Washing Machine Filling Very Slowly

Right after I fixed the washing machine water valve, I attempted to wash some clothes. After I loaded the machine and pulled the knob to start filling it with water, things got a bit strange. The water would go on and then off and then on again. I chalked it up to the machine doing its thing.

After about an hour, I went back to the washer to pull the clothes out and put them in the dryer. To my absolute horror, I found the load stuck in the rinse cycle, basically shut off. I pulled the knob again to see if I could kick it into gear. All I was able to muster was a slow drip of water.

After scratching my head in utter disbelief, I decided I knew what the problem was. I figured that the valve replacement had agitated some crud in the lines, which in turn, clogged the two screen filters in back of the machine. I was right. Take a look here.

I pulled the screen filters out of the machine and hooked the hoses back up without them. I turned the machine back on and – BAMM – the water came out like crazy. Problem solved.

My question is, why in the world do they put screen filters back there? What’s the fear of a piece of sediment getting into the washer water supply? People put muddy jeans and shoes in washing machines all day long. The only thing I can think of is that the manufacturer doesn’t want dirt getting into the water pump. I think I’m going to run things from now on taking that risk.