5 years, depending on what “expert” you listen to. Braided steel hoses cost up to $30.00 or more and should be replaced, because they only have a 10 year “limited” warranty and may not last the life of a washer. It’s unclear just how often, since so many designs and styles are flooding the market, pun intended. FLOODCHEK hoses have a suggested retail price of $39.95, need never be replaced and have never failed, in this our 20th year.
Your choices: Replace 2 or 3 pairs of hoses over the life of your washer and still be at a risk, or install a pair of FLOODCHEK hoses and get on with your life for the next 20, or even, 30 years. And we’re glad to introduce it to you. For those that rely on the old cliché “We don’t have to worry, we’re insured”, be aware that after that consumer pays a $500.00 deductible on a $10,000.00 loss, that they gambled against happening, their insurer may very well increase the premium on their homeowners policy by 50% for 3 to 5 years. “What, me worry?” They should. Someone has to pay, because it wasn’t good business sense to go after the manufacturer.
The word’s getting out, but you won’t find Floodchek at the big box stores, or any other retailer’s shelf. FLOODCHEK hoses cost more to build by hand here in the U.S. than their markup can bear. They like to buy cheap and sell dear. They can’t buy FLOODCHEK cheap. Quality costs. That’s why we sell directly to you.
Consumer protection, or a veiled corporate attempt at limiting liability exposure?
FLOODCHEK hoses are guaranteed for twenty years, or the life of your washing machine against failure due to defective design, materials and workmanship. “Should failure occur, we will replace both FLOODCHEK hoses at no charge. “This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.”
Most Americans may be led to believe that the above warranty implies they have certain rights and remedies in recovering monetary damages caused by a defective product. As you know, it offers little, or no consumer protection at all. It seems vague to me, but it meets certain legal standards, and is well used.
Most washing machine hose producers are, with good reason predictably silent or evasive when the subject of guaranties and warranties arises. Many don’t have warranties and those that do, have limited warranties of little or no value. What good is a warranty to a consumer? Not much. They suffered through a $12,000.00 flood, paying a $500.00 deductible, and it’s going to take weeks or months to repair their property. If their hose fails within 10 years, their limited warranty directs an owner to package and return the defective hose at their expense at which time they will replace the $14.00 hose at no cost. How very comforting. Maybe your insurance adjuster just paid the claim, took a loss, and passed on some of the losses to you in the form of premium increases. Or, canceling your policy!
Braided steel hoses do fail, you know. I had occasion to speak with one of their marketing manager who confirmed this. When I asked him about making good the property damage his product caused, he said that matter would have to be pursued legally. Their label should read “If our product fails, SUE US.” Many OEM hoses on the market have no branding and may be impossible to identify. So much for their hose warranties. So, just what should you believe?
The best warranty is an unused warranty. Even so, FLOODCHEK washing machine hoses are backed by a multimillion dollar product liability policy. It hasn’t been used in 20 years. FLOODCHEK hoses have never failed. No other product compares with FLOODCHEK
Now that you’re informed and forewarned, there’s only one safe washing machine hose available today at any price. Hundreds of condominium associations and tens of thousands of homeowners throughout America have wisely chosen to install FLOODCHEK hoses. Of course, it makes perfect sense financially, but of utmost importance, is the property protection and the peace of mind FLOODCHEK ensures.
We welcome your questions and suggestions, so let us hear from you.