Last updated: December 11, 2021 at 22:34 pm
Washing machines are convenient, hassle free and a great time saver – most of the time. When they work properly, it’s plain sailing and you’ll be able to go about your day without ever thinking about it. But, when they go wrong, they can be an absolute nightmare. For instance, if you don’t have a quiet machine… it may make loud noises whilst operating.
But what are the most common issues in washing machines, and why do they become so noisy?
IN THIS ARTICLE
Common Washing Machine Issues
Issues with your washing machine are normally one of three things. Either it’s noisy when on a spin cycle, it makes a loud banging noise, or excessively vibrates and moves.
Noisy When on Spin Cycle
If you notice a lot of noise when your washing machine is on its spin cycle, then there’s a good chance that that there’s an issue with the washing machine’s bearings. You can test whether your drum bearings have a problem by spinning the drum with your hand. Any excessive noise is a good indicator that your bearings will need replacement.
You can also test wheel bearing failure by checking the actual drum. The drum is normally located just behind the door, at the top and you should be able to reach it by hand. If the drum moves without resistance, then you’ll be able to tell that the reason for your noise on a spin cycle is because of bad wheel bearings.
Making a Loud Banging Noise
If your washing machine makes a loud banging noise when you put it on a cycle, then you may think that it’s a serious problem. However, loud banging noises are usually easy to fix. Both newer models as well as older, more worn in models can face these problems, and they’re more common than you’d think.
Firstly, you many overload the washing machine. Failing to stick to the weight limit can cause the inner tub to spin improperly, which could lead to damage. You should also make sure to evenly distribute your washing, so you don’t place too much weight in your machine, as this could also cause a loud banging noise, and subsequent damage.
There may also be a problem with the drive pulley, which is what rotates the inner tub of your machine. If there are any issues with the drive pulley, then you’re probably going to hear some loud banging noises when you turn your washing machine on.
A final issue that causes a loud banging noise is broken shock absorber. Shock absorbers can become detached easily, which can cause several problems, leading to a loud banging noise. For instance, detached shock absorbers will mean that the inner tub moves position, which will cause it to bang when it spins, and could even lead to pretty serious damage over time.
So, if you hear a loud banging noise when you turn your washing machine on, you’ll need to get it looked at as soon as possible, or it could end up breaking your machine.
Vibration and Movement
It’s perfectly normal for your washing machine to vibrate a little when it’s on a cycle. However, excessive vibrating and movement can be a sign of serious issues. Excessive vibration is usually because of an uneven floor surface. If you leave your washing machine to walk all over the place, then you’ll be risking some pretty serious damage. In fact, you may damage the drum, which is an integral part of the washing machine. You could also end up damaging your floor if left for a long period. Before it gets to that, it might be worthwhile investing in a good anti vibration mat.
So, there are a lot of issues that your washing machine can run into. If you address these as soon as you become aware of them, then you’ll probably stop any damage, and save yourself a lot of headaches in the future. But, if you leave them, then you risk irreversible damage to your washing machine, which could end up costing you a lot of money.
But why does my washing machine produce so much noise?
5 Reasons Your Washing Machine is Noisy
Noise from a washing machine can usually be attributed to five factors: Drum bearings, an uneven load, the feet aren’t aligned, the filter is clogged, or there is an object stuck in the seal. Let’s look at each one in a bit more detail.
1. Drum Bearings
Faulty drum bearings is one of the most common reasons why your washing machine so noisy. Drum bearings are what cause the drum to spin. If they are damaged, then every time the drum spins, (which is does a lot when on a cycle) then you’ll hear a loud, banging noise.
Checking the drum bearings for yourself is really easy. Simply turn the machine off, and manually spin the drum. If it makes noise, then you’ve got a problem with the drum bearings. You could also lift the drum, as previously mentioned, to diagnose the problem.
Washing machine drum bearings can be expensive to replace, so look around for quotes to try to find the best price. If you find the problem early enough, you may be able to save the bearings, but unfortunately, they’ll normally only start making noticeable noise when it’s too late.
2. Uneven Load
It’s easy to create an unbalanced load when you put a cycle onto wash, but this can easily cause your machine to make loud noises and could also end in damage. To avoid uneven damage, simply make sure you don’t put only heavy items, like towels, or only very light clothing in your machine at once.
Heavy items like towels will absorb a great amount of water when put in by themselves, which can end up causing a lot of damage to the drum. Avoiding this will help you to even out the load in the drum, stopping those annoying noises when you put the cycle on.
3. Feet Aren’t Aligned
If your washing machine’s feet aren’t aligned, then you may notice your machine ‘walking around’ whilst it’s on a cycle. This can produce some extremely annoying vibrations and noise, but luckily, there is a quick fix.
All you’ll have to do is get some rubber feet that can be adjusted. Then, install the rubber feet onto your machine, and make sure that they’re properly aligned with each other. This should stop the machine vibrating, as it will have a secure base.
Rubber feet are extremely inexpensive and can save you a lot of hassle down the line, because failing to address this problem can result in irreversible machine damage.
4. Filter is Clogged
A clogged filter can cause all kinds of issues for your washing machine, including loud noises. Things like coins, wires, and anything else that you might have lying in your pockets can end up in the filter, and over time, these items really build up. The result is that, whenever you turn your washing machine on, you’ll hear terrible banging.
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Luckily, cleaning out a washing machine filter is an easy task. Your owner’s manual will have a method tailored to your machine. Simply locate the filter, which is usually at the front, towards the bottom of the machine. Follow your instructions and you might have just fixed your washing machine. Doing this regularly will prevent any build-up of debris, helping your washing machine to stay in perfect condition.
5. Object Stuck in the Seal
Have you ever left some change in your pocket, and then went on to put your trousers in the wash? This is something that we’re all guilty of, but it might just be the reason that your washing machine is so noisy. Loose change and other metal, such as bra wires, can easily get stuck in the seal, causing loud banging and scraping noises.
To fix this problem, all you’ll have to do is regularly clean the rubber seal. Check all the way around to make sure that you don’t miss any loose scrap. It’s also a good idea to clean the rubber seal often, because this is one of the main areas where mould can gather on your washing machine.
Conclusion
Overall, there a variety of reasons why your washing machine may be too loud. It’s extremely annoying, inconvenient, and worrying when you hear your washing machine make these noises. But luckily, most of these issues can be fixed quickly, and in the long run, fixing them will save you a lot of time and money, because leaving these issues can result in permanent damage to your washing machine.
If you’re ever unsure of why your washing machine is making such loud noises, or you’ve worked your way through the list of solutions, and your washing machine is still making noises, then your best option is to call a professional. They will be able to properly diagnose the issue and offer advice on what to do next. But give it a go for yourself first, as the issue may be very simple, and you could save a lot of money.
