Washing machine faults are a horrible surprise that cause household chaos. Getting your appliance fault diagnosed and fixed is an administrative headache, too, with a baffling choice of spare parts. According to consumer guide Which? , the commonest reaction to an appliance fault is to replace the machine. But by repairing rather than replacing an appliance, you’re keeping it in use for that little bit longer, which may be better for the environment and perhaps for your pocket. So how do you decide if your faulty washing machine can be repaired?

If you are at all uncertain about doing a DIY repair to electrical goods such as a washing machine, call in a professional washing machine repairer.

Checklist for washing machine repairs

The first thing to do when deciding whether to repair or replace a washing machine is to gather some information about the appliance and the fault.

• How old is your washing machine? It is often more economical to replace a washing machine that is older than ten years. Technology moves on and it may be that a newer washing machine is an appliance switch you can make to save money.
• Make a note of what the problem with your washing machine is and take photos and videos if appropriate.
• Get your washing machine make and model by finding the full model number on the rating plate on the door or door seal.
• Check whether your machine is in warranty and find out what the warranty covers.

If your washing machine is still under warranty, or you have been paying for a care plan, contact the manufacturer with your checklist information handy. They will arrange for an engineer to take a look.

What washing machine faults can I fix myself?

Some washing machine faults can be corrected with a quick bit of DIY and maintenance. Check your appliance’s manuals for troubleshooting instructions to see if it matches your issue.

For example, you may need to clean the detergent line and filter. Running a service wash – a special programme for cleaning your machine – can help, too, and it’s worth doing this once a month.

And take a look at the information on how large a load to wash. Although it’s more efficient to do a few big washes each week, rather than lots of small washes, overloading your machine can stop it from working properly.

Some washing machine parts, such as the door lock and the filter are easy to obtain from the manufacturer and can be replaced by the owner.

What faults mean my washer is not worth repairing?

Faults with a washing machine drum are usually very expensive to repair and it is often cheaper to get a new machine.

What washing machine faults should I call in a technician for?

The following are washing machine emergencies:

• touching the machine gives you even a small electric shock
• you can smell burning coming from the washing machine

Turn off the machine at the plug and do not use it again until an engineer has taken a look.

Any electrical faults with your washing machine will need the attention of a professional, and so do more complex repairs, like the door interlock, or replacing the standby switch.

Can I keep a washing machine in a storage unit?

You can keep a washing machine in a storage unit if it is clean and dry. Note, however, that washing machines are heavy and moving them is definitely a two-person job. A washing machine kept in a storage unit, like any other type of domestic goods, will be covered by your self-storage insurance with Store and Insure.