We are often asked what a home owner can do to make their laundry area safer and less problematic...here is my list.
Number 1 is to get rid of the cheap rubber garden hoses on the washer and upgrade them to the best quality laundry hoses you can buy. They really are not that expensive. A large pliers will help and hey...do I need to remind you to turn off the washer valves...
Number 2 is to make sure the washer valves are off when you are not using the machines. This is habit forming and you just have to make the effort to do this each time (Think about everything bobbing in the basement if you don't).
Number 3 is upgrade that white plastic snake of a vent line to the shortest possible length of smooth metal pipe and a piece of flex metal corregated line to duct to the machine, from the smooth line. The more elbows, corregations and crimps the harder your dryer has to work.
Number 4 is throw away the plastic flapper that allows "heat" to recycle into your home. Totally ridiculous. If you want to smell your laundry walk around with your damp jeans on your head.
Get the moisture out of the home...or think mold.
Number 5 Buy a small battery operated moisture sensor at a plumbing supply house, and place it on the floor next to your washer. If it beeps you know there's a problem. (These are a good idea near the water heater as well).
Number 6 When you have an electrician coming ask him to upgrade your electric 220 volt dryer plug and outlet to a 4 prong type (if you unplug your dryer and it has 3 prongs...you need to do this). This could save you from a very untimely electrocution...
Number 7 If you dump the water from your washer into a standpipe make sure the hose is taped, or secured well so it won't pop out and shoot the water wherever...
Number 8 If the water drains into a sink have a plumber add a standpipe to avoid the smell and potential back up.
Number 9 Check the flapper on the exterior to make sure it is clean and it opens properly when the dryer is on, and closes when it is off. We don't want no stickin birds nest buddy...
And finally Number 10 if your machine is unbalanced and wobbles, bangs and dances through the spin cycle why not jump up and ride that baby... what the hell, life is short.
When you get sick of it, most units have adjustable leg levelers, adjust them so the washer stays put.
Hope this helps.... Steve, Your Home Inspector