Your washing machine is one of the most important household appliances. Although there is a lot of convenience added to one’s everyday life but as washing machines are electrical appliances, they can run into problems as well. One common problem faced by homeowners is that the washing machine keeps filling and draining at the same time. This problem usually requires an appliance repair expert to inspect and fix, however, you should know what causes it. Below are the causes of a washer that keeps filling with water and draining.

Faulty Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve happens to be an important component of the washing machine. This component is responsible for allowing the machine to fill itself with water. When it detects that the machine is low on water, it will allow water to flow in and then shut off the water supply once the machine is full of water. If the inlet valve happens to malfunction for some reason, it will either cause the machine to overfill or simply shut down the supply.

You will be able to observe this during the wash and rinse cycle. A malfunctioning water inlet valve is going to let the water inside the machine even if the designated cycle is not taking place.

To make sure that the inlet valve is working fine, you will need to access and inspect it. If you want to do it on your own, consult the user manual. At the same time, you will need to have the right tools and experience to get things done. If that is not the case, it will be better to consult an expert who will manage the task a lot better.

Defective Water Level Sensor

Modern washing machines are loaded with advanced features. Back in the day, washing machines were relatively simple and mostly required manual attention and effort to keep an eye on the water level and all that. But, today, machines come with what they call a water level sensor.

As the term suggests, a water level sensor also known as the pressure switch tends to monitor the water level inside the washing machine. Once the machine reaches its specific water level, the pressure switch will signal the washing machine to shut off the water supply.

But, if the pressure switch happens to be faulty for some reason, the machine will overfill with water. Then again, you will need to check the water level switch to ensure it is working fine. Unfortunately, water level sensors cannot be repaired. If you need to replace the water level switch, you will need to contact the manufacturer or buy an exact replacement from your local hardware store.

Clogged Or Defective Drain Pump

The drain pump is a simple component inside the washing machine that is responsible for draining the dirty water. If the drain pump happens to malfunction, the washing machine will start draining water spontaneously. As a result, the washing machine is not going to have a sufficient amount of water inside for the wash and rinse cycles.

If the washing machine is new, you will need to check its placement or positioning especially if the machine was recently serviced. Sometimes, the technician does not install or place the component properly, which causes the drain pump to malfunction.

On the other hand, if the machine is new and the drain pump malfunctions, you will need to contact the manufacturer to claim the warranty. And, if the machine itself is old, you will simply need to replace the drain pump. Getting it repaired will hardly fix any issue but only cost you time and money.

This issue is common in dishwashers as well. If your dishwasher is draining water even when not required or doesn’t drain water when needed, you should check the drain pump or consult a dishwasher repair Fairfax professional.

Electrical Control Board Malfunctions

The electrical control board is the brain of the washing machine. It’s also used in other appliances like refrigerators and freezers. This component single-handedly controls the entire functioning of the machine. Electrical control boards are installed deep inside the machines to keep them protected from external factors.

Plus, this component is both rigid and strong enough to be able to stand the test of time. In most cases, control boards tend to burn due to power fluctuation. You might come across some experts who are willing to fix the control board but there is no guarantee it is going to work fine.

The best-case scenario is to contact the manufacturer and find the exact replacement. Electric control boards can be expensive and you should not go for used ones unless there is a need for them.

Wiring Or Sensor Issues

Wiring or sensor problems can be a potential reason your washing machine is both refilling and draining at the same time. The reason is loose connections, faulty sensors, or damaged wires that could send incorrect signals. For this, you will need to thoroughly inspect each wire and sensor.

This could be a tricky situation to face as wiring and sensor issues can be extremely minor to detect. If you need to get the issue fixed immediately, you will need to consult an expert who will get the machine back to running normally in no time.

How To Prevent Washing Machine Issues?

Preventing washing machine issues is not that difficult. Most homeowners do not realize that washing machines just like other household electrical appliances need proper maintenance. With time, dirt, dust, and other factors tend to accumulate inside the washing machine leading to issues taking place.

This is why you need to invest in professional maintenance and ensure it is regularly inspected, especially if the washing machine is used daily. On regular days, you can check the filter and perform minor inspections to ensure everything is working fine.

Professional maintenance is very thorough with the inspection and maintenance. Most people think it is a waste of money but it can do wonders when it comes to keeping the washing machine running without any complications.

How To Find The Right Expert?

Finding the right expert can be a slightly confusing situation as there are many options out there. You might come across someone willing to offer their services at cheap rates. As tempting as it might seem, you should not give in to such offers. Make sure you opt for someone who has the skills and the experience and carries insurance.

The reason is that some states have strict regulations regarding maintenance and only qualified technicians are allowed to work on such tasks. So, it will be better if you ask your friends and family members for referrals or gather multiple options and personally interview them before making the final decision.

Conclusion

Diagnosing and fixing a washing machine that fills up and drains at the same time is somewhat easy. The information mentioned above covers all the potential reasons and what you can do to fix them. If the issue is difficult to fix, call in a washer repair Northern VA expert. Plus, perform regular inspections to ensure that you avoid all such problems in the future.