Hole in plastic outer drum casing

[paul whyte]

Hi,

I have a Samsung 9kg machine 15 months old which has developed a leak. I've eventually located a hole in the plastic casing. This is 1" into the casing after the drum inlet pipe from the drawer. I really can't understand how this could have occured from just water entering the area. The hole is through a plastic several mm's thick. 

I am hoping this can be filled with a plastic jointing compound but would have to be the correct product so wouldn't wear away quickly.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[paul whyte]

Sorry, it's actually a Hotpoint machine.

[Whitegoodshelp]

Hello Paul. Damage like this is almost always caused by coins, or some other metal object that has been left inside pockets. Have a look for evidence of dints inside the drum. It can only be caused by something rubbing on it. I have an article about repairing plastic tubs on washing machines although it is only really about repairing thin cracks. If the damage is worse than a thin crack it might be difficult to fix. You could possibly try some gutter repair tape that is made to repair guttering on roofs. It is meant to stick to plastic and is waterproof. If possible I would also try to do some sort of patching underneath on the other side too.

[Whitegoodshelp]

If you think it's repairable, I‘d try to patch it on both sides with some suitable plastic epoxy resin and then roughen up the area around it and stick some guttering repair tape on both sides too. 

[paul whyte]

I found a video on YouTube where the poster filled a hole by melting plastic into it with a soldering iron. I've tried it and has held up so far after 2 washes. I haven't been able to access the inside surface so may prove to be vulnerable in future.

Thanks

[Whitegoodshelp]

Cheers Paul. That was actually my idea, I started doing it in the 90s and describe it in the article I linked to in my last reply (How to repair crack in plastic outer drum) It should work ok as long as it's only a thin crack. Also, you need to address what caused the damage, which is likely to be a coin or similar. It may have fallen into the sump hose now, but if you hear anything metal being flung about during spin you may be in trouble.

[paul whyte]

Thanks Andy, yes I did find a very thick necklace in the sump pipe..hopefully that has been the cause. I am surprised it has caused the damage where it did at the inlet point of the drum but I should be thankful that the damage wasn't greater.

[Whitegoodshelp]

Be careful to listen out for metallic rattling. There could be something else stuck between the inner and outer drum.