When something that's generally reliable breaks down, the most serious problems tend to arise. Most people can count on their washing machine for reliable service, and it plays a central role in maintaining a clean and orderly household. If that suddenly changes, you may find yourself scrambling for a backup plan and cursing the unexpected challenge.
Rather than waiting for a failure to spring into action, you should be aware of the warning signs which highlight a pending difficulty. Below, you'll find a guide to some of the signs that generally precede a washer breakdown, allowing you to develop a better understanding of how your washing machine acts when it behaves badly.
Load Imbalance
Many people may not consider the strong forces at work when a washing machine is operating at high speed. However, the strength of the motor and the speed at which clothes are whipped around in the drum requires a very delicate mechanical setup to keep your load balanced and stop your machine from displaying faults.
If the load is out of balance, your washer may regularly shut down or require a reset. If you notice your washing machine constantly making loud sounds which resembling wobbling or forcing itself to shut off, it's likely a sign that some part of the balance mechanism requires maintenance.
Slow Draining
The excess water that comes off of your clothes at the end of a cycle should drain in a hurry if your washing machine is operating at its highest capacity. If that's not the case, you might find yourself dealing with mold or mildew in your machine, or even damage to clothes which end up sitting unnecessarily in standing water.
Slow draining can be a sign of a blockage in your plumbing or potential damage to the washing machine itself. Whatever the origin, it's vital that you source the problem and have it addressed before a blockage creates a serious issue that could threaten your ability to keep your house dry.
Sensitive Controls
Many modern washing machines feature electronic touch pads that may be sensitive to displaying incorrect information if connections are interrupted or other damage occurs. Still others, with older dials, could run the risk of the same electronic faults. If your washing machine controls don't seem to be functioning correctly and are leaving you with loads not completed in the way you desire, it's important to have the controls looked at to verify that you don't need a replacement.
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