Hole in outer washing machine drum

[Daan]

Hello people, 2 days ago i was confronted with an error code (e23) on my washing machine and when i looked it up i found out this error was caused by floater sensor tripping when water is building up on the bottom plate of the machine.

After removing all the covers and running a test wash i found out what caused the leak. A decent sized hole in the outer shell of the drum, just above where the drain hose connects to the pump (image below). It's probably caused by some metal debris from clothing that pierced itself through the shell when the drum was spinning?

Do any of you have experience with fixing holes like this? Maybe some sort of epoxy putty or maybe molten plastic? 

Thanks in advance

[Terry Carmen]

Looks kind of chewed. Did you put out any mouse poison lately? It makes them crazy for water.

Loctite makes glue for plastics, although I've never tried it. 

[Daan]

I'm pretty sure it's caused by metal debris because i found a metal end piece from a sweater string right below the hole. Also i have never seen a mouse in this house.

[vee8power]

The only way a pro would do that for you is to replace the tub. Epoxy may work but it's risky; a leak can cost a lot.

Is that part of a pump housing under the hole? If it is, any solids in the drain are going to beat that area more as they go down.

[Daan]

Replacing the tub is not an option since the part alone is worth more than the current value of the washer. It doesn't have to last a very long time, if it stretches the life of the machine 1 or 2 years it will probably be worth the repair cost for me.

The part on the picture is the underside of the tub where the hose is connected to the pump.

I was thinking maybe using some expoxy reinforced with fibreglass sheets? Any chance that could work for some time?

[Daan]

Here's a clearer picture of the layout

[Fourneeds]

It seems to have hit something. Th damage e does not stop in the hole but stretches to surrounding area. I have had two leaks in the past and they are not fun to deal with.  Its better to sleeps well at night 

[vee8power]

Get you one of these :

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Basement-Watchdog-Battery-Operated-Water-Alarm-BWD-HWA/100038838

[Daan]

There's an aquastop system in the washer that stops automatically if it detects water, so that shouldn't be necessary. I put on 2 layers of fibreglass with around 20 grams of epoxy, going to do another 2 layer today

[16345Ed]

My concern would be what caused hole. Because it’s likely just going to happen again.