Without a doubt, the washing machine has become an essential element of any home over time. It is a piece of equipment that helps us and facilitates our daily tasks and, because of this, it is essential to pay attention when there are signs of wear or malfunction. Knowing how to recognize some of the most common signs that indicate there may be an underlying problem helps us make decisions that prevent irreparable failures in the future.
Next, we list some of the most common elements when detecting a problem:
Excessive noise
In general, modern washing machines are quite silent when they are performing the washing cycles, so any strange noise, louder and more persistent than usual, should draw our attention. This may indicate that, due to the wear and tear of some parts, some may have broken. It may also be that, despite not being broken, one of the components has become loose or is loose, causing noise with vibrations. Another factor that contributes to equipment noise can be a damaged motor or a broken or misaligned drum.
Increase in electricity consumption
We must rule out other possible factors before blaming the equipment for excess electrical consumption, since in our home there are a large number of appliances and devices that consume electrical energy. If we are sure that the increase is due to the use of the washing machine, it is clear that there is a fault. When the device does not operate in optimal conditions due to a problem, greater energy consumption may occur to be able to carry out normal functions.
Water losses or leaks
Obviously, a water leak from the equipment should worry us and draw our attention. It may be because the drum has a small break, the washing machine does not drain water well, or there is a damaged hose or tube in poor condition.
Poorly washed clothes
The mission of the washing machine is to leave clothes clean. If we see that after the washing cycle the clothes have stains or dirt or that the dirt persists, it may be the fault of a malfunction. This may simply be because the washing machine is dirty and needs preventive maintenance to thoroughly clean it internally, or there may be a problem with the equipment dissolving the detergent during washing.
Persistent odor
It is an indicative symptom that the equipment has a problem that will surely not be visible to the naked eye. Washing machines, especially front-loading ones, tend to retain moisture, which encourages the growth of mold and mildew, which cause bad odors. That is why it is advisable to leave the door or lid of the washing machine open for a while after finishing the wash.
Longer than usual wash cycle
The user usually knows the approximate washing time according to the chosen cycle. It is even very common for the equipment to mark the duration of each washing program on the screen. If we detect that this time is regularly exceeded and that what previously took 1 hour now takes 1 hour and a half or 2 hours, there is no doubt that there is a problem. It may be due to a failed filter, a clogged hose, a motor or pump failure or a problem with the electronic board (if it is a modern washing machine).
Paying attention to these small details can save us a lot of money in the long term, since we will be able to attack failures before they become a major problem, which will lengthen the life of our equipment .
