Maintenance Tips That Can Help You Avoid Washer Appliance Repair

For many homeowners, the washing machine is the appliance that they perform the least maintenance on. This is not a surprise, as many people do not realize that their washer needs to be maintained. Once they install the machine, they assume that it is supposed to be left alone until it is time to wash clothes. However, performing routine maintenance every once in a while can save you the time and expense of having to have your Washer Appliance Repaired. Here are some washer maintenance steps that people commonly overlook. By following these maintenance tips, you can prevent the need for your appliance to be repaired.

Clean the Gasket

This maintenance tip applies to front load washers. If you have a front load washer, you may have noticed that over time it has started to smell. You may have also noticed that your clothes do not smell clean either. This could be because you are not cleaning the door gasket. Front loading washers have a rubber gasket that the door seals into. Due to the fact that the washing drum on front loading washing machines lies on its side, water, dirt, and other debris can often become trapped in this gasket. Over time, this can cause bacteria, mildew, and even mold to grow, which causes the unpleasant odor.

In order to better maintain this issue, it is important that you clean out this gasket with a disinfectant. Then to prevent this issue from reoccurring, wipe out any excess water that may be in this gasket after each time you run your washing machine. You can also run an empty load of laundry with some bleach a couple times a month, which should help to prevent any odors. Taking care of this gasket issue can save you money on repairs. Often times, people believe that the smell they are smelling is a sign that something is wrong with their machine, so they unnecessarily call a repair service.

Maintain Your Water-fill Hoses

Many people do not realize that it is imperative to inspect your washing machines water hoses every few months in order to ensure that they are in good condition. If you notice that one of the hoses looks like it is deteriorating, or if there is a bump or bulge in one of them, it is necessary that you replace the hose. A bump or bulge is a sign of a weakening hose that could soon burst. If your hose were to burst, it could cause serious water damage to your home. While it is a good idea to check your hoses on a regular basis, it is also recommended that you replace your hoses every 4-5 years to ensure that they are in good condition. For your peace of mind, it may also be beneficial to switch to a high quality stainless steel hose.

Following these maintenance tips can help save you money on damages, and can help prevent you from having to call a repair service as often. However, if something does go wrong with your machine, in order to be safe it is best to have a specialist repair your washer. Contact us to learn more about maintaining your appliance and to learn when it is necessary to get your washer repaired.