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Reasons Your Washing Machine Won’t Spin and What to Do About It

Washing machines could not be simpler to use. Simply load your soiled clothing, add detergent, and start the machine. After a few hours, you’ll have clean and fresh laundry ready for clothes dryers.

While this is the case, things become more complicated if something prevents your washing machine from spinning. You end up with a sopping wet ball of clothes that you must either run through another separate spin cycle (after adjusting the load) or, if that fails, wring out and dry yourself, which is time-consuming.

A failed spin cycle can be inconvenient, and even the best washing machines can be affected. If this is a recurring issue for you, appliance repair professionals report that it can be brought about by several reasons causing your washing machine not to spin. Here are some of these reasons and tips on how to solve the problem once and for all.

Overloading the machine

It’s easy to get into the habit of cramming everything into your washing machine. After all, the fewer cycles you run, the more energy and water you save.

While this is correct, overloading your washing machine may cause the load to wash less efficiently because the garments will not agitate as quickly, and the detergent will not penetrate or apply itself evenly.

The solution is simple: don’t overload your washing machine. You can tell whether you’re doing it by how much you shove and stuff things in. Only fill it to make the best use of the available area and to ensure a complete and regulated spin cycle.

When loading the machine, remember that some cycles, such as the rapid wash setting, also have a limited capacity, so keep this in mind at all times.  

Unevenly loading the machine.

Depending on what you’re washing, you might not fill the machine but still create an uneven load. This is frequent when washing heavy objects such as pillows or tiny duvets.

Since these are saturated and weighed down during the wash cycle, any gaps in the drum become more noticeable.

The weight is thrown across the drum while the machine tries to gain speed to spin. In such cases, the sensors will normally kick in and prevent it from spinning for the abovementioned reasons.

To remedy the issue, you need to balance out the weight distribution. This can be accomplished by piling two pillows at once or padding the weight with towels. This will allow the machine to safely reach the appropriate spin speed without tossing itself around.

While this is an effective solution, ensure the bedding you’re washing is machine-safe. Certain pillows, such as memory foam, are not suited, and delicate bedding may require dry washing.

If you wash your pillows in the washing machine, completely dry them afterward, fluffing them frequently in a well-ventilated area.

Running an imbalanced machine

Another reason your washing machine isn’t spinning is because it’s not leveled properly. If the feet are not evenly balanced on the floor, the weight will be rotated in the drum, generating a lot of noise.

Leaning on the top of the appliance and moving your weight around will reveal whether this is the case. In the absence of that, a spirit level can assist in determining where the appliance is uneven. In such cases, the sensors will once again inhibit the spin cycle.

Adjust the feet to the proper height to level an uneven washing machine. To begin, unhook the appliance and carefully remove it from its location.

This allows you to inspect the floor’s condition; if it’s damaged in any manner, you’ll need to repair it. Depending on access, you may need to adjust the feet here, but otherwise, you may push it back into place with a helping hand and adjust it from there. 

The directions for adjusting the feet will be in the handbook, but the standard procedure is to loosen the lock nuts on each foot using a wrench and then rotate the required bolts to increase or decrease the height.

When satisfied, check the balance as you modify and tighten the nuts. This should resolve the issue, but if you need more confidence about adjusting the feet, you can always get a professional to help.

Using too much detergent

Many people have the impression that using too much detergent is harmless. Many believe it increases cleaning performance, but this is not true. Too much detergent makes rinsing garments more difficult, resulting in residual soap. This results in a “scrunchy” texture that is more likely to cause allergy reactions.

Clothes will also not agitate as effectively in the washing machine. You should remember that too many suds prevent a good wash by cushioning the clothes from rubbing against one another.

Too much detergent can cause issues with the spin cycle on front-loading washing machines. This is due to the fact that it produces excessive suds, which confuse the sensors if not thoroughly washed away.

The washing machine will believe it is fuller than it is, affecting the spin cycle speed. It may even pause to remove the suds, resulting in delays or problems. At best, this results in a less efficient spin cycle and clothing that is too moist and soapy.

To stay safe, use a suitable HE (high efficiency) washing detergent to avoid this issue. Such detergents will not produce excessive suds but follow the dosage instructions.

Damaged drive belt

The drive belt in your washing machine is what rotates the drum. So, if it’s stopped spinning, there could also be an issue here. By manually turning the empty drum of your washing machine, you may examine the condition of the drive belt. If it spins smoothly with little effort, the drive belt has likely been misplaced or snapped entirely.

Check the drive belt on some machines by unplugging the machine and removing the front or rear panel – your manual should provide instructions. You should be able to see if it’s come loose or broken and has to be replaced.

In either case, you should get the help of a washer repair Fairfax professional to handle the replacement. Some machines may need to be propped up or even flipped over to gain access to this part, which can be dangerous, and you must use the correct part for the exact model and fit it correctly, which a professional can assist with.

Do Washing Machines Consume A Lot Of Electricity?

Have you just bought a washing machine and wondering, do washing machines consume a lot of electricity? Well, it’s hard to give a definite answer to this question as the appliance’s energy consumption is dependent on several factors that include:

Condition of the washing machine

Is your washing machine new? Is it old? This will significantly affect its energy consumption. An older appliance will consume more energy as it tends to run inefficiently.

The condition of the appliance will be primarily affected by how you take care of it. Do you hire washer repair technicians when it develops problems, or do you ignore it?

If you are a responsible homeowner and fix your appliance whenever it develops a problem, your appliance will run more efficiently and consume little energy, but if you ignore it to put off repair till a later date, you are in no luck as it will consume a lot of energy.

To keep your appliance in top shape, make it a habit to fix any problem as soon as it comes about. It’s also wise to hire an appliance tune-up professional at least once a year to tune up the appliance and fix any problematic areas.

Size of the washing machine

The other factor that will affect the energy consumption of your appliance is the size of the machine. As a rule of thumb, the larger the device, the higher the energy consumption.

This means that you should be cautious about the size of the machine you buy. If you live alone or have a small family, there is no point in purchasing a large, commercial appliance, as you will be pouring money down the drain with a huge electricity bill.

While a large machine might be consuming a lot of energy, you should note that sometimes you might have even higher bills if you overuse a small machine. For example, if you have a large family, having a small machine means you will have to run several loads at a time to clean all the clothes. As you can tell, when you have your appliance running all the time, you have a high-energy bill.

To save money, if you have a large family, get a large appliance. It will cost you more to purchase initially, but it will save you a lot in the long term.

Type of washing machine

The type of washing machine will also determine your energy consumption. If this is the first time buying the appliance, you should note that front-load washing machines are more efficient hence use less electricity and water, so these are the ones to go for.

Load size per wash

When you load just a few clothes, the machine will consume little energy, right? Wrong. The machine will consume the same amount of electricity as if it was fully loaded. So always fully load the machine to save money—never underload the machine, then run several cycles as you will receive a scary electricity bill at the end of the month.

You should note that there is a vast difference between fully loading and overloading the machine. As you can tell, overloading is when you load the machine more than it can handle. As much as you want to save energy, never overload as you risk damaging the machine’s drum bearings and belt.

An overloaded machine also doesn’t clean the clothes well enough, so you have to redo them.

Style of washing the clothes

You can wash the clothes in two ways—hot washing and cold washing them. As you can tell, hot washing is when you wash the clothes using hot water, and cold washing is when you wash them using cold water.

Since you need to use electricity to heat the water, hot washing usually consumes a lot of electricity. Unless necessary, avoid hot washing your clothes.

Type of detergent

While there are plenty of detergents, there are different detergents for top and front-loading machines. Choosing the wrong detergent means that you have to do multiple wash cycles, increasing energy consumption.

To avoid multiple wash cycles, always take your time to understand the right detergent to use. If not sure, get the input of an appliance repair Alexandria professional.

Should I Buy Extended Warranty On Washer And Dryer?

When you buy a washing machine, dryer, or any other large appliance, it’s not uncommon for retailers to try to sell you an extended warranty meant to provide you with coverage beyond the manufacturer’s original warranty.

When you have the warranty, you pay nothing if you need to undertake appliance repair or replace the unit.

When homeowners are in this situation, you will hear them asking, should I buy an extended warranty on the washer and dryer?

The answer to this question is no. You shouldn’t buy the extended warranty. This is because, in most cases, you end up not using it, so you lose money. A study by Stanford University showed that most modern appliances are reliable, and most won’t break down within the warranty period.

The study went further to show that even if the appliance broke down, the repair costs are often much lower than the warranty cost, so you lose money if you buy the extended warranty.

Extended warranties are moneymakers for retailers, so avoid them as a homeowner. However, if you feel the warranty is right for you, don’t go for it blindly. Instead, do the following:

Understand the manufacturer’s warranty

Before you commit yourself, first take time to understand what the manufacturer’s warranty contains. Carefully go through it and pay attention to how long it lasts, what it covers, and whether the company will repair or replace the appliance or refund the money when it breaks down.

Some companies will repair the appliance even after the warranty period has extended to provide good customer service, so you don’t even need the extended warranty.

Check whether the credit company has extended the warranty.

When you buy your appliance using a credit card, some credit companies extend appliance warranties for a year or more, saving you money as you don’t have to buy the extended warranty. Before you buy the warranty, contact your card insurer and check whether your credit card provides extended warranties.

Take time to read the extended warranty’s fine print.

Contrary to popular belief, extended warranties aren’t as comprehensive as you think, so with little effort, you can quickly go through the fine print.

When you are reading the warranties, pay attention to exclusions. Studies show that most warranties include lots of exclusions, making them less useful. For example, the extensions might fail to include accidental damage, or the company might be able to deny a claim if you didn’t follow the given routine maintenance instructions.

The warranty might also require you to use a specific service provider, and you might not be in the same area as the service provider.

Carefully go through the fine print and only consider purchasing if the warranty makes sense to you.

Consider how much it would cost you to repair the appliance.

The sole purpose of the extended warranty is to protect you when the appliance breaks down, but do they save you money? Before buying them, do your research and find out how much it will cost you to repair the appliance in the event it breaks down.

A great way to do it is to contact your local repair companies and ask them for their charge sheet.

Invest in a high-quality appliance

High-quality appliances are expensive, but they rarely break down, so you don’t need an extended warranty. Before you make the purchase, take time to learn about the appliance’s reliability by reviewing the product’s consumer report.

When buying the appliance, buy from a company that will take returns on defective items. Some stores with generous return policies will even accept broken items years after the original purchase. These are the companies to buy from.

Buy only when it makes sense.

Avoid buying the extended warranty unless it makes sense. For example, only buy if it costs less than the cost of repairs. You also should ensure the company you are buying the warranty from is reputable.

If you don’t know about the organization’s reputation or feel nervous about giving your information, steer clear and instead settle the washer repair Springfield costs from your pocket.

Is It Worth Repairing a 15-Year-Old Washing Machine?

Are you wondering, is it worth repairing a 15-year-old washing machine? Well, this depends on the broken part and the cost of repairing it. If the broken part is easy to find, so you can easily source it and not expensive to repair, it’s worth repairing the appliance, but if the part is hard to find and expensive to repair, you are better off getting a new appliance.

A good rule of thumb is to avoid repairing an appliance if the cost of repair is half the new unit’s price.

As you are making your decision, remember that most old appliances have fewer electronic widgets, so appliance repair professionals have an easy time repairing them.

While this is the case, there are situations when you shouldn’t even weigh your options and instead replace the appliance. These situations include:

Excessive leaking

A leaking washing machine comes about due to overflowing or a loose connection. If your appliance is old, it most likely uses the same amount of water for every size load. To minimize leaking, determine the load’s size that can fit in the washing machine and leave enough room for spinning, turning, and shaking.

If you do this and the appliance is still leaking, the water hose located at the back of the washing machine might be worn out or has come loose. Take a look at the hose and tighten it.

If you tighten it and the washer still leaks, you might be having a cracked tub. Tubs are expensive to replace, so you are better off buying a new appliance.

The appliance is making a lot of noise.

One of the most common washing machine noises is the appliance sounding as if it’s about to take a flight. If this is the case with your unit, you have nothing to worry about as the unit is simply unbalanced, and all you need to do is rearrange the clothes, so they are evenly distributed.

If the machine makes the noise even when empty, it means it’s sitting on an uneven surface. To fix the problem, position the washer in such a way all four feet are level.

If neither of these solves the problem, your motor mount or drum may need tightening. Contact your local appliance technician and find out how much it will cost you to do it. Depending on the amount charged, you will assess whether it’s wise to repair the unit or get a new one.

The appliance moves around.

A properly installed appliance should stay in place when cleaning, rinsing, and spinning your clothes. If your washing machine moves around that it looks as if it’s walking, you have a problem.

Begin with checking whether it’s level, and if it’s not, level it.

Even if your walking machine is functioning as well as a stationary one, you should know it’s not normal for a machine to move around. One of the issues that can come about is the appliance sloshing water outside the unit and ruining the floors and other parts of the house.

The walking machine also has high chances of pulling itself free of its connections, and it comes to an abrupt stop.

Ask an experienced professional to look into the problem, and if there is no way you can stop the appliance from walking, get a new one.

Water doesn’t fill the drum.

When your drum’s washer isn’t filling up, it means you have a delayed cycle selection, a problem with your hot and cold water faucets, and a kink in your hose. If you check all of the three and see no problem, your unit might be having a complication with the water intake valve or filter, and this needs to be looked at by a professional.

Sometimes the drum might fill with water, but it doesn’t turn as it should. If this is the case, take a look at the lid switch and belts and ensure they are working as well as they should.

Malfunctioning belts are easy to replace, but if the problem is with the lid switch, the washer repair Springfield professional needs to put in some work. Get a few quotes from different contractors and compare them. Is it worth fixing the lid switch issue or getting a new appliance? It’s up to you to make the decision.

What Is Wrong With My Washer? Here Are Some Of The Most Common Washer Problems As Given By Washer Repair Experts

The dishwasher experiences plenty of problems that not only make it hard to wash your clothes, but also end up damaging your clothes. You can solve some of the issues by yourself while others require you to hire a washer repair professional.

Are you wondering, what is wrong with my washer? Here are some of the most common washer problems and how to solve them:

Washer vibration

Does your washer vibrate when cleaning? This is a common problem when you use an unleveled appliance, you load an unbalanced laundry, or you use a machine that isn’t in contact with the floor.

For you to fix this problem, ensure that the washer feet are firmly in contact with the floor. You should level or balance the washer and tighten the jam nuts so that the legs and feet don’t shift.

Also, check the floor for sagging. If it has sagged, add a piece of plywood under the washer to keep it level.

If the laundry is loaded unevenly, rearrange it and load it correctly to avoid the shifting. If you are mid-cycle, pause the cycle and spread the clothes through the drum. Evenly distribute the weighty items such as towels and heavy garments, so there isn’t just one heavy clump being spun around.

Leaking water

Your appliance will leak due to many reasons. One of the most common ones is if the washer isn’t level or properly loaded. It will also leak if the hoses aren’t tightly attached or the hose washers are worn out or improperly inserted.

The first thing you should check is whether the appliance is properly balanced. If not, you need to balance the washing machine. You also should confirm whether the washer basket is out of alignment, causing the water to splash out.

Go around all the hoses and tighten the connections. Ensure that the hose washers aren’t cracked or broken. Also, confirm that they have seated properly in the hose.

Also, pay attention to the water lines and faucets. Are they leaking? If they are, seal them.

You also should confirm that the washer is draining properly, and the drain hose isn’t clogged with hair, lint or a wayward sock.

Using the wrong detergents can also cause the machine to leak, so check the detergent you are using. If you have been using the wrong soaps, the chances are that you have excess suds that could be causing the drum to overfill and leak.

If the leak is small and coming from the front of the machine, it might be coming from the door. This leakage could be due to a seal that might have worn out due to age. To fix the problem, reapply the seal.

Washer making a lot of noise

While the appliance shouldn’t be dead silent, it shouldn’t be too noisy either. In most cases, the appliance will make a lot of noise when there are foreign objects inside, or a part inside has gotten loose.

Different noises come about due to various reasons. For example, gurgling noises indicate something obstructing the drain line. All you need to do is to remove the blockage and prevent it from becoming a full-blown clog.

Is your appliance making clicking sounds? The sounds are often due to objects lodged in the washer drain. The chances are that you missed removing a coin or any other item from the pocket. You need to simply check the drains and remove the foreign object.

If your unit is making humming or buzzing sounds, you might be having a foreign object lodged in your pump. A foreign object tends to jam the system. If the damage is extensive, you have no way out other than to replace the pump. If there is no damage, removing the object is enough to fix the problem.

Bad smell coming from the washer

Even if they are designed to clean clothes, they also get dirty, and when you don’t clean them early enough, they start smelling. The smell is also transferred to the clothes, and you end up having to rewash them.

To fix the problem, you simply need to wash the washing machine. Also, ask an experienced appliance repair Fairfax professional to look around for mold and mildew growth as you might be having a problem with excessive moisture.

Washer Repair: Common Washer Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Washer repair professionals report that most of the washer problems are due to the many mistakes that people make when they are using their washing machines. Here are some of the most common washer mistakes and what you should do go about them:

Maintenance mistakes

How you take care of the washer has a great impact on how it operates and how long it lasts. One of the mistakes that people make is failing to replace or check the water hoses. Water hoses are one of the most integral parts of the washer; therefore, when you aren’t inspecting them, you are making a serious mistake.

When you don’t inspect the hoses you can’t tell when they develop issues which often gets you by surprise.

For peace of mind you need to undertake regular water hose inspection. When you notice a crack or any other problem, you should replace the hose immediately. Some people tend to ignore the problem which leads to flooding of the house. As you might have guessed, this leads to house damage.

Another mistake that people make is failing to level their washing machines. When you work with an unleveled washing machine, the unit keeps on making annoying noises. The unleveled appliance also tends to scratch the floor causing damage to the floor and the machine.

For you to save money and have peace of mind, you should ensure that your washing machine is leveled all the time. One of the quickest ways of going about it is purchasing a leveler kit for your machine.

Washing machine cleaning mistakes

Washing machines are designed to clean, but you also need to clean them regularly. Some people make the mistake of never cleaning them. This is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous to the machine.

Others will clean the appliances, but they will forget some of the crucial areas. For example, some will forget to clean out the lint trap or filter. The lint trap is meant to protect the washer; therefore, it’s common for debris, dirt, and other materials to stick to the unit.

If you don’t clean it early enough, it’s bound to clog leading to the tub draining improperly. The drain can also leave fuzzy remnants on your clothes before they even get to the dryer.

When you are cleaning the washing machine, ensure that you pay close attention to the lint trap and ensure that you have cleaned it thoroughly.

Another cleaning mistake that people make is failing to run a cleaning cycle. When you fail to do so, soap residues and other particles are bound to buildup in the washing machine, shortening its life.

Other homeowners will clean their appliances, but they will fail cleaning them as deeply as they are supposed to. As you might have guessed, this doesn’t give the washers the clean look that they deserve hence they keep on developing problems.

For you to clean the washers as deep as possible, you need to run the longest wash and spin cycle. You should then refill the tub again with hot water while adding one quart of white distilled vinegar. Once you are done, repeat the longest cycle.

You don’t have to hire a professional to help you with the cleaning but if you don’t have the time or you feel that you are unable to properly clean the washing machine, you should go ahead and hire an experienced expert to help you out.

Usage mistakes

Commercial appliance repair Fairfaxprofessionals report that most of the washing machine problems are as a result of poor usage. The most common mistake is overloading the machine.

When you overload the washing machine, it tends to work harder in order to spin all the clothes. This puts more tension on the parts. This not only leads to damage to the appliance, it also tends to greatly reduce the lifespan of the appliance.

Others use a lot of detergent with the aim of giving their clothes an extra clean look. There is nothing that is as misleading as this. When you use a lot of detergent you don’t give your clothes a clean look. The extra detergent tends to build up in the unit leading to clogging.