Our washing machines are probably one of the most convenient and helpful inventions built for our homes.
As we have already mentioned in our detailed blog post on washing machine repairs, fixing a broken washing machine could be extremely tedious.
But, the silver lining is that sometimes, washing machine issues can be easily solved by a DIY enthusiast.
One of those common issues is the washing machine filter cap becoming stuck or even breaking.
So… why does it happen and how can you fix it?
We will explore just that in this post.
Why is my washing machine filter cap stuck?
Most households use their washing machine multiple times a week, every week. Frequent use brings wear and tear. This wear and tear will tamper with the quality and durability of your filter cap over time.
Along with that, your washing machine filters hundreds of liters of water every year.
This water is typically at a high temperature at the point of exiting the appliance and also brings tons of waste along for the ride.
It is natural for things like hair clips or coins to be forgotten in pockets, eventually ending up in the filter.
As the filter picks up more of the water waste or other small items, it compromises the durability of the filter cap – and it can become stuck.
In addition to this, your washing machine filter can become stuck due to hard-water residue.
How can I prevent my filter cap from becoming stuck?
To prevent your washing machine filter cap from becoming stuck, we recommend that you clean your washing machine filter at least once every 2 months.
By cleaning your filter every once in a while, you can prevent it from getting stuck because of high amounts of debris or water residue.
Not sure how to clean your filter?
Here is a quick step-by-step guide.
Step-By-Step Guide On Cleaning Your Washing Machine Filter
⚠️ Before carrying out any work on an electrical appliance, ensure that it is switched off from the mains.
Step 1: Locate the filter. To locate the washing machine filter, you can refer to your user manual. Typically, it is located at the bottom right corner of your washing machine.
Step 2: Position towels under the filter. When you unscrew the filter cap, you will often have some water coming out of the component. You should use towels to tidy up the water. Alternatively, you can also use a bucket.
Step 3: Remove and clean the filter. Now that you have allowed the water to exit the machine from the filter, you should gently remove the filter from its housing. Inspect it for visible debris and clean it as required. To help with stubborn residue, it may be useful to use an old toothbrush. You can also rinse the filter itself a few times under running water.
Step 4: Reassemble the filter and cover. After cleaning and rinsing the filter, you can now re-attach it back to its original position.
Step 5: Check for leaks. Once you have re-attached the filter, we recommend running a quick program to check for leaks.
What do I do if my filter cap is stuck?
If you have forgotten your routine checks more than a few times this year and your filter cap is now stuck – we don’t recommend attempting to open it with force, as the part is typically plastic, and will quite possibly break.
Here are a few tips on how to open the filter cap yourself, without professional assistance.
- If you can unscrew the filter cap and pull it out partially, you can use something long (such as a toothpick) which may be helpful to nudge the blockage away so that you can pull out the filter fully and clean it.
- If you can unscrew the filter cap however, it is not able to be pulled out at all, this indicates a major blockage which will need to be cleared by accessing the appliance from the back.
- On the other hand, if you cannot unscrew the filter cap at all, this also indicates a major blockage which will need to be cleared by once again accessing the appliance from the back.
- Lastly, your washing machine filter cap may be stuck due to hard water residue which may mean the component has to be replaced, depending on the severity of the residue.
Even though these recommendations are doable without contacting an appliance repair service, we still recommend checking in with a professional in case you aren’t able to do it on your own.
You don’t want to accidentally break some parts of the appliance causing a more expensive repair.
How much does a replacement filter cap cost?
To replace your washing machine filter cap, it’s typically between £10 and £20 for the filter cap alone.
Unfortunately, some manufacturers do not sell the filter cap by itself, which will require you to replace the whole pump. This usually costs between £20 and £50.
In terms of installation costs, it would typically fall between £40 and £60 altogether, unless you do it yourself.
Conclusion
When your washing machine filter cannot be cleaned because of problems with the filter cap, it will cause drainage problems.
That’s enough to ruin your day as it is…
In this post, we have covered why the filter cap can get stuck, how to prevent it from happening, and what to do when the problem has already occurred.
However, if you aren’t able to solve the problem on your own, it’s always recommended to book a professional for a quick appliance repair.
You can always contact us here at Georgi’s Services if you need professional technicians to help you out.