Common Problems With Washing Machines

Although useful for efficiently cleaning large quantities of clothing, washing machines quickly become a nuisance when they malfunction. Part of solving the dilemma is understanding what the most common problems are in order to know where to turn before spending unnecessary time and money. Many common problems with washing machines are fairly easy to fix.

Water Problems
Sometimes water will not enter the machine in order to properly wash clothing. In that case, the water may be turned off or the water fill valve, water temperature switch or timer may not be functioning correctly. A defective water valve or timer can also cause the machine to not enter the spray rinse cycle. Another issue that arises is when the water will not drain out of the machine. The drain may simply be clogged, or the drain hose or pump may be malfunctioning. Water will splash on the floor if the pump or water valve is not working, or if the machine is operating on a low level of water with a high level of agitation, which means the force that promotes all the functions of the machine.

Cycle Problems
Malfunctions of the various cycles are common as well. If no agitation occurs, the agitator spine may be stripped, or the motor or internal transmission system could be broken. If the machine will neither agitate nor spin, the belt or coupling is most likely the problem. There are a number of issues associated with either no spin or a slow spin including an open lid, defective lid switch, spin tube, wigwag, timer or wigwag wire or a drive belt that is not properly adjusted. When the motor will not run at all, first check the power cord to make sure that it is plugged in. If that does not solve the problem, issues are found in the timer, lid switch, motor or water level switch.

Other Issues
Sometimes washing machines will excessively vibrate or "walk," meaning that they begin to inch forward while the motor is running. Check inside the machine to see if there is an unbalanced load. Heavier items, such as sneakers, cause vibration as well. The load can be fixed and any unnecessary items removed. If the problem persists, other possible issues include an improperly leveled machine, a worn-out snubber, broken suspension springs or shipping pins that have not been removed. Another problem that arises with washing machines is oil leakage caused by transmission failure, which is one of the more costly issues to fix.

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About Washing Machines

Washing machines may be commonplace for the vast majority of people in societies today, but their significance can too easily be overlooked. Manual washing techniques stretching back to ancient times were often cumbersome and unseemly. One ancient Roman practice of clothes-whitening involved the use of fermented urine, and with washboards and similar techniques the process had always involved a good amount of physical exertion. Certainly the development of automated clothes-washing devices has represented an important milestone in the development of human society. D

Invented
The modern washing machine has had a number of different origins, and each of the early designs began as a manually-operated machine. The earliest known patent for a washing machine stretches all the way back to 1691. A drawing of a washing machine was published in a British "Gentleman's Magazine" dating from the 1750s. And in 1767, Jacob C. Schaffer from Germany published his own washing-machine design. In the United States, the first known washing-machine patent came in 1797.

Evolution
The first full-fledged washing machine--though still manually operated--came in 1843 with John Turnbull's "Clothes Washer with Wringing Rolls." It was not until the early 1900s, with the advent of electricity, that washing machines were able to be fully automated. As electricity became more prominent throughout the United States and Europe, washing machine sales exploded and became nearly ubiquitous. By 1940, 60 percent of homes with electricity were equipped with a washing machine.

Type
Today washing machines come in two main varieties: front-loading and top-loading. It is traditionally understood that top-loading washing machines are more common in Australia, the United States and Canada, while most of Europe and the Middle East prefer the front-loading variety. Front-loaders are thought to be less mechanically-complicated than top loaders, due to the technical design necessities arising out of each. Nevertheless, top-loading machines have their advantages, among them being easier to keep the water from leaking through the door.

Features
Standard features on washing machines include water temperature variability, child-proof locks, delayed wash capabilities, steaming and different kinds of wash cycles for different kinds of clothes. Each feature can be controlled by a turn of a knob or a push of the button. Many modern washing machines even have the ability to save settings of previous washes, which can make the process even easier.

Significance
Washing machines, aside from their technological innovations, have in the eyes of some revolutionized domestic life on a sociological level. Some historians have speculated that the increased popularity of the washing machine (and other automated domestic devices) contributed to the rise of the women's liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some have lamented the mechanization of domestic life, longing for the simpler days of rewarding manual labor. Regardless of perspective, the washing machine has had an important impact on the shape and contour of modern life.

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