The Home Improvement Thread

[surferguy]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Anyone run into a Samsung washing machine that can't run a spin cycle? It runs though the wash and rinse cycles just fine, drum turns without issue and with no weird noises. But when it starts the spin cycle it just sits there making a droning sound for 15-20 minutes before it gives up and shuts down. Hoping there's some sort of easy fix since it doesn't appear to be a mechanical issue

Droning noise - maybe your water pump is gone?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Anyone run into a Samsung washing machine that can't run a spin cycle? It runs though the wash and rinse cycles just fine, drum turns without issue and with no weird noises. But when it starts the spin cycle it just sits there making a droning sound for 15-20 minutes before it gives up and shuts down. Hoping there's some sort of easy fix since it doesn't appear to be a mechanical issue

Does the water drain out of the washer or is it still full with water?

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Anyone run into a Samsung washing machine that can't run a spin cycle? It runs though the wash and rinse cycles just fine, drum turns without issue and with no weird noises. But when it starts the spin cycle it just sits there making a droning sound for 15-20 minutes before it gives up and shuts down. Hoping there's some sort of easy fix since it doesn't appear to be a mechanical issue

The droning sound makes me think it’s either too much weight in it like mentioned previously and the motor doesn’t have the required torque to generate speed. You could prove this by trying to run a spin cycle with an empty washing machine.

The droning sound can also be caused by an open in the motor wiring circuit, an internal failure of the motor, or potentially seized bearings. I’m pretty handy and I’ve completely gutted my Samsung dryer before to replace some parts, I don’t figure the washing machine would be much more difficult. It did take me a couple hours to disassemble and reassemble.

[Fuzz]

Is it a top loader? I think mine did that, and it was the transmission. $450 or something for the part, so I junked it.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Anyone run into a Samsung washing machine that can't run a spin cycle? It runs though the wash and rinse cycles just fine, drum turns without issue and with no weird noises. But when it starts the spin cycle it just sits there making a droning sound for 15-20 minutes before it gives up and shuts down. Hoping there's some sort of easy fix since it doesn't appear to be a mechanical issue

Have you tried removing the filter to make sure it's not clogged?

[topfiverecords]

Have you tried turning it off and back on again?

[topfiverecords]

Have you tried kicking it?

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

Have you tried removing the filter to make sure it's not clogged?

This was it. I sat and watched the thing for a whole rinse/spin cycle and finally caught an error code on the display, which said that it wasn't draining properly. I didn't even know the filter was a thing on washing machines, always had top loaders before we bought this house and they didn't have filters. Now I know I guess, just wish taking it out didn't mean dumping a ton of water all over the floor. That was a fun surprise

[photon]

Make sure and check the filter again soon too. I cleaned mine out after finding out that they exist and was still having issues and had to clean it a 2nd time shortly after I guess it was starting to build up up the line or whatever.

[Shazam]

Connect a LifeStraw to the line and suck.

[Barnes]

There's a pressure switch that tells the machine how full the machine is as well. A rubber tube from the bottom of the machine runs up the back to a pressure switch that's usually mounted to the frame near the top.

When there's an issue with the switch you'll usually get an error code but sometimes on mine it just doesnt spin and I get a generic code. I unplug the machine, take off the top, unplug the rubber hose and blow into it to clear it out. It's a small hose so if anything gets into it, the pressure sensor wouldnt be able to get a reading. I have to do this a few times a year and normally clean the filter when it's all apart.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by photon

Make sure and check the filter again soon too. I cleaned mine out after finding out that they exist and was still having issues and had to clean it a 2nd time shortly after I guess it was starting to build up up the line or whatever.

Do a few lighter loads more frequently using white vinegar poured in (not bleach) and hot water. It should help a little with dealing with leftover fabric softener, excess detergent (you'll see it bubble slightly even with no detergent) or caked on lint/algae. It won't address stuff like gravel, stickers, hair etc. that doesn't dissolve or can get stuck in weird ways. I usually do this for things I don't fear will shrink like towels and whatnot.

I'll also do extra rinse and full modes (not express mode only) so that there is hopefully less accumulation over time. It seems to be working so far.

Putting my lips on the drainage hose seems so gross. I'd rather use a couple of shots from compressed air to give insight whether there might be a clog in the line that got past the rubber seal (check and clean the rubber seal for the drum if you haven't already).

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Do a few lighter loads more frequently using white vinegar poured in (not bleach) and hot water. It should help a little with dealing with leftover fabric softener, excess detergent (you'll see it bubble slightly even with no detergent) or caked on lint/algae. It won't address stuff like gravel, stickers, hair etc. that doesn't dissolve or can get stuck in weird ways. I usually do this for things I don't fear will shrink like towels and whatnot.

I'll also do extra rinse and full modes (not express mode only) so that there is hopefully less accumulation over time. It seems to be working so far.

Putting my lips on the drainage hose seems so gross. I'd rather use a couple of shots from compressed air to give insight whether there might be a clog in the line that got past the rubber seal (check and clean the rubber seal for the drum if you haven't already).

Just skip the fabric softener and swap it with vinegar permanently. I've been doing that for years now, clothes come out soft, smell good, and never get any buildup. Helluva lot cheaper too

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Just skip the fabric softener and swap it with vinegar permanently. I've been doing that for years now, clothes come out soft, smell good, and never get any buildup. Helluva lot cheaper too

Well, that too. But if you've used it before, then yeah, you'll need to find a way to try and flush it out (Most effective I find is mainly heat). Especially since modern washers and detergent typically try and recommend cold water to avoid clothing shrinking and energy savings. Both fabric softener and detergent can get kinda waxy.

[Izzle]

Noticed that my water heater is leaking. It's probably getting to end of life. It came with the house when built so 2011. That's 13 years for the water heater.

Got a technician to come in and check. He said that there was a pinhole leak "somewhere" and likely age related. He mentioned no real easy fix, but that I should consider replacing the heater since it's end of life.

My question, can we not plug the leak with epoxy or something?

Or am I SOL, and should consider getting the water heater replaced?

[photon]

I'd call it lucky it didn't burst and flood the place and replace it thankful of the early warning.

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by photon

I'd call it lucky it didn't burst and flood the place and replace it thankful of the early warning.

Thanks Photon. I'll replace it.

Any opinions on tankless water heaters? Is the increased cost justified?

[indes]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Thanks Photon. I'll replace it.

Any opinions on tankless water heaters? Is the increased cost justified?

Absolutely love mine for the endless hot water with 5 people in the house.

Maintenance is a drawback (yearly descale about 200$ if you don't do it by yourself).

[Fuzz]

The descale is really easy to DIY though, you can buy a kit for under $200. Takes under an hour and most of that is you drinking a beer "supervising".


I'd just say make sure the one you get can handle the required temperature rise at the volume you need. Water inlet temp is colder in winter, but the ratings on the things are typically for best circumstances. And one with a built in storage tank to cover the first demand call, or a full house circulation, but that could be tough depending on access.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

This was it. I sat and watched the thing for a whole rinse/spin cycle and finally caught an error code on the display, which said that it wasn't draining properly. I didn't even know the filter was a thing on washing machines, always had top loaders before we bought this house and they didn't have filters. Now I know I guess, just wish taking it out didn't mean dumping a ton of water all over the floor. That was a fun surprise

My filter had $3 in change stuck in it.