Why does my washer- that is in the upstairs hallway- fill with water when I use the bathtub in the master bath? For months now I've been shutting the hot and cold water valves off when the washer is not in use. Last night I bathed my kids. Today I open my front load washer just to have a FULL load of water gush out! Is it a washer problem or a house plumbing problem?
Please help!

If I understand correctly, your clothes washer is located on the second floor. You have the hot and cold water valves to the washer closed or turned off. The bathtub you were using is on the same floor as the washer.

Are there any plumbing fixtures on a floor above the second floor?
Did the water in the washer appear clear and clean?

There are no plumbing fixtures above the 2nd floor. Yes, the washer is on the 2nd floor.
I want to say the water was clean but it came out so fast and there was so much I don't know for sure.
A few months ago when I used the bath the washer would only fill a few inches. I didn't like letting water sit in it so I started shutting off the valves. So, it's been months and it stopped filling when I used the bath but there is always a leak from somewhere. Always a wet floor. Yesterday was the 1st time it's filled completely. It'd be a different story if it was a top load but there's no avoiding opening a front load filled with water! And, how did it fill if both valves were in the off position?

The water has to come from some where. If you have closed the water input valves it cannot be from the water system. If there were plumbing fixtures above the washer it could be from the drain system if there was a drain blockage. It cannot be from plumbing fixtures on the same level because the washer stand pipe is higher than the plumbing fixtures.

Why do you associate the washer filling with use of the bathtub.

What type of valves do you have on the water supply to the washer? Are they the type you turn to shut off or are they the type you pull a lever to turn off both the hot and cold.
Show picture of the valves used to shut of the water to the washer.


Always a wet floor.

Do you mean before you open the door?

Check the washer for water.
Close the drain to the tub. Fill the bathtub with water.
While filling, check the washer for water.
Open the drain to the bathtub and let water drain.
While tub is draining check washer for water.