Common Laundry Plumbing Problems In The Typical Home

It can be a complete nightmare when the washing machine breaks down or decides to have a temper tantrum for no apparent reason. We just want to be able to put a load of clothes in the washer, switch it on, and return to clean laundry. This often means that we take these appliances for granted. There is actually a pretty complex system of pipes, valves and other mechanisms that create a clean, effective laundry cycle. Many of these elements can develop faults, which brings our laundry chores to a grinding halt.

common-laudry-problems

Here are some of the more common problems to watch out for.


1) Floods and leaks


The worst case scenario here is that something goes wrong with the machine or associated plumbing and there is a leak or flood in the room. Some people may catch this pretty quickly if they are home, or if the leak occurs right after setting up the cycle. But, what about those that set the machine up and leave the machine running while they are out? They may return to water flooding the kitchen, or seeping through the floor. This can damage the floors and put the property at risk of damp. These leaks and floods could be the result of clogs in the drains. The grey water from the machine can be full of fluff and debris from the wash cycle. Over time this puts pressure on the pipes. These clogs, in addition to general wear and age, mean that the pipes can crack or even burst.


2) A lack of water


Here we have an issue at the other end of the scale. Instead of finding far too much water, you find that there isn’t enough going into the machine in the first place. A lack of water can disrupt the washing cycle so that it is less effective. This could result in dirty clothes or other problems. Some machines may not run the cycle at all. This could be down to a couple of issues, the first is the supply pipe to the machine. There is a dedicated water line from the interior plumbing providing the machine with enough clean water – when it works at least. This could be faulty or blocked. Then there is the machine itself. Many of the best machines have filters to ensure that water going into the wash is as clean as possible. Blocks and clogs here could slow the water rate, leading to a lack of water within the machine


3) The machine doesn’t want to use the water at all


Finally, there may be just the right amount of water entering and leaving the machine, with no leaks and floods. But, it does so without washing the clothes. There are cases where the water just drains through a machine and doesn’t wash the clothes. You may set the cycle up and here the machine starts to fill up, but then it doesn’t enter the drum. This could be a problem with the valves or the pump. These features are essential in order to control the level and pressure of the water. If either of these elements fails, your machine will fail to hold the right amount of water in the right place, and therefore won't clean your clothes.

Call on a professional plumber to help you with any of these issues

There really is no point in trying to fix washing machines and laundry plumbing issues by yourself. The worst case scenario here is that you make the situation even worse, perhaps increasing the flood or damaging the machine beyond repair. This will just end up with you wasting more time and money than you would have by calling on a plumber in the first place. An experienced plumber can take a look inside the machine and survey the pipes leading in and out of the system. From there, they can make repairs and help you solve the problem. If you are in need of urgent assistance with your washing machine, give East and Hills Plumbing a call today on 0414 654 568. We will make sure that your laundry cycle is back in action before long.