Washing Machine troubleshooting & repair guide:

This article describes simple steps that you can take to get a clothes washing machine working again, or to decide that it's time to buy a new one, or that you would be smart to call an appliance repair person.

Washing Machine Inspection & Repair

Washing Machine installation & troubleshooting tips (adapted from Carson Dunlop Associates' Home Reference Book):

Braided steel hoses are preferable to rubber hoses for connecting washing machines to supply piping in the home. A ruptured hose can result in serious water damage in a short time, especially if the laundry area is in or above a finished area of the home.

For even more protection, there are automatic shut-off valves available that turn off the water in the event of a burst hose.

When a leaking washing machine (or hoses) may cause damage to finishes, a washing machine drain pan may be installed to collect water in the event of a failure. Fittings on these pans should be connected to a drain so that the water can be safely discharged.

The waste hose can discharge into a laundry sink or into a waste standpipe connected to the waste plumbing through a trap.

The waste standpipe (standing waste pipe) should extend 18 to 30 inches above the trap. The drain hose should fit loosely into the standpipe so that there is an air space to prevent back-siphoning.

• If the washing machine does not work, the power cord may be damaged or disconnected, the fuse or breaker at the main panel may have tripped, the motor may be inoperative, a control switch may be defective, or the water may be shut off or disconnected.
• If the washing machine won’t fill, one of the solenoid valves or control switches may be inoperative, or the water valves may be closed. [You checked to assure that the water valves are "on" at the washer hose hookup - right?]
• If the washing machine won’t drain, the pump or one of the control switches may be inoperative.
  
  A drip pan and drain should be provided for machines above finished spaces.

Above: a housekeeper using a wooden stick to push clothes into an antique copper clothes washing machine featured in an Hercule Poirot mystery. Below: the second most-basic type of clothes washing machine, washboards.

The most basic clothes washing methods in many parts of the world involve taking clothes to a stream and using soap, water, and smashing the wet clothing on a flat rock.

• Water leakage at the washing machine may come from the water supply hoses, pump, tub seals, or the drain hose.
  
  There may also be a problem with the water level switch, or the tub itself may be damaged. On front loading machines, there may be a problem with the door or door seal.
• Oil leaks or grease stains at the washing machine or found on clothes after the wash may be traced to a failing transmission seal.
  
  See WASHING MACHINE OIL LEAKS.
• Unbalanced loads or a machine that is not level often cause excessive vibration, even wobbling, or may cause the washing machine to "walk" across the floor.
  
  There may also be problems with the motor bearings, the transmission or drive belt.
• Front-loading washers can be prone to odor problems.
  
  These musty odors are often the result of water that does not completely drain out of the washer.
  
  The stagnant water may collect beneath the door gasket, in the fabric softener dispenser, or another location. In many cases, cleaning these areas will correct the problem, and leaving the door open will allow the water to evaporate without becoming stagnant.

Carson Dunlop Associates' Home Reference Book

To purchase a more extensive printed collection of information about home inspection and maintenance see

• The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
  
• The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

...

Continue reading at APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• APPLIANCE DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR - home
• WASHING MACHINE REPAIR - home; you are on this page
• CROSS CONNECTIONS, PLUMBING
• WASHING MACHINE LEAKS
• WASHING MACHINE NOISE CAUSE & CURE
• WASHING MACHINE OIL LEAKS
• WASHING MACHINES & SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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WASHING MACHINE REPAIR at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to APPLIANCE REPAIR

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Citations & References

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