5 Problems That Could Sideline Your Front-Loading Washing Machine

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What would you do without your front-loading washer machine? If you can't think of an answer or dread the idea of hand-washing all of your clothes, then chances are you'll want to avoid anything that could put your washer out of commission. Unfortunately, the following problems can put a temporary halt to your washing duties until your repair technician can make things right.

Faulty Door Switch

So you've loaded up all of your clothes, closed the door, punched in your washing settings and...nothing happens. No matter how many times you press the start button, your washer simply refuses to wash. It's a frustrating problem that has a simple yet rather common cause—your door switch has likely stopped working.

The door switch tells your HE washer when the door is closed and locked so the washing cycle can commence. A faulty door switch can prevent your washer machine from starting its washing sequence, leaving you and your clothes high and dry.

You can take care of this problem for good by replacing the faulty door switch with a brand-new switch. However, you might want to leave this task up to your repair technician, since the switch itself may be buried deep within the washer.

Broken or Slipped Belt

Your washer drum fills with water normally, but the drum itself refuses to bulge. In most cases, a broken or slipped drive belt is usually the culprit. Time and use can take a toll on the rubber belt, resulting in cracks, surface glazing, and eventual breakage. The belt can also lose its grip and slip on the motor pulley. Not only can the belt fail if exposed to enough friction and heat, but it could also create an unexpected fire hazard in your home.

A brand-new belt usually takes care of the issue. You could replace the drive belt yourself, but it's often a time-consuming process that's usually best left to a repair technician.

Leaking Door Gasket

If you see a puddle of water near the front of your washer, it could be the result of a door gasket that's lost its touch. Given enough time, the rubber gasket lining your front-loading washer door can harden and deteriorate, preventing it from making a perfect seal between your door and washer drum. This can cause water to leak past the gasket during a typical washing cycle.

Fortunately, replacing the door gasket is one of the simplest repair jobs you can make on an average front-loading washer. If your washer machine is still under warranty, you can have an authorized repair technician replace it at little to no cost, which could save you time and money.

Clogged Drain Line

A clogged drain line can make it difficult for water to drain out of the drum properly. As a result, you may see small puddles forming inside the drum after a cycle or end up with overly damp clothing, even after a spin cycle. You should have your repair technician inspect and, if necessary, unblock the drain line. Your technician will also check the drain pump, making sure it doesn't need service or replacement.

Loose Drum Fasteners

If your washer drum's making a racket no matter how much you balance your washer's load, there could be more than just a balance issue at play. The drum fasteners can loosen over time, causing the drum to rotate out of balance. Leaving the drum to its own devices could eventually spell premature washer failure and a very expensive repair bill. If you want to bring quiet balance back to your front-loading washer, you should have your repair technician inspect and replace the fasteners. 

For more information, contact an appliance repair company like Goldman  Appliances Inc.

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27 February 2017

keeping up with appliance care

The appliances that we use every day to prepare meals, do our laundry, keep up with never-ending dirty dishes and keep the hot water flowing all need our attention and care from time to time. When you use these things so often, it can be easy to forget that they need that attention to continue working for us. This blog will show you what you need to do to keep all of the different appliances in your home as reliable and operational as they can be to prevent unnecessary repairs and early need for replacement and save you some cash as well.