Our services
Washer Dryer Repair in Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
Washer dryer repair deals with machines that combine two jobs and can fail at either: clothes that come out damp, a drum that will not heat, water not draining or the washing side refusing to start. We diagnose the fault in your home, explain it clearly and agree the price before any work.
01How it works
Washer Dryer Repair, explained
How it works
Your washer dryer, properly understood
A washer dryer combines a standard washing machine mechanism with a condensing tumble dryer system in a single cabinet. During a wash cycle, water enters through solenoid valves, mixes with detergent, and is agitated by a motor-driven drum. When the drying cycle begins, a heating element warms the air, which a fan circulates through the wet clothes. The moisture-laden air then passes over a condenser chamber cooled by a trickle of cold mains water, causing the moisture to condense and drain away through the pump. Packing two distinct functions into one machine means there are more components that can develop faults. The heating elements, both for water and air, endure significant thermal stress and can fail. The condenser chamber is prone to accumulating lint from the drying process, which mixes with detergent residue to form blockages. If the fan motor seizes or a thermal fuse trips, the drying function stops working entirely. On the washing side, pumps degrade, motor brushes wear down, and door seals can split or leak. Diagnosing a washer dryer requires checking both the washing and drying systems, as a fault in one can affect the other. An engineer will test the continuity of the heating elements and thermostats using a multimeter. The condenser chamber and fan assembly are inspected for lint build-up. The drain pump is checked for blockages or electrical failure, as standing water prevents the machine from entering a spin or dry cycle. We diagnose the fault in your home and explain the issue clearly.
02Know the signs
When it is time to call us
01
The drying cycle runs but the glass door remains completely cold.
02
Water pools inside the drum after the final spin cycle finishes.
03
The machine makes a loud grinding noise when the drum rotates.
04
Clothes come out covered in lint or smell musty after drying.
05
The door refuses to open once the wash and dry programme ends.
06
A visible puddle forms underneath the machine during the wash cycle.
03Common faults
What usually lies behind it
01
Clothes remain damp after a drying cycle
A failure in the drying heater element or a tripped thermal fuse will stop the machine from producing heat. Alternatively, a blocked condenser chamber prevents moist air from circulating properly, leaving clothes wet even if the heating element is working. The fan motor may also have failed.
02
The machine refuses to drain water away
Washer dryers rely on the drain pump for both washing and condensing cycles. If a coin, hair grip or lint blocks the pump filter, water cannot escape. The pump motor itself can also fail electrically, meaning the machine will halt mid-cycle and refuse to spin or dry.
03
Drum fails to turn during the wash
The drum needs to rotate for both washing and drying. If the carbon brushes on the main drive motor wear down, the motor loses power. A snapped drive belt or a faulty motor control module will also prevent the drum from turning, leaving clothes unwashed and wet.
04
Water leaking from the front door seal
The rubber door seal endures friction from clothes and exposure to hot water. Over time, the rubber degrades and splits, allowing water to escape down the front of the cabinet. Sharp objects left in pockets can also puncture the seal during a fast spin cycle.
05
Machine stops and displays an error code
Modern washer dryers use sensors to monitor water levels, temperature and motor speed. If a sensor detects an anomaly, such as water failing to heat or the door failing to lock, the control board halts the cycle and displays a specific error code on the screen.
04Questions
Washer Dryers: your questions
Not answered here? Tell us the make, the model and what the appliance is doing.
Call 01752 922765Common causes include a heating fault, a sensor fault or a blocked condenser. We test the drying circuit to find which it is before recommending a repair.
Washer dryers use a condenser system that relies on cold mains water to cool the chamber and extract moisture. This process is inherently slower than a standalone vented tumble dryer. If the drying time suddenly increases, the condenser chamber or fan may be blocked with lint.
Yes. During the drying phase, the machine uses cold water to condense moisture from the hot air. This water must be pumped away continuously. If the drain pump is blocked or faulty, water builds up inside the drum, and the machine will abort the drying cycle.
A combination of low-temperature washes, liquid detergent and lint from the drying cycle creates a sludge inside the drum and door seal. This build-up harbours bacteria, causing a damp smell. Running a hot maintenance wash and cleaning the pump filter helps clear this residue.
Violent vibration is usually caused by an unbalanced load, such as a single heavy towel. If the machine vibrates heavily with a balanced load, the internal shock absorbers or suspension springs may have worn out. Worn drum bearings will also cause excessive noise and movement.
05Where we work
Washer Dryers in your town
Choose your town for washer dryer repair there, nearest to Plymouth first.
Devon