Could New Washing Machine Be Damaged by Delivery Guy?

[kyphysics]

When our new washing machine was delivered, the delivery/installation guy ran a "test wash" cycle.

I did not look inside the machine when he did this, as I stood to the side. After the test cycle finished, he left and I assumed all was good, b/c he said it worked. I could, of course, hear the machine running and then stop. I just never looked inside.

The next day, I noticed lots of styrofoam balls inside the machine. There were tiny (probably small or the same size as the whole in the washing machine tub - you know those mini holes that are scattered throughout the tub?...presumably that let water drain out).

I suspected those styrofoam balls were "broken off" pieces from the packaging material. For sure, they matched the styrofoam ball patterns left behind on discarded packaging material. It seems a little (or a lot?...we don't know) got left in the machine and then washed during the test wash.

QUESTION
Do you think those styrofoam balls if they went either into the drain or "behind the tub" somehow that they could have caused damage or wreaked some kind of havoc? Like, could they have clogged our pipes? Could they have settled at the bottom of the outer tub (if such a thing exists) and collected there (maybe causing some drainage or other issue later?)? Would they dissolve in water? I'm guessing not (not like toilet paper over time).

If they don't dissolve and don't drain well, would they cause problems later?

 

[berkeman]

I'd just call the delivery folks to ask about it.

 

[russ_watters]

It's Styrofoam. It won't hurt anything.

 

[Borek]

It can probably still clog the filter (which you are probably expected to clean now and then as a part of a normal maintenance).

 

[hutchphd]

If there is a cleanable filter, find it and clean it. Run a wash cycle with a dirty towel (or other hardy dirty objects) and see how it goes. Then report any problems/questions to vendor.

 

[Office_Shredder]

My sad experience with washing machine deliveries is yes, they absolutely can be damaged by the delivery person

 

[russ_watters]

I would not expect the drain line to have a filter...or if they do, I've never cleaned one.

 

[BillTre]

Mine has a filter (built into the washer).
We have a dog that sheds a lot of long hairs.
Requires a lot of cleaning.

 

[berkeman]

Mine has a filter (built into the washer).
We have a dog that sheds a lot of long hairs.
Requires a lot of cleaning.

Interesting. Presumably to help keep your main drain line from developing clogs and requiring snaking. What brand of washer is it? Does it list the output filter as a feature perhaps? I don't think ours has an output filter, but I'll have to ask my wife (who is also a home warranty specialist, so she probably will know if this is a common feature on clothes washing machines...

 

[berkeman]

but I'll have to ask my wife (who is also a home warranty specialist, so she probably will know if this is a common feature on clothes washing machines...

I just checked with her, and she says that she has not heard of that feature before for clothes washers. You're special, Bill.

 

[BillTre]

Interesting. Presumably to help keep your main drain line from developing clogs and requiring snaking. What brand of washer is it? Does it list the output filter as a feature perhaps? I don't think ours has an output filter, but I'll have to ask my wife (who is also a home warranty specialist, so she probably will know if this is a common feature on clothes washing machines...

It is a Kenmore.

 

[DrGreg]

I think the drain filter in washing machines is to protect the drain water pump from getting clogged up with debris from the laundry. The filter needs to be cleaned periodically.

 

[collinsmark]

Ya know, if you have a brand new washer, you should also have a brand new users' manual. If there is a serviceable filter, it's probably mentioned somewhere in there.

 

[russ_watters]

I have a pretty much brand-new washer, and the manual doesn't say anything about a filter - and I've never seen one before on other washers. Can I ask someone who has a washer with a filter to show it to me? This honestly makes no sense to me.

[edit] Ok here's one:



Mind = blown

 

[BillTre]

I have a pretty much brand-new washer, and the manual doesn't say anything about a filter - and I've never seen one before on other washers. Can I ask someone who has a washer with a filter to show it to me? This honestly makes no sense to me.

Here is what mine looks like:

The tube with the plug is drain out water before taking the filter out.

 

[russ_watters]

Thanks. The reason this makes no sense to me is that I just figured since I'd never seen one before that pump makers had figured out how to make clog-free pumps 50 years ago, and the drain line is clearly designed to handle solid waste. But evidently there's something different about front-load washers that seems to necessitate strainers.

 

[BillTre]

My guess is it to protect the recirc pump, as someone said.
With the amount of dog hair we pull out from time to time, for sure the pump could have challenges.

 

[kyphysics]

sorry for the delayed response everyone

ruptured C5 disc in my neck!

*been in pain*...can't even sleep without excruciating pain

 

[Tom.G]

OUCH!
How did you manage that? So I can avoid it.

(I have several bulging discs (both neck & lumbar) but haven't popped any... yet. It can be interesting stepping off a curb though when they stop signal flow to the quadriceps.)