Know when to call the technician or head out for a new machine

From decades-old washing machines to recent dishwashers, the big kitchen appliances can pose issues when they break down, writes Kya deLongchamps.

The trusted adage is, if it costs half the price of replacing a larger appliance than to fix it, then replace. Is the 50% rule relevant to most of us when a service technician shakes their head?

What if, even having moved out of its warranty period, you’re just attached to this machine? It appears more intelligent to consider the age of the machine with a major failure.

Think about it the same way as you would nursing a gas-guzzling old car — there’s an increased likelihood it may stall repeatedly due to honest wear and tear on other distressed pumps, motors, and elements.

What are you are missing out on in the new performance feature and efficiencies by protecting an older jalopy?

There’s a set path to getting your machine fixed or replaced even when its inherently faulty rather than broken, Going outside the terms can really muck up your policy.

Modern appliances cannot be actually proven to be designed to break, but with spot-welded, unreachable parts, and sealed assemblies, they are tougher to tinker out of trouble.

Only use designated engineers when in warranty. Outside the warranty, an independent engineer (many of whom also handle warranted machines) can generally put most minor problems right and talk you through economic viability for the cost of a callout.

Maurice Kiely is an independent appliance repair specialist with 25 years behind him in sudsy sob stories. “If you can’t solve the problem by going through the owner’s manual,” he explains, “it’s better to check with a service engineer.

Yes, sometimes you can sort it from information online but I’ve seen a lot of damage done by people who have watched a video wherever and got false inspiration.

A good way to judge is, if you need tools to attempt a repair you’re probably better stepping back. Most service engineers won’t touch a machine that’s been tampered with

“Repair or replace? I can’t give an absolutely definitive answer but I like to think I’m pretty close generally. Appliances do simply wear out — washer drum bearings can go due to long spinning and high spinning wearing out the drum. Mechanical quality will out.

“The oldest machine I serviced was a Siemens dishwasher at 27 years old,” says Kiely. “The fault was a small wiring problem on the door.”

Let’s not forget just how expensive early washers/dryers/dishwashers were —30-year promises seemed only fair.

Given the fragile ingredients of most modern, even top-flight washing machines with digital components chatting to mechanical parts, if it’s not a quick fix directly from the paper instructions or online PDF, call in an engineer. Washing machines with digital readouts can offer a clue to what is wrong with an error code, but start mucking around and you could inadvertently void any existing warranty.

While word on the street is six to eight years for a utilitarian budget washer, Miele tests its machines for a lifespan of 20 years. Consider investing in a heavy, quality workhorse, but don’t buy more bounding technology than you actually need — fewer things to go wrong.

Washers, dryers, and dishwashers will signal there’s something up by simply not running, draining, making noise, or providing imperfect results, but the fridge (always on for 8,760 hours a year) can be a discreet energy sucker. Your appliance should achieve the ideal of -18C for the freezer and 4C for the fridge.

A fridge made before the Energy Star rating of 1997 should go — it’s taking approximately three times the power to run as a modern EU energy rated model. Moving up from a throbbing 10-year-old fridge to an A+++ you’re all but guaranteed a 25% drop in running costs.

If you do find an A-rated fridge, it’s a pre-2012 warehoused older model. Some of us will simply be prompted to buy up for a matching washer/dryer set.

Leaks on the floor or around cabinetry (look for warps in the MDF) cracks in the drain, rusting, cold dishes, or a door that won’t close properly — these are generally terminal issues for a dishwasher, especially in the nine-year age range.

Aside from serious issues (sprayer arms dead, heater failing) dishwashers with sensors can be fooled by dishes that are simply too clean — try another cycle, change detergent, and top up the rinse aid before calling in the spanner man. If the removable filter section is damaged, this may be easily ordered as a part online.

Replacing? Enjoy not only energy savings at A++ but lower water usage and a considerable drop in decibels.

The Role of Regular Maintenance. When a domestic machine goes, it’s easy to point the finger at manufacturer and cry ‘designed in obsolescence’. However, Maurice Kiely stoically deals with plain old user-error of honest, perfectly tailored machines on a regular basis.

His advice is to get to know your appliances thoroughly from the minute you plumb it in, and to follow the directions to the letter. Simply keeping the machine clean and clear of rogue riders during a run is half the battle.

Fridge, Fridge/Freezer. Nobody seems to defrost the fridge or freezer these days, says Kiely. “Defrosting gives a fridge a chance to get rid of unwanted ice build-up.

On top of that, it allows it to cool effectively and quickly, making the fridge more efficient. Householders think that a fridge is frost free in every situation — they are not.”

Don’t forget the note test: If the door of your fridge or upright freezer cannot hold a currency note at four different spots when shut, the seals need replacing.

You could try warming it slightly and reforming it with a hair dryer to catch again. Clean and vacuum the coils regularly to let them breathe.

As for the washing machine: “People accidentally put damaging stowaways in a washing machine — bungee clips for kid’s hair, clips, and coins are the usual suspects. Check all pockets and shake clothes out as you load. Washes at 30C may save the environment but to clean the machine thoroughly, run regular boil washes and check the filter for coins, etc.”

Persil advises not to use descaling products in your washing machine before checking the paperwork. It may invalidate your warranty.

Try a cup of white vinegar on a sanitising cycle and wipe out seals with hot soapy water. Open door when the machine stops (and is still hot) and let it air dry.

Regarding dishwashers, Maurice advises: “Check that the spray arms are operating free of debris. Clean out and rinse the filter at the base of the machine.”

Salt is present in most all-in-one tablets, but rinse aid has to be topped up. Instead of a commercial bottle of cleaner, run the machine with a small (100g) dish of baking soda on the top rack and a mug of white vinegar in the bottom. Sparkling results.

Tumble dryers: Clean all lint filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions (emptying after ever run offers ultimate safety and efficiency).

Ensure the vent hose is clear and without any bends that could cause it to overheat. In condenser dryers empty the collector (if the water is not pumped off) keep the condenser box clean.

With thanks to Maurice Kiely, Dungarvan, mauricekielyappliancerepair.com

Recall and replace

It is vital that every household in the country check that their tumble dryer is not on a recall list for an important modification to prevent the lint collector connecting with the motor. Some 750 fires across Britain and Ireland have been linked to certain machine models produced between April 2004 and October 2015.

There is a range of over 100 machines under the Whirlpool brand involved, including Creda, Hotpoint, Indesit, Proline, and Swan.

I speak from painful experience. My own parents’ home was razed to the ground in 2016 by a fire suspected, by their home insurer, to have originated with a faulty machine found to be on this list.

They received no warning about the recall, as they had not, according to the forensic investigator I spoke to, ‘registered their warranty’.

Checking the recall list, I found my own machine was also on recall. Having walked through the charred remains of my family’s whole life, we took the potential firestarter straight to a WEE amnesty collection.

You can find details of most of the model numbers at safety.hotpoint.eu and safety.indesit. eu. If you find your machine is there, unplug it right now. Whirlpool is carrying out a nationwide repair scheme (free but with a waiting list).

It’s up to you if you accept a repair to your existing machine as sufficient peace of mind. I would suggest pushing for an appropriate replacement (which today will offer greater efficiency as standard).

Check out your warranty

Built to last? Most budget appliances are designed to impress on the showroom floor, meet the efficiencies dictated by Brussels, and move units.

As machines have evolved, in lighter materials, their engineering and electronics have become highly complex (I’m thinking of washers here – statistically the most likely machine to act up).

A one-year warranty is little protection – and most large high-street retailers will encourage you to take inhouse extended protection for at least three years on call out, parts, transportation costs, labour and VAT.

These are pricey, as much as a third of the ticket on a larger appliance, and according to a 2011 Which Consumer Report, you have a 4% chance of redeeming that price in a repair.

Other warranties such as Siemens and Whirlpool will divvy up the terms as 10 in parts and two in labour. The repertoire of parts required to fix an appliance blistering in fuzzy logic has expanded exponentially, demanding orders and software downloads from the technician.

This can delay a relatively small fix, adding to the frustration and coax to just jump past the repair to a replacement, even within the warranty period.

If you’re determined on guaranteed lifespan, pick up a Miele, washing machine on zero interest credit, enjoy a standard all in 10-year parts and labour warranty and look after it. Your statutory rights offer a great deal of protection outside warranty.

If you buy an appliance and a fault materialises within six months the fault is presumed to have existed when it left the store and you are not legally obliged to provide proof of the defect