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Sometimes a washing machine stops working. There are several DIY washing machine repairs you should know to repair your washer at home.
With the average cost of a decent washing machine ranging from $700 to over $1,000, it’s no surprise that most homeowners feel a bit of panic when their washing machine won’t work.
Luckily, a broken washing machine doesn’t automatically mean that you’ll have to make a big investment. Often, DIY washing machine repairs can fix the problem at a fraction of the price.
Take a look at these simple troubleshooting and washing machine repair tips.
Preparing for DIY Washing Machine Repairs
No matter what’s wrong with your washing machine, there are a few things you’ll need to do before you attempt a repair. Taking the following steps will help keep you safe and prevent damage to your home.
First, disconnect the power and the water supply to the washing machine. Then, put towels down around the washing machine and disconnect the water hoses. You’ll also want to have a mop, bucket, and extra towels handy in case more water spills during the repair process.
Next, you’ll want to make sure you have the right tools handy. It’s extremely frustrating to get part-way through a repair and find that you don’t have the things you need. So do yourself a favor, and gather up the following before you start:
- Philips head screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Flat-nose pliers
- Flashlight
You’ll also want a multimeter that can test voltage and ohms. This is necessary for testing washer components to see if any are bad.
Troubleshooting the Most Common Problems
Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to observe your washing machine and see if you can figure out what the problem might be.
The following are three of the most common washing machine problems and effective washing machine repair tips that might solve them.
Water Is Leaking Everywhere
If you’re noticing puddles of water on the floor when you run your washing machine, you’ll want to check the fill hoses and the drain. One common problem is a cracked or damaged hose.
If the hoses look like they’ve seen better days, then replace them. This should take care of the problem.
There’s also a chance that you could simply have a loose hose connection. Try tightening them down and see if that fixes the issue.
Your washer door seal and/or inlet valve could also have a build-up of corrosion. If this is the case, clean and remove it.
Is the water that’s leaking everywhere very sudsy? You might just be using too much detergent!
If none of these steps have solved the problem, you may have a hole in the machine’s tub or tub seal. You could also have a faulty drain pump. Unfortunately, these repairs are a bit more complicated any warrant a call to a repair person.
Your Machine Is Making a Strange Sound
There are many different strange sounds that a washing machine can make when it’s not working correctly. And different sounds indicate different types of problems. Careful listening is an important part of figuring out how to repair a washing machine!
A gurgling noise could mean that you have a clog in your drain hose. You’ll want to clear this out right away or you could end up dealing with a flood.
Do you hear humming, buzzing, or clicking all the time? You might have something like a coin stuck in your pump, drum, or washer drain. Try taking your machine apart so you can access these parts and make sure there are no foreign objects stuck in there.
A shaking or clunking machine is usually out of balance. You could have just put in too much on one side when you loaded your dirty laundry. Make sure that each time you do a load, the clothing is evenly distributed.
The feet of your washer could also be out of balance. If this is the case, using shims should fix the problem.
The Washer Won’t Do Anything at All
If your machine won’t even turn on, you likely have an electrical problem. Before you do anything with electricity, make sure that the floor of the washing machine is completely dry. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting an electrical shock.
You might be surprised to find that the power plug has simply come loose! This can happen over time due to the vibrations of the washing machine. Try unplugging it and plugging it back in.
You’ll also want to make sure the power cord isn’t frayed and is still tightly connected to the washing machine. If this doesn’t work, head out to your circuit breaker and reset it. Finally, you might want to try plugging something else into the outlet to ensure that it’s working correctly.
A problem with your washing machine or door lid switch can also cause this issue. Try opening and closing the lid or door and listening for a click. Don’t hear one? Then you’ll need to call in a repair person.
More Tips to Help Make Your House a Home
If you find that your DIY washing machine repair isn’t successful, you’ll need to call the pros to come to your home and take a look. But don’t panic yet, there’s still a chance that it can be fixed for far less than you would have to spend on a new machine.
Before you head out, take some time to look through more of our blog posts. Here you’ll find everything you need to know to make your house feel like a home, as well as tips for travel, health, finance, and more!
