Every brand new White Good’s appliance that you purchase will come with a manufacturer’s warranty period, usually two years, sometimes longer. Within this period, any fault your machine presents due to the manufacturer will be repaired completely free of charge to you. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances in which you might end up having to pay for the repair yourself due to some very common incidents that we can help you prevent. Here are the TOP TEN mistakes that could void your warranty:
1) Incorrect installation of your product.
Quite often machines become in-serviceable if they have not been installed in line with the user manual. If the technicians are unable to easily access all of the components of your machine in order to diagnose and repair it, it is classed as in-serviceable. The most common instances of this are either gluing or using silicone to secure machines into place. Unfortunately, if we arrive to your job and cannot easily and safely remove your machine to repair it, your warranty may be void. So be sure to follow the guides to correctly install your machine (or provide the manual to whoever might be installing it for you) to make sure it is left serviceable and easy to access all components. Another common installation fault is not following the manufacturers requirements in regards to ventilation and air flow. This is particularly common for ovens and cook-tops (especially induction). If a cabinet maker is designing your kitchen around your appliances, make sure they are aware of any ventilation specifications that your appliances require. When installing dishwashers, also be aware that most modern models only have a cold water inlet hose and so therefore, can only be attached to cold water. Attaching these machines to hot water can cause some components to melt. Domestic dishwashers are designed to heat their own water.
2) Your machine has rodent or vermin damage.
This is one that comes as a surprise to a lot of people, and we understand why! However, some brands are very strict on rodent and vermin damage and even have clauses in their user manuals that state that you must have a receipt from the last 12 months to prove that your home has had professional pest control performed in order to repair your machine under warranty if rodent or vermin damage is the cause of the fault. Some companies even require us to send them back the faulty components to inspect them for rodent or vermin damage, so it is always best to read your manuals to see if you are required to have pest control for warranty purposes.
3) Repairs to the machine performed by an unauthorised person.
Please remember that it is NEVER safe for you to fix electrical components yourself, even if your machine is no longer under warranty. This can be a lot more dangerous than most people realise. However, there are certain parts that are safe for you to replace on your own once your machine is no longer in warranty, such as door handles, detergent dispensers, etc. While your machine is still under warranty, any modifications or repairs performed by someone who is not a certified technician may end up voiding your warranty. It’s always best to check if you are unsure.
4) Not performing regular maintenance on your machine.
This includes cleaning the filters in your dryer, dishwasher and washing machines, as well as anything else that might be mentioned in your user manual. It’s also important to remember to remove any loose items from your clothing before washing and to rinse any heavy food scraps from your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher as finding loose objects caught in drain pump’s can also void your warranty. If you are finding your machine is having trouble draining, always check the filters for blockages first.
5) Using incorrect products in your machine.
Some user manuals will actually state specific brands that should be used in their machines. Finish is recommended by most dishwasher companies as it has never presented issues in machines. It is also important to use products that are only intended for your specific machine; harsh chemicals, dish washing liquid used in dishwashers, and top load detergent used in front load machines can also present issues when claiming under warranty. Also keep in mind that most washing machine manufacturers advise not to use fabric softener as it will cause residue in your machine and on your clothing. A great, safe alternative is white vinegar.
6) Using the machine for something that it is not intended for.
This can include washing sharp or heavy objects such as shoes or household items in your washing machine, cooking non-food items in your oven or on your stove that might spill over and damage the machine’s components, etc.
7) Damage caused by customer misuse.
Common examples of this are dishwasher doors becoming unaligned due to someone falling, sitting, or standing on the door when it’s opened, often times little ones will be the offenders in this case (I think most parent’s can relate to this!). Often scratches, cracks, dents, etc, that aren’t reported within the first few days of having the product won’t be covered under warranty. Basically, damage caused to the machine directly from the customer won’t be covered in warranty.
8) Overloading your machine.
Make sure you check your machines load limit for each type of cycle that your machine can perform. Often, a quick wash will only be able to handle half the usual load limit in order to properly wash your clothes. Your dryer will usually have a lower load limit than your washing machine, so also be aware of that before putting a full load of wet clothes into it. Sometimes, if a machine has been overloaded, it might present faults which can easily be sorted by doing smaller loads or using a different setting.
9) Using too much detergent in your machine.
Be particularly careful with your front load washing machines as they are very sensitive to too much detergent. Front loads will generally only require half a scoop of powder to do a regular load of washing. The box of laundry powder might state different measurement to the user manual of your machine, so always go with what is recommended for your particular machine. Oversudsing will cause a wide variety of faults in your machine including leaks, build up of residue both on your machine and on your clothes, as well as creating draining problems.
10) Your machine doesn’t have a fault.
Sometimes, there is a very simple reason that your machine might seem to be presenting a fault. Commonly, it might be set on the wrong setting or have a delay set up by accident, or there may be a kink in a hose that could be preventing inlet or draining of water, there also might be something caught up in a filter or pump. It’s always good to give a thorough check over of your machine and the settings before getting us out as unfortunately, we are not able to cover these types of things under warranty.