How to turn a rubber band over in the washing machine

Progress does not stand still, but even modern washing machines are not protected from breakdowns. The carpenter often fails in the washing machine, which breaks at the bottom and makes it impossible to wash. Few people know that you can turn the cuff over in the washing machine and continue using the equipment as if nothing had happened. Today we will tell you about this simple repair that will help save money and time.

How to move the cuff?

Some try to use force in this operation, but this way they will not be able to turn the cuff over. The rubber is attached to the machine using internal and external clamps, so if you do not disconnect them first, the rubber seal will not budge. It will take time, but otherwise nothing will work.

• We bend the edge of the rubber seal near the hatch wall, where we look for a plastic or metal clamp.
• We pry the clamp with a screwdriver, then move along it until we find the fastening.
• The fastening element must be loosened and the clamp removed.
• We return the elastic band to its normal state and look for the internal clamp.
• We pry it up with a screwdriver and loosen it, but in this case it is not necessary to remove it.
• Rotate the cuff 180 degrees so that the hole is at the top.
• We install the inner clamp in its place, turn out the seal, and install the outer clamp.
• Now all that remains is to check that the cuff fits well into the groove, then close the washer hatch. If it closes normally, then the job was completed successfully.

It takes quite a long time to remove the clamps, but do not try to brute force the rubber band secured with the clamps, otherwise you may completely damage the part and have to buy a new one.

Choose your repair tools carefully. Under no circumstances use small sharp screwdrivers, stationery, table or any other knives, otherwise there is a high risk of damaging the cuff even more.

Is it possible to repair the hole?

Such budgetary repairs do take place, but they do not always correct the situation 100 percent. In some cases, the rubber continues to leak, which is why you will have to go for a new part or try to patch up the old one.

Of course, it won't work to just seal the elastic band with glue. Neither moment, nor superglue, nor any other glue will ensure long-term operation of the machine. After the procedure, the washing machine will only be able to wash normally once, and even that is not a fact. Hot water, powders, fabric softeners and other detergents destroy almost any adhesive. Only silicone sealant can resist, and we will use it to restore the seal.

• For the procedure you will need a thin curved needle, nylon thread and sealant.
• We sew up the tear end-to-end using a football stitch.
• Apply a generous amount of sealant to the resulting seam.
• We leave the washer with the hatch open for the whole day so that the silicone has time to dry completely.
• Now you can start the test wash.

If the machine washes normally and does not leak, then the cuff is repaired. Such repairs last for about six months, so if you don’t want to buy a new rubber band, then after six months you need to update the silicone sealant, otherwise it will begin to deteriorate over time.

If you are repairing a seal using sealant, then forget about washing programs in which the machine heats up the water very much, stop at modes not exceeding 60 degrees.

The main disadvantage of such budget repairs is that it is difficult to get to the damage. If the part breaks from below, then you are lucky, but it can also break in the central groove, which is not particularly accessible. In this case, you have to remove the rubber completely, sew it up, and then install it from scratch. And if you have to perform such complex manipulations and completely remove the cuff, maybe you should not put back the damaged part, but buy a new one?

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