A 22-pound concrete block, the machine's counter balance, appeared to have shot out of the washer -- leaving a gouge in the drywall before hitting the floor.
"I'm just glad my family wasn't here when that happened," Kimelman said in an interview with our sister station WSOC-TV.
Seven people have complained to the Consumer Product Safety Commission about front-loading Whirlpool washers experiencing loud vibration events.
One reported a Whirlpool Duet blew up and ended up on its side.
Another said an explosion launched a concrete chunk out of a machine.
"Thank goodness there was no one in that room when that let go," washer repair expert Mike Mennino said after looking at video of Kimelman's damaged machine.
He said counterweights do cause vibrations and rocking but this was "just a high rate of spin" and a "tremendous amount of force."
Whirlpool officials said the company is committed to delivering safe and innovative products. The company sent Kimelman $1,200 for a new washer.
"At this point, we are getting a standard top-loading machine," he said.
This isn't the first brand to have concerns raised over exploding washing machines.
In 2016, 34 models of Samsung top-loading washers were recalled because of explosions that resulted in nine reported injuries, including a broken jaw.
Contact WHIO-TV Consumer Reporter Rachel Murray via Facebook or Twitter at @RMurrayWHIO
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