Before handing a newly installed washing machine over for regular use, a full test run and performance check confirms that every function — filling, washing, draining, spinning, and any special cycle features — works exactly as it should. This final verification step catches issues that a simple leak test or visual inspection alone might miss.
What a Test Run and Performance Check Involves
A proper performance check goes beyond a single quick cycle, verifying the machine functions correctly across its full range of features:
- Running at least one complete standard wash cycle from start to finish, observing fill, wash, rinse, drain, and spin stages
- Testing additional cycle options where applicable — such as quick wash, delicate, heavy duty, or hot wash settings — to confirm they function correctly
- Checking water temperature accuracy for machines with a heating element, particularly for hot wash cycles
- Verifying the spin cycle reaches appropriate speed without excessive vibration or noise
- Confirming the machine's display, controls, and indicator lights all function correctly throughout the cycle
- Checking for consistent, complete draining at the end of the cycle, with no residual water left in the drum
This step is particularly important for machines with multiple cycle options, since a basic test wash alone might not reveal an issue affecting only certain specialized cycles.
Test Run and Performance Check Cost Breakdown
| Service Type | Estimated Cost Range (KES) |
|---|---|
| Basic single-cycle test run | 500 – 1,000 |
| Full performance check across multiple cycle types | 1,200 – 2,500 |
| Performance check for commercial machines | 2,000 – 4,000 |
| Test run bundled with full installation | Often included in installation package |
What a Performance Check Can Reveal
A full performance check sometimes uncovers issues that wouldn't be obvious from a quick visual inspection alone — a heating element that doesn't reach the correct temperature for hot wash cycles, a spin cycle that doesn't reach full speed, or an error code that only appears on certain specialized settings. Catching these issues immediately after installation means they can be addressed under warranty or as part of the installation service, rather than being discovered weeks later during regular use.
Why a Thorough Test Run Matters for New Installations
It's not uncommon for a machine to complete a basic wash cycle without any obvious problems, only for a fault to appear later on a cycle type that wasn't tested during installation. A comprehensive performance check, covering the range of cycles the household or business actually plans to use regularly, gives much greater confidence that the installation is genuinely complete and the machine is functioning as intended.
What to Ask For During Your Installation
When booking an installation, it's worth confirming that the test run will include the specific cycle types you expect to use most often — particularly if you rely on features like a sanitizing hot wash or a delicate cycle for specific fabric types, since these are sometimes skipped in a basic test run focused only on a standard wash. If your household or business has particular laundry needs, mentioning these upfront when booking gives the technician the chance to plan a performance check that actually reflects how you'll use the machine day to day.
Performance Checks for Commercial Machines
For commercial installations — gyms, hostels, laundromats — a performance check often needs to go further than a residential test run, since these machines are expected to handle heavier, more frequent loads under continuous operation. A commercial performance check typically includes testing back-to-back cycles to observe how the machine handles limited rest time between loads, which is a more realistic reflection of how the equipment will actually be used once it's in daily commercial service.
Washing Machine Repair In Nairobi includes a comprehensive test run and performance check as part of every installation across Nairobi, verifying your machine's full range of functions before considering the job complete. Contact our team today to book an installation with a thorough performance check included.