Before Calling a Repairman - Washing Machines

Decided to do a series on common issues to help you decide when to call or not call for a repairman. Bear in mind that every instance where I say that maintenance is needed you can complete it yourself but if your not confident you can do it yourself you can get an appliance repair technician to do the maintenance for you.


Common things to check on your washer before calling for assistance:

Power - Does the machine seem to have power? Are any lights on or the display?  If there is nothing check your fuses.  If it has power but doesn't start anyway you'll need to look at a few other things.

Overloading - Did you stuff too many clothes into the washer in an attempt to get your laundry done more quickly or before your leaving on a trip?  Pull a bunch of them out, the motors in these machines are only good for a certain amount of weight and so are the moving parts that bear the drum weight.  Be patient, overloading will just break your machine.  Besides, it'll take a long time to dry in the dryer when you get to that stage too.

Not draining - Did the rest of the cycle run without a hitch until you got to the drain cycle?  Try selecting just a spin and drain cycle if you can and see if it works the second time.  If it doesn't you'll need to either check the drain line for clogs or call for help unfortunately, there are several reasons the machine doesn't drain and the drain line is just one of them.  It can also be an issue with the controls or computer, the wiring between a few components needed to drain, the pump, the drain lines, etc.

Leaking - This is a one stop check; if it's the drain hose that's leaking it's something you can probably replace yourself without too much fuss.  If it's coming from inside of the machine or anywhere else you will be better off getting a professional to figure out where it's coming from and fix it.  To help you out: If the leak is coming from the water hook up that's actually in the wall you want a Handyman or a Plumber; if it's the machine you want an Appliance Repair Technician.

Dents, rents, and holes in the drum - Unless it's under warranty still don't bother calling for repairs. The drum is a very expensive part and it's also labour intensive to install.  You would typically be looking at the same cost, or more than, as purchasing a new machine.

Bad Smells - Cleaning is required.  I imagine sighs every time I say to clean an appliance, unfortunately maintenance really is key.  Just tackle it one day when you have extra energy!  If scrubbing out the drum and seals with vinegar and baking soda doesn't solve them smell you might need to have the door seal replaced or the drains cleaned more aggressively. To help prevent bad smells in the first place always leave the door open a crack or the lid up on the washer, the extra air flow will allow it to dry out more quickly so mold can't start growing.