Washer and Dryer Repair Service: Symptoms, Causes and What It Costs
Washers and dryers fail more often than any other appliance in a Greater Vancouver home — they run wet, hot and hard, several times a week. Most breakdowns come down to a short list of parts: a drain pump, a door switch, a thermal fuse, a belt or a control board. Use the symptom table below to work out what is likely wrong before you book, and you will know exactly what to expect when our technician arrives.
Symptom, cause, and the fix
Washer fills but will not drain
Likely cause: Blocked drain pump filter, kinked drain hose, or a failed drain pump.
What we do: Clear the pump filter first. If the pump hums without moving water, the pump is replaced — usually a same-visit repair.
Washer will not spin or clothes stay soaked
Likely cause: Door lock switch, worn drive belt, or an unbalanced suspension.
What we do: Redistribute the load once. If it repeats, the lock switch or belt is tested and swapped on site.
Washer leaks under the machine
Likely cause: Split hose, cracked pump housing, or a worn tub seal.
What we do: Stop using the machine — water damage costs far more than the repair. We pressure-test to find the source.
Washer shakes and walks across the floor
Likely cause: Shipping bolts left in, uneven feet, or worn shock absorbers.
What we do: Levelling is free to check yourself; worn dampers are a straightforward parts replacement.
Dryer runs but will not heat
Likely cause: Blown thermal fuse, failed heating element, or a bad thermostat — nearly always caused by restricted venting.
What we do: We replace the failed part and clear the vent run, otherwise the fuse blows again within weeks.
Dryer takes two or three cycles to dry
Likely cause: Clogged lint path or crushed flexible venting behind the machine.
What we do: Clean the lint screen every load. A full vent clean restores drying time and cuts your hydro bill.
Dryer squeals or rumbles
Likely cause: Worn drum rollers, idler pulley, or a glazed belt.
What we do: Rollers and belts are inexpensive parts; ignoring the noise damages the drum bearing.
Dryer stops mid-cycle
Likely cause: Overheating from restricted airflow, or a failing motor thermal cut-out.
What we do: Airflow is measured first — replacing a motor that overheated because of a blocked vent solves nothing.
Error code on the display
Likely cause: Sensor, control board or communication fault, brand specific.
What we do: Give us the code when you book and the technician arrives with the likely part on the van.
Safe to try yourself
- Clean the lint screen before every dryer load and pull the vent hose off twice a year.
- Empty the washer's drain-pump filter (bottom front panel) every couple of months.
- Leave the washer door ajar between loads to stop odour and mould in the door seal.
- Never overload — most 'broken' spin cycles are simply an unbalanced drum.
Stop and call a technician
- Burning smell, scorch marks, or a breaker that trips when the dryer runs.
- Water on the floor from anywhere other than the door seal.
- Grinding or metal-on-metal noise from the drum.
- Any repair on a sealed system, control board, or gas dryer connection.
People also ask
Serving Greater Vancouver, BC during our posted hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 – 17:00 · Sat 8:00 – 16:00 · Closed Sunday. Every repair carries a 3-month warranty on parts and labour.