Should I buy an Intergrated washing machine?
Just over a year ago (you guessed it warranty is up ) we had a new kitchen fitted complete with shiny new intergrated washing machine, kitchen and appliances were from Howdens.
Machine developed faults 3 times in 12 months ,now has started making terrible noise and refusing to spin ,drain water.
I have checked it best I can ie pump,filter etc no blockages.Phoned manufacturer theyare looking for £90 just to visit my house.
Phoned a local company they were polite but not interested .
Given new kitchen I am stuck with buying another intergrated machine can you please recommend and would you recommend a washer /dryer
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Integrated washing machine noisy, not spinning or draining; buying advice requested
- The problem
- A Howdens integrated washing machine, model APM8522, had developed faults three times within 12 months. After the warranty expired it began making a terrible noise and would not spin or drain. The owner reported checking the pump and filter and found no blockage.
- Likely cause
- The strongest diagnosis suggested in the discussion was a possible faulty drain pump or a small obstruction jamming the pump impeller. This was presented as a possibility rather than a confirmed fault.
- What fixed it
- No repair was confirmed. The accepted advice was that integrated washing machines can be difficult and more expensive to repair because access, parts and technical information may be problematic. The owner was advised to find a reputable repairer if attempting repair. If replacement was necessary and an integrated model had to be bought, the recommendation was to choose a mainstream brand such as Zanussi rather than a badge-engineered built-in-only brand. Separate guidance on washer-dryers was referenced, but no specific washer-dryer recommendation was given in the thread.
- Checks to try
- Checked pump
- Checked filter
- No blockage found
- Model number supplied: APM8522
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
3 Answers
Hello Tommy,
I dislike integrated washing machines, and so do many washing machine repairers. As such they can be more difficult to get repaired because many engineers just won't look at them. The reasons they steer clear of them are -
They are (er) built in, and can be very hard to get out to repair. Sometimes a real pain. I've been to some that took 20 minutes to successfully get out and were even harder to fit back. Many have floor tiles buttressed up to them and either will not come out full stop - or have to be lifted over but the kitchen worktop prevents lifting the machine high enough to do it easily
Parts and technical information are harder to obtain for many engineers who aren't agents for the built ins
You have to be constantly extra cautious about damaging floors and cupboards
It can be impossible to get the washing machine back exactly as it was before (to the satisfaction of the customer).
You tend to get the majority of washing machine repairers sticking with the free standing washing machines but if you find the right repairer you can get built in washing machines repaired as some repairers do them all the time but often charge a premium price.
From your description, there is a chance that your washing machine may just need a new pump, or there could be a small obstruction jamming the impeller. If you would rather try to get it repaired, you may be able find a reputable repairman using this link. book washing machine repair
If you have no choice but to buy an integrated washing machine, I personally would go for a Zanussi, which most independent washing machine repairer's should be able to fix (as long as they are willing to deal with a built in) I wouldn't go for one of those brands that only do built in washing machines.
I have a section on whether buying a washer dryer is a good idea or not - Washer-dryer, or separate washing machine and dryer - which is the best?
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Many thanks for reply and advice if it is any help the model number on the manual reads APM8522
not sure if we just have a poor machine sorry for my ignorance here dont know what you mean by brands that only do built in washing machines ,then again maybe that is what we have got
dont want to put you on the spot but what is areasonable price I should expect to pay for a decent machine such as Zanussi
Cheers
There are some brands of washing machine that only appear as built ins. Some are badged up for kitchen manufacturers. Many of them are very hard to get information and parts on. Zanussi (and some other washing machine manufacturers) are well established in the UK, their built in washing machines aren't very much different. So as long as a repairman wants to deal with the extra problems associated with built in washing machines (listed in my last post) they should be able to repair a Zanussi one.
My advice would be to avoid built in washing machines, but if this isn't practical or you really prefer built in appliances then buy a brand who gets good reviews or recommended on Washerhelp. If a manufacturer makes decent free standing washing machines, their built in washing machines should be little different. Likewise, if a company makes rubbish free standing washing machines, they aren't going to make good built in washing machines.
The best way to get an idea of prices is to use a price comparison site like the one built into this site. You can see amazing differences in prices of the exact same washing machine sold by dozens of different companies. I've seen the same washing machine listed as much as £130 cheaper than another supplier.
(Related: Comprehensive free advice to assist your washing machine buying decision. Compare washing machine prices and buy a washing machine online Buying appliances)
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