fbpx

Washing machine repair

Washing machines are surprisingly complex. You have clean water flowing in and dirty water draining out of the unit. There are mechanical parts and it is all driven by electricity. And any of these various components can break at any time, though it tends to be when you have a load of wet clothes. 

When Researching Washing Machine Repair Ottawa Services, What Should You Look For? 

We would say that the most important factors to consider are their quality of work and service level. No one wants to have an appliance repair person show up almost immediately but requires four visits to get the job done. Nor do you want to pay for a repair that has to be repeated in just a few weeks. 

Price is something to consider, but there are trade-offs between price and quality. An Ottawa washing machine repair service that charges a very low rate for service calls may make up for it by replacing multiple parts or taking several hours to fix something a reliable washer repair service would fix in twenty minutes. 

Washing machines are complex, and every brand is different. Find out whether the washing machine service repairs your brand of washer or dryer. This affects the quality of work in several ways. First, they may not know how to repair your model out of hand if it is unfamiliar. You’ll pay for the time they spend looking up error codes.

Second, they will probably have to order the parts, since it isn’t something they keep in inventory. The work will simply be done faster if the washer repair is done by someone who regularly works with that type of washing machine. 

What are some of the most common washing machine problems, and how should you deal with them? When can you attempt a DIY repair, and when do you need to call in the washing machine repair professionals?

The most common washing machine problems

Request Service

Services

7 DAYS A WEEK – 24 HOURS A DAY

It Won’t Spin

This is one of the most common complaints the washer repair man receives. The issue is rarely due to a software glitch on the control board, though the unit may stop spinning because things are too unbalanced. You can at least try to fix it yourself by turning off the machine, balancing the load or reducing how much is in the washing machine. Then trying to run it again. 

If the clothes washer won’t spin, there are several potential problems. The motor may be dead. There may be an electrical issue such as when there is a short preventing the motor from running. And the belts that spin the washtub may be too loose to do the job or just broken.

It Won’t Drain

This is a common problem with washing machines, and it is among the most inconvenient. Before you call washing machine repair services, check a few things yourself. The problem may be because the drain hose is clogged. The washer may be malfunctioning and not engaging the drain/spin cycle. The drain pump itself may be broken. That is separate from the pump that injected water into the washing machine. 

First, reset the machine by turning it on and off. This may clear a software-based error code that prevents it from moving on to the next cycle. This could force the spin and drain cycle to engage. You could also try switching cycles such as switching from colors to whites. This can get around a software glitch, though it won’t do anything if the problem is hardware-related or a mechanical issue. After all, the control board in the washing machine can develop problems due to its constant exposure to hot, moist air. 

The drain hose may be the reason it won’t drain. If you moved the clothes washer or it vibrated itself into a new position, the hose may now be pinched. Moving things back into position may solve the problem. Or a small item like a sock has clogged the drain hose. That can be hard for a homeowner to remove without making a big mess. For example, removing the drain hose from the back and removing the item will allow water inside of the machine to flow through it. 

You may or may not be able to remove it with a plumbing snake, but you should never try to unclog it by pushing a stick into the hose. Some people use an outdoor water hose to push water through the drain hose to push the object causing the clog out of the way. Note that this can add to the water volume in the washer or just get water on the floor. 

We do not recommend running the washing machine on its hottest cycle to try to flush out the debris. This is only practical if you think the issue is due to grime and hot water scale, not a physical object clogging the hose. If you do this, don’t have any clothes in the machine when you do it. 

The Washing Machine Is Overflowing

It is rare for the water valves that allow water into the washing machine to get stuck open. In these cases, you can turn off the washing machine or even turn off the water to the house to get it to stop. Then you need to search for washer repair near me to find someone who can fix the problem fast. Whether you need to call a carpet cleaning service or floor restoration service depends on the severity of the problem. 

Sometimes the root problem is very different. If the unit is spinning out of control, you may think it is overflowing when it is really a problem with the motor or the belts. Or it may not have drained the water before adding water for the final rinse. This is more often a software glitch, sensor problem or control board issue than plumbing related.  

There’s No Water Coming Into the Clothes Washer

Washing machines rely on valves to control the flow of water into the machine. If the valve is stuck in the closed position, then no water can come in. If the water scale from your hard water has built up in the pipes, this may prevent the washer from filling. However, you should have noticed the unit taking more time to fill if this was the case.

The problem may be electrical. If the wire to the controlling valve is disconnected, it can’t flip open. And the problem may be software-related. If the water level sensor thinks that the unit is full, the control board won’t open the valve to let more water in.

It Makes Too Much Noise

Washing machines are going to make a lot of noise as they fill and spin. However, your washing machine may start making additional noise. Maybe the vibration level has increased, increasing the noise level as it spins. Perhaps the belts are making extra noises as they wear out. 

The Washing Machine Won’t Unlock

The washing machine has a number of safety mechanisms in place. One of these is a lock on the lid that prevents most people from being able to open it. The problems arise when you want to open the lid and can’t. This could be due to a software glitch. In these cases, switching wash cycles or rebooting the washer by turning it on and off may fix it. The locking mechanism could be jammed. That’s hard to fix on your own, whether it is due to clothes getting in the way or grime has essentially glued it shut. 

The machine may be refusing to unlock because the unit hasn’t drained properly. In these cases, you’re back to troubleshooting the fact that it hasn’t drained. You can at least identify this by banging on the unit or moving it slightly. If there’s still water in the washtub, that’s probably why it won’t unlock. If the unit is supposed to be in a spin cycle but it isn’t spinning, that will explain why it won’t open, either. You might be able to open it after you turn it off and back on, but then you need to deal with the mechanical failure that prevented it from spinning. 

It Won’t Heat Up

Do you have a natural gas heated clothes dryer? Do you have a gas hot water heater? Always call a professional repair washer and dryer service. No one but an experienced professional should be inspecting or repairing natural gas heaters. Find out whether the washer repair Ottawa service you’d considering calling is qualified to work on natural gas if that is something your washer and dryer rely on. However, this isn’t an issue if the dryer uses electric heat.

My Washing Machine Smells Bad

Sometimes the clothes smell as bad coming out as they did going into the clothes washer. And no amount of laundry soap or bleach may seem to solve the problem. Did you know that the problem may require a washing machine repair service?

They may need to fix the water leaks inside of the machine or the clogged drain causing the funky smell. They can often tell you what the root cause is, whether you need to not use so much laundry detergent or someone accidentally poured fabric softener into the bleach dispenser.

FAQs

What Is Your Service Area?

King Appliance Repair will repair washing machines and any other major household appliance for customers in Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Stittsville, and the surrounding areas.

Can You Fix My Washing Machine Today?

Yes! We’re accessible 24×7, and we are often able to do same-day appliance repairs. This includes washer machine repair and anything else you may need fixing.

How Do I Schedule the Repair of My Washing Machine?

Call King Appliance Repair at 343-573-0911. You can click on the button on our website to book an appointment. Or send us an email at info@kingappliancesrepair.ca.