How do you check a washer pump filter?

You probably know to clean the lint trap in your dryer, but do you know your washer has a similar filter? It does, and it’s likely overdue for a cleaning.

Jolie Kerr is a cleaning expert and the author of the New York Times bestselling book, My Boyfriend Barfed In My Handbag . And Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha. Her work has appeared in GQ, Cosmopolitan, The New York Times and Town & Country. A graduate of Barnard College, Jolie lives in a tiny Manhattan apartment with her five vacuum cleaners.

Aktualizováno 18. prosince 2023
Přehled projektu

• Pracovní doba: 10 minut
• Úroveň dovednosti: Začátečník
• Odhadované náklady: $ 5

Chances are you know your dryer has a vent and lint trap that needs cleaning regularly. But you might not realize there’s a washing machine filter to catch and trap lint and other debris. This filter needs to be cleaned to ensure that your washer runs safely and at peak performance. Neglecting to clean a washing machine filter can leave clothes dirty and smelly and, over time, can cause damage to the machine itself.

Cleaning a washing machine filter requires locating it (this might be the trickiest part!), soaking and scrubbing it clean, replacing it, and running a short, empty wash cycle. This article provides all the information you need to clean the filter successfully, including how often it needs to be done.

Locating the Washing Machine Filter

To locate the filter on your washing machine, consult the owner’s manual. Typically, the filter will be located in one of these places:

• In the center agitator
• In the drum’s top lip
• Behind a trap door on the front exterior of the machine
• Near the water pump or at the end of the drainage hose

If you no longer have a physical copy of the owner’s manual, it is likely available online and can be found by searching the make and model of your washer and the phrase «user manual.» Visual learners might benefit from seeking out instructional videos, which can be found on YouTube. Many washing machine manufacturers offer instructional videos on their websites or social media channels.

It’s also worth noting that many newer machines, including high-efficiency (HE) models, don’t have a filter, instead relying on self-cleaning in the machine’s pump mechanism. These types of filters generally do not require owner maintenance.

How Often to Clean a Washing Machine Filter

Manufacturer instructions regarding the frequency with which to clean a washing machine filter vary. It’s best to consult the user manual for your particular machine, but general guidelines range from cleaning a washing machine filter once a month to cleaning the filter twice yearly.

Usage also plays a role in how often to clean a washing machine filter. Those in large households who use their washers more often than smaller households or who regularly launder heavily soiled items like outdoor work clothes or cloth diapers will want to clean the filter more frequently.

Signs that it’s time to clean the filter include:

• Lint buildup or dirt deposits, including excess detergent, on clothes after washing
• Improper drainage that leaves clothes soaking wet at the end of the wash cycle
• A mildewy smell that indicates there is standing water in the washer’s mechanisms

Some washers have disposable lint traps; when these types of filters become clogged, it is time to replace them.

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Zařízení / Nástroje

• Čistící tkanina
• Štětec s měkkými štětinami
• Svítilna (volitelné)
• Shallow basin or old towel (optional)

M any problems, such as the machine not draining properly, or stopping part way through a cycle, are caused by foreign objects finding their way into the pump area. This sometimes happens with small socks or colour catchers, but you should ensure that collar stiffeners and other small loose objects are removed from clothes before washing.

Please note that if an object of this sort damages the machine, you would be responsible for the cost of fixing/replacing the machine.

If your machine is not full of water, follow the directions below: u Check that you have an access panel to the pump filter. This is usually at the bottom front of the machine.

– Open the panel; be careful as they are often flimsy.

– Make sure you have a towel to hand in case there is water in the filter.

– If your machine is not full of water, unscrew the filter anticlockwise and you should be able to remove the filter.

– If there is a foreign object in the filter, remove it and replace the filter, taking care to close it completely to prevent leaks.

How to check the pump filter on your washing machine’

If your machine is full of water, follow the directions below:

– Locate and open the access panel, as left.

– Some machines have a drain tube next to the pump filter, which can be pulled out, and used to slowly drain the water from the machine, into a sink or bucket.

– If your machine does not have a drain tube, place a bowl in front of the machine, under the pump filter.

– Make sure you have plenty of towels on the floor as the water can drain very quickly.

– Slowly open the filter and drain the water into the bowl.

– When the bowl is full, tighten the filter, empty the bowl and star t again until no more water drains from the machine.

– You are then free to remove the filter and check for foreign objects.

Please note that some machines, particularly older ones, don’t have accessible pump filters, or have filters that are accessed in a different way. You should always refer to the Greater London Properties handbook when carrying out maintenance, and if you can’t find an access panel, or you are unable to carry out the instructions, call your Greater London Property Manager, who will arrange for an engineer to attend. Hopefully this article has answered your question on ‘How to check the pump filter on your washing machine’.

A Broken Washing Machine Pump Filter and Other Common Washing Machine Problems:

While many washing machine problems might be caused by the pump, but there are other issues that might arise ranging from too much detergent to flooding the room. There’s never a good time for your washing machine to start acting up, however, the good news is that most of the time, it’s an easy fix. With a little bit of troubleshooting, you may be able to get an idea of where the problem originated from in order to repair it.

Nezapíná se:

If your washing machine isn’t responding when you switch it on, the good news is that there might be a simple fix. The best place to start is by checking the power supply. You can use a multimeter to check the outlet voltage to make sure that your washing machine is getting power. This could be a simple issue such as a tripped circuit breaker.

Motor Problems:

If the motor has overheated, your washing machine will shut down in order to allow the temperature to cool down before you can start it again. This is usually not a problem if it only happens a couple of times, but you should get in touch with Greater London Properties who can call out a professional to find out why your motor is overheating frequently if it’s happening a lot.

Draining the Washing Machine Outlet Filter:

A clogged drain house could be a reason why your washing machine is not draining correctly. To fix this problem, you should remove the hose and inspect it for any signs of blockages. You can flush any stubborn blockages from the hose using a garden hose or get in touch with Greater London Properties maintenance if you require a replacement.

Foreign Objects Stuck in the Washing Machine Pump Filter or Elsewhere:

Sometimes we can accidentally put objects such as pens or coins into the washing machine along with clothes without realising. Most of the time you might find these in the drum once the wash has ended, however, they can also become lodged in the pump and prevent the washing machine’s ability to drain properly.

Large Loads:

It’s important to avoid overloading your washing machine since it will become unbalanced if there are too many clothes in the same load. This can lead to problems with the washing machine’s spin cycle. If you are dealing with this problem, you will need to adjust the load to ensure that the washing machine is balanced. Do this by removing some of the clothes to lighten the load or replace them to ensure that they are placed evenly in the drum.

Problémy s pásem:

Washing machines have a number of belts that can show signs of damage or even break with wear and tear. Broken or worn belts that are preventing your washing machine from working correctly can be replaced with new ones. You should also check that the pulley hasn’t seized if your washing machine has a broken belt. A seized pulley will usually cause the belt to break and will need repairing or replacing to avoid the same thing happening to a replacement belt.

Úniky:

There are several potential causes for a washing machine to leak, but the good news is that many leaks are simple fixes and do not always lead to an expensive repair bill or the need to completely replace your machine. Some of the most common causes of washing machine leaks include:

#1. Problems With the Drain Hose:

If your washing machine is only leaking during the spin cycle, the drain hose is likely to be the problem. Check the connections on the hose to ensure that they are secured, and visually inspect the drain hose’s condition to ensure that it is free of damage such as cracks. Clogs in the drain hose may also be the cause of the leaks, so it’s important to check for blockages too. Inspect the area where the drain hose attaches to the washing machine for any cracks or leakage. Re-clamping the hose may be useful, but in many cases, you may need a new hose.

#2. Fill Hose:

Your washing machine’s fill hose might also be the cause of leaks. Check the fill hoses to ensure that they are securely in place and in good repair. A new rubber washer should always be used if you replace the fill hose or before putting it back after removing it.

#3. Too Much Detergent:

In some cases, too much detergent could be a simple reason for a washing machine that is leaking. Having too many suds in the washer can cause them to spill over, which appears like a leak. You can easily fix this problem by simply reducing the amount of detergent that you are using for each wash.

#4. Door Seal Problems:

Finally, a front-load washing machine’s door seal may deteriorate over time, which can cause water to leak from the machine.

If you would like to know more about Greater London Properties In House Property Management please call us on 0207 734 4062. We work with all our tenants to keep costs at a minimal and solve any issues within 24 hours. All our contractors are within 1 mile of our branches and every Landlord has a dedicated Property Manager with their direct office line, mobile phone number and email. Our costs are absolutely transparent and we get three quotes before moving forward with any work.