Swirl Drum: what is it, what are they like and what to do if they break?

The drums of modern washing machine models have numerous holes on the surface. They can be shaped like bubbles or honeycombs, making the washing process more efficient. One can say about the Swirl Drum that it is a device with numerous holes in the form of a honeycomb. It has its advantages and features, which are described in detail in the presented material.

What does Swirl Drum mean?

Literally translated from English, the phrase “Swirl Drum” means “vortex drum”. This refers to small but numerous vortices of water that form during washing and actively come into contact with the surface of the clothing.

They appear due to the fact that there are many small holes on the surface of the drum, which are shaped like a honeycomb. In this regard, such drums are called cellular.

We can say about the Shiatsu drum in a washing machine that it is not only a collection of small holes in the form of a honeycomb, but also guides. These are special stainless steel inserts that form many waves or vortices. They are the ones who optimally distribute water flows for effective interaction even with dense tissues.

Pros and types of Swirl Drum

Before the introduction of this technology, the drum in the washing machine was labeled Diamond Drum.Its internal surfaces had a special shape, and numerous holes reduced the degree of wear and damage to fabrics, especially thin, delicate ones.

But with the transition to honeycomb drums, the number of holes has increased, and the diameter of their holes has become even smaller. Therefore, they began to form numerous but small waves, which make the washing process even more efficient.

The innovative technology provides several practical advantages:

1. Gentle washing of even the finest fabrics, such as silk, wool, children's items, clothes with rhinestones, lace, ruffles and other types of trim.
2. Less wear on the drum and other parts.
3. A more efficient washing process, all other things being equal (time, quantity and quality of powder, water temperature, number of revolutions and other parameters).

In this regard, another similar technology can be mentioned. It can be argued about the relief surface of the drum with bubbles that this is an optimal system that distributes water flows during washing. But manufacturers do not stand still and also offer Q-Drum devices.

In this case, the drum has an additional plate, which is located in its rear part, i.e. as far as possible from the door. Small flows of water are additionally regulated by this element; they interact with clothing in an orderly manner, effectively dissolve the powder and improve the result of the process.

Signs of breakdown

Even the most advanced drums sometimes break, and the signs are quite obvious; they can be recognized by their external manifestations:

• the unit makes a lot of noise, extraneous creaks can be heard;
• there is a leak from below, rust with smudges appears on the tank itself
• the belt constantly flies off the pulley (if the device is equipped with a belt drive);
• the outer surface of the drum is strongly abraded against the hatch cuff;
• during spinning, it knocks loudly and comes into contact with the body or glass of the hatch;
• The laundry becomes covered with stains that have a black oily appearance or resemble rust.

In severe cases, when the breakdown is very serious, the drum simply jams right during rotation, and it can “chew” things. Sometimes this leads to failure of the device itself, as well as to a short circuit in the network - plugs fly out, the whole house is de-energized. Therefore, it is better to recognize the problem in advance, disconnect the unit from the network and carry out diagnostics.

Causes of drum failure and repair

It is clear that the embossed surface of the drum itself cannot lead to failure. On the contrary, it protects it from wear and tear, and clothes from damage to the fibers. If the drum does not work or functions incorrectly, it is due to other elements:

1. The bearings are worn out and destroyed.
2. The seal has lost its tightness.
3. The cross shaft is badly worn or completely destroyed.
4. The spring flew off and became deformed.
5. Damage on the shock absorber side.

It is quite obvious that the Swirl Drum is an effective type of drum with small holes and guides that distribute vortex flows. But if the device itself fails, it can seriously damage the entire washing machine.

As a rule, repairs come down to complete replacement of parts. This involves accurately determining the cause, dismantling the old element and installing a new element. But it is not always possible to carry out diagnostics at home, much less replace one or another unit. Therefore, if in doubt, it is recommended to call the service center and invite a specialist to your home.

It is quite obvious which drum is better - bubble or honeycomb.It is better to choose the latter option, as it provides a better wash. In addition, thanks to this approach, clothes are better preserved, even those made from delicate fabrics.