Identifying Washer Issues Early

The average American family runs nearly 300 loads of laundry through the washer every year. You probably take this appliance for granted – that is, until something goes wrong. With so much wear and tear on your washer, it’s bound to act up after a few years and more than a thousand loads of laundry. Keep an eye and an ear on your washer to identify and repair issues early so you can avoid the need for an expensive repair or replacement.

The Washer Rocks Excessively

If the washer starts rocking around during the spin cycle, it can start to make a racket. The most likely scenario is that the washer is off balance. Open the lid and rearrange the clothes so they’re more evenly dispersed within the drum.

If you attempt to rearrange the clothes a few times to no avail, don’t ignore the problem. You could have a loose drum or motor mount on your hands, which is easy enough for a professional to repair, but continuing to run your washer with this problem could damage other components and lead to a more costly repair.

The Agitator Doesn’t Work

The agitator is the device in the center of top-loading washing machines that jerks back and forth rapidly during the wash or rinse cycle to help your clothes come clean. If the motor engages but the agitator doesn’t work, that’s a sign the transmission is bad.

It’s easy to check if the agitator is working – simply lift the washing machine lid during the wash cycle to see if the agitator is shifting your clothes around. Your pants, shirts and socks won’t come clean if the agitator doesn’t work, so it’s worth having this problem looked at sooner rather than later.

Water Doesn’t Drain from the Drum

During normal operation, the washer drains right before the spin cycle begins. A problem with the water pump could prevent the water from draining. When this happens, you’ll find your clothes still swimming in water when you lift the lid to transfer clothes into the dryer. You won’t be able to drain the water until you have a professional come take a look at the problem.

Clothes are Dripping Wet After the Spin Cycle

If something is wrong with the transmission, the water may drain, but the spin cycle may fail to engage. The spin cycle is important for removing as much water from the clothes as possible so your dryer doesn’t have to work overtime to dry your clothes.

If the transmission is broken, the motor may engage but the drum won’t spin, leaving you no choice by to place sopping wet clothes in the dryer. This wastes a lot of energy and could cause your dryer to wear out faster, so it’s best not to delay a repair if this is the problem you’re facing.

Water Doesn’t Fill the Drum

If you put your clothes in the washer, start the cycle and walk away, you may return later to find the clothes are still bone dry. You certainly can’t wash any clothes with a washer that doesn’t fill with water, but there are many potential causes for this problem: a kinked hose, delayed cycle selection, disconnected hot or cold water faucets, clogged filter, or obstructed water intake valve are all possibilities. To narrow it down, be sure to have a professional come take a look.

If your washing machine is giving you trouble, please contact Mr. Appliance^® to schedule a repair today.