Is It Safe To Use A Noisy Washing Machine?
Hi
I just found this website after my washer needed repairs and I was googling for information.
I finally (long story) got a bloke out to look at it and he said the drum was knackered, and I need a new one. Well repairs would cost about £110 so it wasn't really worth it.
I should've asked him at the time but I never thought - is it safe to use this washer till I get a new one?
It'll take me a week or maybe two to get that sorted.
The washer still does a wash and the clothes are fine but it makes a loud knocking sound when it's washing as if
something is loose inside. I didn't use it while I was waiting for a repair man to look at it in case it caused
even more damage but seeing as it's not going to be repaired I thought I might as well use it until I get a new one, just for 2-3 washes probably.
But obviously I won't if it's dangerous; I don't know much about the insides of a washer but if this loose 'thing' could cause damage that would mean water could leak into the electrics that'd obviously be really bad!
thanks for any advice, this looks like a good site.
Solution Summary
AI-generated from this discussion
This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Noisy washing machine with rough drum; safe use not confirmed
- The problem
- The washing machine still completed washes but made a loud knocking noise during operation. The engineer reportedly said the drum was 'knackered' and that repair would cost about £110, so replacement was being considered. The drum also reportedly stuck at first when turned by hand, then turned with a rough sound.
- Likely cause
- A serious drum-related fault was reported by the attending repairman, but the exact cause of the noise was not confirmed in the discussion. The accepted reply states that whether it is safe to keep using depends entirely on what is causing the noise and how advanced the fault is.
- What fixed it
- No definite safe-to-use answer was given. The accepted advice was that nobody could say without examining the machine properly, and the owner was advised to ask the repairman whether a few more loads would be acceptable. Replacement of the washing machine was being planned rather than repair. The exact repair was not confirmed.
- Checks to try
- Engineer reportedly turned the drum by hand
- Drum reportedly stuck at first, then turned roughly
- No knocking noise when the drum was turned by hand
- Machine still completed a wash cycle
- Estimated repair cost stated as about £110
Safety: Because the cause of the noise was not confirmed, continued use was described as a gamble and there was a risk it could leak or flood. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
2 Answers
Hello Shaz and thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately no one will be able to tell you without examining the washing machine. You could always try ringing the repairman and just asking him if he thought it would be ok to just wash 3 or 4 loads in it prior to replacing it.
It would be a gamble, it may well last several more washes without a problem, or even several more weeks depending entirely on what's causing the noise and how bad it is right now. But on the other hand it could leak or even flood - again depending on what's causing the noise and how advanced it is, which are things only the engineer knows. If you find yourslef desparate and forced to risk it make sure you keep a close eye on it and try to make it not spin, or spin at its slowest speed, or turn it off once its spun for 20 or 30 seconds as on spin is where it gets a lot of stress and strain.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Thanks for that - I might text the bloke and ask him but he only looked at it for a few seconds, he just
turned the drum, which sticks at first and then turns but sounds rough (no knocking if you turn it by hand) but
I might as well ask him.
I would use it on spin reduction after washing (or they're dripping wet) which is a lot lighter than normal spin on this machine - I did that anyway in the summer to avoid wear and tear but this machine only lasted 6 years!
With 'one careful lady owner'.
hopefully I'll get a new washer on Friday. or order it anyway.
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