Noisy Washing Machine
Whether it’s a full or half load, the washing machine never seems to sleep, as there will always be clothes that need washing – either it’s your favourite top from last night, work uniform or the dirty kitchen towels. With countless loads of washing, the washer can come under strain causing it to sing out of harmony.
If your washing machine is making strange unexplained noises, this article could be just the lending hand in diagnosing the possible problems.
Cause 1
Unbalanced Load
When your washing machine shakes so aggressively that it sounds and looks like it's about to blast into orbit - you will need to identify the cause. A very common cause is that your wash load could be too heavy and are unevenly balanced within the drum.
To best test your machine:
- Empty the drum and run a spin cycle
- If when empty the problem does not occur - you can suspect a balance problem
If the machine operates as normal then the fault originally lies with the appliance being loaded with one or two heavy weighing items. To help counter this problem, separate your heavy garments and perform a “heavy wash”
Balancing heavy garments by adding further items of a similar size and weight will help the load to distributed evenly in your machine during the cycle. This will then allow the drum to spin more efficiently.
Cause 2
Drum Bearings
One of the main culprits for a washing machine ringing out of tune is failed drum bearings; known to be a common fault and is one that will require your full attention. If the three statements below are true, you can suspect the bearings being the reason for your washer creating a thunder.
- Bearings are likely to get worn or damaged while spinning if the machine has had a lot of use or had repeated loads that are out of balance.
- Open the door and spin the drum by hand, if it makes a loud rumbling noise it is likely to be due to worn bearings.
- Check for movement between the drum lip and the door seal, if the gap changes when you apply a little upward pressure at the top edge; it indicates worn bearings and they are likely to require replacement.
eSpares Top Tip: You can avoid unbalanced loads by washing your heavy items such as towels and blankets separately and balancing out the load in the drum itself.
If you require a replacement set of bearings to replace your existing set see our extensive range of drum bearings to restore your washing machine.
For our guide on how to replace bearing in a washing machine watch our video for further details.
Cause 3
Drain Pump
The drain pump in your washer channels out the water before the spin cycle starts. So if you hear loud noises at certain intervals during the spin cycle or when emptying the water, it may be the drain pump is either clogged or damaged. This can be a simple fix by removing the drain pump and any debris that may be clogging it up causing the noise.
Checking your pump:
- When removing the filter (if fitted) from the front of the machine ensure you place something suitable underneath to catch the water
- Remove any debris from the filter and chamber checking the pump impeller rotates freely and clear from items such as coins, hair clips or rubber bands etc.
- Refit the filter and retry the machine on a rinse cycle.
If the noise continues, it is a sign that the pump may need replacing.
See our guide to get your drain pump functioning again to its full potential.
Cause 4
Unwanted Items in Your Washing Machine
We’ve all been there, treasure hunting trying to find hair grips and loose change in our washers which you accidentally missed in your pocket. After taking out a clean load of clothes, the last thing you want is having to dig out coins and socks soaked in sticky grease and grime that have got caught around or behind the drum. Luckily, we have a few tips and tricks on how to maintain your washing machine so that it doesn’t screech with each cycle.
- If your machine is noisy and the drum is stiff to turn when moving or appears to catch, it may be due to something stuck in the machine.
- If there is a scratching noise when the drum turns, open the door and carefully look at all the drum holes to see if you can see a bra wire or similar poking through one of the holes.
- If you find something - carefully remove it and check the hole has not been damaged leaving a sharp edge, use a cross head screwdriver to remove any sharp edges.
Hopefully, these easy fixes have helped you diagnose the cause of your washing machine being noisy.
For other items stuck between the drum and the tub please see our video giving you a full guide on removing them.
Cause 5
Installation
Typically the user manual (your manual may be located here) for your washing machine will specify how to install your appliance. But if you’ve lost it and have questions, we’ve got the answers below:
- Make sure all the transit bolts are removed and the feet are adjusted correctly according to your floor level to ensure the washer doesn’t rock when pushed from side to side.
- Check the washing machine does not make contact with any kitchen cabinets as the unwanted noise and vibration will only get louder.
- If you’re placing your washing machine on a wooden suspended floor, you may need to reinforce the floor by using a marine ply board.
- Fitting a washer in an old building or garage may require a paving slab to increase the mass and lower the amount of noise emitted.
For further information on installing a washing machine, see our video below.
