quick fixes

Dishwasher Gives Shock – What to do?

Dishwasher Gives Shock – What to do?


If your dishwasher has started giving the person who touches it a shock, it is time to call in a skilled technician to do some maintenance checks immediately.  If you notice that your appliance is sending out any form of electric shock, no matter how mild, immediately switch off the power socket and remove the plug from the socket. It is best to also wear rubber-soled shoes when removing the plug.

Here is what could be causing the kitchen dishwasher to pass an electric shock when in use:

  1. An internal live wire may be touching the appliance chassis. Another electrical appliance with a loose wire, placed near the dishwasher, may also cause the problem.
  2. The switch used to power the dishwasher may have a loose connection or the earth wire around the socket may be broken. Have a technician use a socket-tester to rule out the problem.
  3. It is possible that the insulation around the heating element has deteriorated. Have a technician check the heating element in the dishwasher.
  4. If your dishwasher is giving an electric shock, it may mean that the safety device called the ‘trip switch’ is not working. Since electrical kitchen appliances operate in a wet area, they come with a built-in safety device to automatically cut-off power in the event that a fault leads to a shock. Unfortunately, even very well made electric appliances can malfunction.

Here is what could be causing the kitchen dishwasher to pass electric shock when NOT in use:

  1. If the dishwasher is off and you still get a voltage when you touch it, there could be an earthing fault with the electrical supply. In case of an earthing problem, even a malfunctioning appliance in your neighbour’s house can give you an electric shock. Consult an electrician immediately.
  2. Getting a shock from the dishwasher when it is off could also be due to a faulty capacitor or suppressor.  These parts hold charge for up to 5 minutes after the appliance is unplugged and can give you a nasty shock.

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance or harm to you or others.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Common Tumble Dryer Problems & Solutions

Common Tumble Dryer Problems & Solutions

Your tumble dryer is among the most essential of your daily-use appliances. If you are someone who uses their tumble dryer every day, here is the list of common tumble dryer failures you could face and tips for checks you can carry out:

    1. The tumble dryer does not heat: Whether you own an electric or a gas tumble dryer, the first checkpoint is the laundry load. Excessive clothing will prevent the dryer from heating effectively. Secondly, ensure that no one has opened the tumble dryer mid-way into the cycle. If all seems okay, attempt to re-set the appliance. Most tumble dryers have a red reset button located either at the back of the appliance or inside the appliance. Press the button until it makes a ‘click’ sound and then restart the tumble dryer. If the tumble dryer does not resume working properly, there could be some other reason; a faulty part for instance. Read our guide to ‘Reasons Why Your Tumble Dryer May Not be Heating’ for more information on how to handle this problem.
    2. The tumble dryer is not spinning: What good is a tumble dryer that does not tumble! The most likely cause for this is a drive belt that has snapped or is loose.  An unusual ‘running-but-stuck’ sound and a drum that turns easily without any resistance when turned by hand, indicates a drive belt problem. If the power lights on the tumble dryer are on, there could also be a problem with the appliance motor or the starting capacitor. Read our blog ‘4 Possible Reasons Why Your Tumble Dryer is Not Spinning’ for more information.
    3. The tumble dryer becomes very noisy: While trying to dry your clothes, you notice a loud screeching sound.  The common reasons for this sound could be faulty drum bearings, worn out motor bearings, or wear to the tension pulley wheels. Call your local repair person to replace these faulty parts.
    4. The tumble dryer does not start: If the tumbler dryer is not starting, do a quick check to answer these questions:
      • Is the power source working properly? Check the wiring and the plug.
      • Is the door of the tumble dryer closing completely? If not then there may be a problem with the door switch.
      • Is the timer switch faulty? Reset the timer and try again. If the problem persists, you will need to replace the part.

      Given the typical English weather, having the tumble dryer malfunction can really upset your daily routine, and worse still lead to a huge pile of laundry at home, making it essential to resolve this quickly.

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance.

Does your tumbler dryer smell mouldy?  Read our guide to ‘6 Easy Fixes For Mould-Free Tumble Dryers

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Help – Tumble Dryer Is Not Spinning

Help – Tumble Dryer Is Not Spinning

There are a few simple checks you can do if you notice that your tumble dryer has stopped spinning or is making unusual running sounds while running a regular load.

Many internal failures can prevent the tumble dryer from spinning.

The most common of these are:

  1. The drive belt has broken or has come-off

    The drive belt may wear out or become brittle over time. If the drive belt has snapped or has come off, the tumble dryer will make a running sound, but will not turn. One way to check this is to turn the drum by hand. A tumble dryer drum should be stiff when turned by hand. However, if the drive belt is loose or broken, the drum will appear freer than usual.

  2. The motor or capacitor has failed

    Your tumbler drier will not rotate if there is a problem in the motor or the capacitor. A broken motor will cause the tumble dryer to make a humming sound, instead of its normal operating noise. To confirm that the motor is the problem you need to call an appliance engineer.

  3. Idler pulley assembly problem

    The idler pulley system provides tension on the drum belt so that it does not slip on the drive motor pulley or drum when the dryer is in use. Signs of this problem include squeaking and squealing noises. Faults with the idler pulley assembly can also be responsible for the tumble dryer rotating at a slower than normal speed.

  4. Door switch malfunction

    The continuous opening and closing of the tumble dryer can damage the door switch. A defective door switch will also prevent the tumble dryer from rotating.  Call your appliance engineer with details of this problem.

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Help! There’s Mould in my Tumble Dryer

There’s Mould in my Tumble Dryer


Mould spores are nasty, and can go unnoticed for quite some time, especially if they’re hidden in hard to see spots like your tumble dryer. Mould can grow just about anywhere and thrives in places with even slight traces of moisture. Over time, the mould will cause your dryer to have an odour problem; it can also penetrate and even stain your newly-washed laundry.

Your tumble dryer could retain damp if you overload, or sometimes leave still-damp clothes in it; this creates the perfect conditions for mould to multiply.

You can minimise the chances of mould growing in your tumble dryer by using the hottest dryer settings that your laundry allows. It’s a good idea to dry clothes that require a low setting first and finish with items that can take higher settings, for example, towels and jeans, to ensure that your dryer ends on a dry note.

Types of Mould

There are five common types of mould that can be found in most households, but only one is likely to grow in your tumble dryer: Cladosporium Herbarum. It is most often found on dead plants and soil, fridges, window frames, straw houses with poor ventilation and low damp areas.

The best way to prevent mould from growing is to ensure your home is well ventilated in general, and that your laundry area is particularly well ventilated. Regularly check for damp spots, keep the area clean and make sure that your washer and tumble dryer are not pressed right up against the wall or against one another. If you have to dry clothes indoors in your laundry area, make sure that you have a good breeze blowing through so that the air doesn’t get damp. Also, make sure that all windows and doors to the laundry area are closed in wet weather and repair any leaks as soon as possible. Make sure your tumble dryer is vented outside when in use, or use a condenser-dryer.

Eek! There’s Mould in my Tumble Dryer!

With our busy schedules we often have to do about 10 things simultaneously, like boiling the kettle for a cup of tea, which will also be used supper’s rice, while shoving the laundry into the dryer. Under these conditions, who has the presence of mind to check for things like mould growth in the tumble dryer?

Get rid of mould

If you do have mould, these tips should help restore the laundry-fresh smell to your clothes and linens. First, unplug the tumble dryer, and then:

  1. Wipe clean the insides of the tumble dryer with antiseptic wipes.
  2. Dilute a fabric softener and dip a clean sponge in the solution to soak up the perfume. Squeeze out the liquid and put the wet sponge along with the clothes in the tumbler. This should remove the smell in the dryer.
  3. Put some bicarbonate in an old sock and knot the sock at the top. Put this in your condenser dryer for a ten-minute tumble. The smell should be completely gone.
  4. Add a fragrance sheet to your dryer for no more smelly clothes.This next tip needs a bit of patience.
  5. If are using a condenser dryer, let the clothes dry for 30 minutes. Then remove the clothes and shake them out in the air one by one. Put the clothes back in the dryer for another 30 minutes. Not only will this make the smell go away, but your clothes will dry faster.
  6. Make a thin paste of baking soda and soak a sponge in it. Clean the inside of the dryer with the sponge. After a thorough wipe with the sponge, clean the dryer with a soft cloth. Run a normal cycle in the dryer when it is empty for about 10 minutes.

If the mould proves to be stubborn you could try this way to get rid of the problem:

Bleach is a really good way to get rid of mould. You’ll need two clean cloths, a litre of warm water, ¼ cup of bleach, small spray bottle filled with a solution of water and ten or so drops of vanilla essence / eucalyptus oil or undiluted plain vinegar, and few clean towels. Be sure to use the hottest dryer setting and not the delicate cycle or the permanent press cycle when you do the last step of the process

  1. Add the bleach to the warm water.
  2. Wet your cloth completely in the water-bleach solution and then wring out so that it’s wet but not dripping.
  3. Wipe the dryer inside and out, making sure you do the door too. A thin layer of the solution will remain on the surfaces, which will kill all mould.
  4. Leave to dry completely and once dry take a clean cloth rinsed in clean water and wipe down the dryer again. Wiping the tumble dryer clean is important because if you leave the bleach solution as it, you may well find that your next load of laundry comes out the machine discoloured.
  5. Spray the clean towels with the vanilla-water or eucalyptus-water solution or vinegar and then put into the dryer. This will remove the smell of bleach from the drum. Note, if you use vinegar your next load might remind you of fish and chips. Vanilla and eucalyptus, on the other hand, will absorb the bleach smell and leave your tumble dryer smelling quite pleasant. Remember to wash the towels once you’re done.
  6. Make sure you clean the condenser dryer regularly too and leave the door ajar after use.

If the smell persists, call an appliance service professional.

You can help prevent mould in the future by regularly checking for and cleaning out lint as it collects and retains moisture. Just remove the lint screen and wipe it with a dry cloth to get rid of the residual lint. To make sure you get all the lint out, use your vacuum hose attachment which will loosen clogged or backed up damp lint. Make sure you’ve removed all the lint before replacing the screen. It’s a good idea to clean the lint screen after every drying cycle to make sure you don’t get lint build-up.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Reasons Why Your Tumble Dryer May Not be Heating

Reasons Why Your Tumble Dryer May Not be Heating


Having to deal with an out-of-order tumble dryer can be frustrating especially in the cold winter months. One of the most common problems that occurs is the tumble dryer not heating. Do not worry; depending on which tumble dryer you own, resolving this can be relatively easy and inexpensive.

Most tumble dryers come equipped with a small red reset button at the back of the appliance.

If the dryer still does not work, it means that there is some other fault. Depending on whether you own a gas or an electric tumble dryer, the reasons for the tumble dry not heating will vary.

Electric tumble dryer

If you have an electric tumble, your appliance engineer can check the following parts:

  • Power outlet: If there is no problem with the power outlet, then the problem lies with the appliance.
  • Heating element: Most likely, the heating element is defective. The heating element in the dryer comprises of coils. A break in the coils will prevent the appliance from generating enough heat for drying.
  • Dual breaker switch: To generate the 240 volts of electricity needed for the drying function, electric tumble dryers have a dual breaker switch. If the switch is faulty, then the appliance will not have enough power to produce the heat (even though the machine may be tumbling)
  • Thermal fuse: The thermal fuses could also be faulty.

Gas tumble dryer

A gas tumble dryer has a burner system comprising of an igniter, coils, and flame sensor. The heating problem in your gas tumble dryer may be due to the following which a Gas-safe register technician can resolve:

  • Bad coils:  If the tumble dryer produces heat at the beginning, but finishes cold, then most likely your appliance has bad coils.
  • Problem with igniter / flame sensor: If the tumble dryer is not heating up at all, then most likely the igniter or the flame sensor needs replacing.
  • Residue around the burner:  Sometimes there is a build up of slime around the burner, which blocks the gas flow and prevents the unit from igniting.

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance.

If you inspect your appliance yourself, remember to turn off and unplug the tumble dryer or turn off the gas first. Also, seek out reliable professional help to carry out the repairs. These parts are easily replaceable and your tumble dryer will be as good as new.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts for keeping your tumble dryer problem free:

  • Let the dryer run through its cool down phase
  • Do not open the door midway through a cycle to check if the clothes are dry
  • Ensure that the filters / burner are cleaned regularly
Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Help – Washer Dryer Keeps Tripping Electrics

Help – Washer Dryer Keeps Tripping Electrics


If your washer dryer keeps tripping the electrics, turn the power off immediately.  Not only could the tripping damage the washer dryer, but it could also disrupt the overall power supply at your home and become a fire hazard.

Here is a list of common causes for your washer dryer to malfunction and cause the electricity to trip:

  • Electrical plug / Power cable malfunction: If the plug is hot, there is probably a loose wire in the plug. Also, with the appliance unplugged and without touching the plug too much, look out for any cracks in the plastic of the plug itself, as the wires may be exposed to water and short circuit. A burnt out wire in the washer dryer could also cause the circuit to overheat and the electricity to trip. If you are using an extension cord, that could also cause the problem. Change the extension and see if the washer dryer works now. If the fault continues, call an electrician. If the electrician confirms that there is no fault with the wiring, it means there is something wrong with the machine and you need to call the appliance engineer.
  • Heating element of the washer dryer:  The sticky residue from detergents and clothes washed and dried in the machine can gather on the heating element, causing it to malfunction. Clean the filter thoroughly and give the machine a maintenance wash, before trying a complete wash dry cycle. It is also possible that either the element of the washer or the dryer has burnt out. You will need an experienced appliance engineer to handle this problem.
  • Overheating of the drum: If the condenser unit, located at the back of the drum, does not work properly, it can cause the drum to overheat and the thermostat to cut out.  Check for any fluff blockages in the fan chamber, but do not attempt to dismantle the machine at all yourself – wait for an appliance engineer to use the correct equipment.
  • Internal water leakage: A water leakage in one of the electricity compartments can also cause a short. This needs to be looked at by an appliance engineer.
  • Problem with the motor: If the electricity is tripping, there could be a problem with the washer dryer motor. Again, call your appliance engineer. 

Please remember:

Appliances should be serviced regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions – found in the product manual. If you have a problem with an appliance, call in a NICEIC or Gas-Safe registered appliance engineer to repair your appliance. Don’t forget that if your appliance is not working optimally, you should also have it serviced to prevent causing damage to the appliance.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles