us Home & property emergencies washing machine leaking • washer leak • water spreading across floor • laundry room flooding • water near outlets • leaking washer hose • burst washer supply line • washer drain hose leak • water pooling under washer • leak during wash cycle • slippery wet floor hazard • shut off water valve • main water shutoff home • breaker panel safety • renter washer leak emergency • condo downstairs water risk • water damage documentation • appliance leak sudden • panicked home flooding

What to do if…
your washing machine is leaking and water is spreading across the floor

Short answer

Shut off water to the washer (or the home’s main valve if needed) and keep electricity away from standing water—only turn off power from a dry, safe location.

Do not do these things

Don’t wade into standing water to unplug cords, touch outlets, or reach the breaker panel.
Don’t keep the machine running to “finish”.
Don’t yank the washer out while it’s powered and leaking.
Don’t plug in or run fans/heaters/dehumidifiers until you’re confident outlets/circuits in the area are dry and safe.
Don’t ignore water that could reach another unit (downstairs neighbors/adjacent rooms).

What to do now

Make the area safe to move in. Keep kids/pets out. Watch for slippery flooring.
Stop the machine if you can do it without stepping in water. Use the controls to pause/stop and power off.
If water is near outlets or equipment, only shut off electricity from a dry, safe route.
- If you can reach the service panel without entering standing water, turn off the laundry circuit (or the main if you can’t identify the circuit).
- If you would have to step into water to reach the panel, do not attempt it—get an electrician or qualified help.
Turn off the washer’s water supply. Close the two shutoff valves (hot and cold) behind/near the washer (turn clockwise). If you can’t reach them safely or they don’t stop the flow, shut off the main water valve for the home.
Contain the spread fast. Use towels to create barriers and push water away from outlets, baseboards, and nearby doorways. Put a pan/bowl under active drips if it’s still leaking.
Reduce immediate damage. Move power strips, chargers, rugs, paper items, and anything that wicks water. If water is moving toward another room or a shared wall/floor, prioritize blocking that path.
If you’re in an apartment/condo, notify the right people. After water is off and you’re safe, notify the landlord/property manager/HOA (and a downstairs neighbor if appropriate) so they can check for water intrusion.
Document and notify. Take photos/video of the leak source and affected areas (helpful for maintenance/insurance).
Get repairs lined up. Call a plumber or appliance service. If water has reached outlets, wiring, or the panel area, arrange an electrician before re-energizing circuits.
Don’t restart the washer yet. Keep its water valves off until hoses/fittings/drain connection are checked and the area is dry enough to be safe around electricity.

What can wait

You don’t need to fully dry everything immediately beyond preventing spread and removing obvious standing water.
You don’t need to decide whether to file an insurance claim in the first minutes.
You don’t need to troubleshoot the appliance beyond confirming the leak stops once water is shut off.

Important reassurance

A washer leak can look like a crisis because it spreads quickly, but once water is shut off and you keep power away from wet areas, you’ve already done the most important harm-prevention steps.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to stabilize a sudden leak. Significant water under flooring, into walls/ceilings, or near electrical components may need professional assessment and drying.

Important note

This is general information, not professional advice. If you have standing water and can’t safely shut off power or water from a dry location, prioritize safety and contact qualified help.

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What to do if…your washing machine is leaking and water is spreading across the floor