Can a chipped washing machine drum be repaired?
Chipped washing machine drums can sometimes be repaired using an appliance touch-up paint or enamel kit if the damage is only cosmetic, but rust or structural leaks usually require replacing the drum. Leaving a chip unaddressed can cause clothes to snag and rust to bleed onto fabrics during washes.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Using epoxy to fill the holeDid this help you?
- 2Using tape to cover the punctureDid this help you?
- 3Calling an appliance repair technician from the store where the machine was purchasedDid this help you?
- 4Inspecting the rubber boot between the door and tub or pulling the front off the unitDid this help you?
- 5Splicing the neutral wires togetherDid this help you?
- 6Cutting, stripping, and crimping on a new spade terminalDid this help you?
- 7Using a crimp removal set to remove the old terminal from the plugDid this help you?
- 8replacing the front side of the tub yourselfDid this help you?
- 9replacing the entire tub assemblyDid this help you?
- 10buying a new washing machine instead of paying for professional repair laborDid this help you?
- 11empty it and do a drain cycleDid this help you?
- 12Time for a new machineDid this help you?
- 13Continuing to run the appliance because it hasn't leaked yetDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“The inside of my washing machine chipped off. Is this something that can be repaired?”source ↗
“Counter weight was broken and it broke this thing I’ll call it a positioning knob. So am I fucked? or can I just Jerry rig patch that hole or glue this knob back? Is it just going to break again?”source ↗
“I have an older Samsung which is leaking from around the drum.”source ↗
“It does look like the water is really coming down from the door seal (3rd picture).”source ↗
“We came down stairs the other morning and found this when opening the freezer. No idea what caused it, maybe something frozen and heavy fell on it.”source ↗
“What is the best way to cover this so moisture doesn’t get in? If I tape it I’m worried the door won’t seal.”source ↗
“My GE profile front loading washer is leaking near the front.”source ↗
“Leak comes out basically where the screw is a little to the left.”source ↗
“Could i splice the 2 neutral wires together or do I need to strip the broken wire and try to place it back in that tiny terminal?”source ↗
“If we run it, sounds like it’s hitting something and won’t release the water unless we empty it and do a drain cycle.”source ↗
“Before it was flashing the “F21” error code. So I removed the filter, and water. The last image is what was in the filter. I think it’s a ring that holds the drum in place.”source ↗
“I discovered a hole this morning while wiping out the dishwasher. This is inside the dishwasher under the spray arms at the bottom.”source ↗
“Any advice on what that part is/does and how to repair it would be greatly appreciated.”source ↗
“Hi! I noticed a very small hole/tear in the rubber door seal of my washing machine (see photo).”source ↗
“Since then, I’ve noticed a very small puddle of water underneath the machine after washing.”source ↗
“Would you replace the entire door seal because of this, or could such a tiny hole be repaired?”source ↗
Where this came up
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