How to repair a washing machine

This article tries to explain users of our website how to repair a washing machine: should you ask a specialist to do that or repair the appliance yourself, and whom you can to address to resolve such issues.

Today manufacturers produce washing machines that are maximally automated, and a human does not need to interfere with this process much. This is good, as most washing machine breakdowns occur Because of human factor – incorrect usage of the appliance. People are used to not reading the manual that comes with the washing machine, as they initially believe there is nothing complicated there and they can easily cope themselves, however, it turns out later that it is not that easy. This is true in most cases. In fact, you need to read the manual, as it describes each button and each process.

Let us start with how we can save the washing machine from breakdowns.

The first thing you need to do is to take time to slowly and thoughtfully read the manual to your new washing machine. Remember, that each brand manufactures its own substances for appliance care, therefore, you should not trust the commercials and believe in the existence of universal products for every appliance. Consumers often fall for anti-scale products. Since we have touched upon this topic, you should know that if you choose programs where water does not heat over 60 degrees, you can use your machine even for ten years without worrying of scale forming inside it. And yet it is worth remembering that any scale may be removed from the surface only by applying acid, which has adverse affect on the clothes. Therefore, if those advertised products really were anti-scale, you would have to toss all of your clothes just after one month of washing, since it would all be damaged. Thus, it means that when buying these well-advertised anti-scale products you just waste your money and damage washing machine parts, which results in the need to repair the machine. However, you can do without it.

The first common malfunction is carelessness when loading the machine with clothes. Be careful and turn out all of the pockets and remove everything out of them. This is understood, as a washing machine will drain water several times in the course of one program, therefore money, nails, or screws left in the pockets will immediately go to the draining system and get stuck in there. As a result, when you come to pick up the washed clothes, the machine is waiting for you, but the water is not drained. You will have one hope left: that your money got stuck in the filter and did not damage the drain pump.

Another breakage is damaged gasket between the wash tub and the drum of the machine, which usually occurs in the washing machines with front loading. You can save your machine from this malfunction by following manufacturer’s instructions and zipping up all zippers before starting washing, as well as by loading and removing clothes with metal objects (buttons, zippers, elements and decorations) evenly.

Similarly, you may prevent early wearing out of the bearing unit. Try not to overload the machine above the recommended loading and wash heavy stuff, like duvet covers, one by one, separately from other clothes you want to wash. Clothes usually get stuck in them, which complicates the washing process and creates an intensive drum imbalance.

You also need to buy special bags for washing small items; that way you will not find your sock in the machine drain system later.

Lets move to elimination of malfunctions.

We do not recommend repairing washing machines yourself, however if there is no other alternative, let us give you several tips on repairing washing machines.

• If the water is not drained from the appliance, first check the drain, or rather the spot where your machine is connected to the sewer. Probably, there is a clog there. Then pull the drain system filter, clean the filter and reinstall it back. If this did not help, we recommend that you go to the skilled technician who deals with washing machines repair.
• The machine is not heating water during washing. This suggests that the heating unit is damaged. You don’t need any special skills to inspect the heater, you just need a multimeter and skills required to use it. The heater has 3 contacts (phase, zero and earthing). Phase and zero must be short-circuited, the circuit must not contain earthing.
• If there is no water, open the faucet connected to the washing machine.
• If the washing machine won’t turn on, first check the outlets.

Other failures should be entrusted to qualified service centers, as they require adequate qualification and experience of the technician.