CANTON, Mich. - August 31, 2006 - As kids head back to school, parents nationwide are bracing for a lot more laundry. Somehow, kids manage to attract enormous amounts of dirt from school playgrounds, making the washer a truly mission-critical appliance at this time of year. Chris Hall, president of RepairClinic.com®, and his team of appliance-repair experts are standing by with free DIY advice and tips for busy parents.

"There are some simple steps that appliance owners should take to prevent expensive washing machine problems," says Hall, whose company, RepairClinic.com, provides consumers with the information and parts they need to fix their appliances. "We always recommend that our customers check the water hoses behind their washers each year. They are easy to replace, but if they are worn they may burst, which can flood a home with thousands of gallons of water."

Common washing machine problems and some DIY fixes
1. If the washer seems to be out of balance, won't spin properly, or bangs and rocks excessively, it's probably not perfectly level. Adjusting the leveling feet or strengthening the floor under the washer will often fix this problem.
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2. If your washer drains water but doesn't spin, it could be a defective lid switch. The switch is located inside the washing machine main housing, near the lid frame. You might have to raise or open the top or possibly even remove the entire cabinet of the washing machine to get to the switch. Appliance cabinets and panels are easy to remove once you know where the hidden screws and clips are. RepairClinic.com can help guide you through this.

3. If your washer spins but won't drain, the pump might be faulty. One of the most typical pump problems is a blockage caused by small items left in clothes. These small items can jam or block the pump and prevent it from working efficiently. A replacement pump usually costs between $50 and $100. The RepairClinic PartDetective can help find the right pump for your washer.

How to prevent costly water leaks
1. Check the rubber hoses that supply water to the clothes washer. If there are any signs of wear and tear such as cracks, blisters or bumps in the hoses, replace them immediately. If they haven't been replaced in five years, replace them anyway. Use stainless steel hoses for more peace of mind. Total cost: under $20.
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2. Use a washing machine drip pan to collect any water from a spill or leak. The pan has a fitting to allow it to be connected to the household drain pipes for larger spills or leaks. Total cost: under $35.
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Many more tips available online
Cleaning tips, maintenance instructions, parts and cleaning supplies for these projects and more can all be found at RepairClinic.com. Consumers can ask the RepairGuru, RepairClinic's online help wizard, for help with most every major appliance repair question.