Isn’t it annoying to find your clothes wet after your washing machine has done a full cycle? Frustrating right?

If you’re having washing machine drainage issues and have no idea what to do about it, then you’re reading the right article.

We’ll be pointing out the major washing machine drainage problems and their solutions.

Keep reading!

Things To Look Out For When Your Washing Machine Isn’t Draining

Your washing machine may not be draining for one or two reasons. We will be looking at the most likely causes below.

Be warned though, make sure you unplug your machine from the power source before you begin the inspection. You also need to get rid of any stagnant water around the washer’s tub.

Doing this will spare you from an electric shock.

The drain hose:

The drain hose may be the cause of all the drainage problems. It may have an external body lodged inside which is disrupting the proper flow.

If the machine is pressed too close against the wall, the hose’s water flow could also be hindered.

A quick fix would be to disconnect the drain hose and take a deep look inside to see what’s causing the obstruction. You could use a flashlight to improve visibility.

Make sure you keep a bucket close by to collect the water that’ll shoot out after the hose is disconnected.

In a case where you can’t reach the clogs you find, just take it outside and blast it out with a garden hose and water.

After doing this, connect the hose back to the washing machine then turn it on. Do the rinse cycle again to confirm it has begun draining properly.

The Lid Switch:

A broken lid switch could also be the reason your washing machine isn’t draining properly.

For those who can’t identify the lid switch, it is a small plastic switch that can be found beneath the door of the washing machine.

To confirm it’s working the right way, open the machine and press the switch. You should hear a clicking sound after doing this. If you don’t, then the switch may be broken.

The belts:

Take a careful look at the manufacturer’s diagram of the washer to identify where the belts are placed.

If you find that one or more of them are broken or out of place, then that may be the cause.

The pump:

Once again, refer to the manufacturer’s diagram to find where the pump is located. It is typically placed in the front or rear of the washer.

You may be required to take off a panel to get a better look at it (depending on the model). Detach the pump and open it to take out the screen then give it a thorough rinse.

Spin the fan blades to be sure they are moving freely, then take a close look at the pump’s outlet to see if there is debris lodged within.

Also, check for cracks that could cause a leakage. If there are cracks, then you’ll need to buy a new pump to replace the damaged one.

The drain:

A clogged washer drain could cause water to lodge in your tub or floor. Use a plumber’s snake to clear the blockage.

An extra tip is to check the pockets of all your clothing before dumping them in the machine. Remove any items you find, as they can cause a blockage.

Pieces of paper, chewing gum, and coins are among the items that can cause your machine not to drain properly. They can get stuck in the washer’s pump or other parts of the machine.

You should also pay attention to the sound of the machine when it’s turned on. An unusual sound could mean a clog.

Washer Drain Clogged After Troubleshooting: What To Do?

If after you’ve done all the necessary checks and part replacements and you’re still experiencing a drainage problem, then the next best move will be to call a professional plumbing service to come and take a look at it.

Part replacement is something you can do all by yourself, but since you’re not an expert in the craft, it’s possible you got the installation all wrong.

Another thing you should know is that the life expectancy of a washing machine is about 12 to 14 years. It may just be that the machine has outlived its time and you need to buy a brand new one.

You probably do your laundry at least 3 times a week, so all that work over a decade would have taken its toll on the washer.

Washing Machine Drainage Pipe Overflow: Quick Fixes

It is common for your washing machine to experience a pipe overflow now and then. This could be caused by hair, dirt, and lint.

However, fixing a pipe overflow is something you can try fixing yourself, so don’t panic.

Once again, turn off your washer and disconnect it from the power outlet to prevent an electric shock. You can then proceed to try these DIY fixes.

Follow these steps –

Find the drain:

The drain hose is usually placed at the rear end of the washer by the bottom and it is typically black in color.

Trace the hose and it should lead you to a standpipe, laundry sink, floor drain, or into a PVC pipe.

Disconnect the drain hose:

Grab a pair of pliers and use it to clamp the clip which holds the hose to the washing machine. Squeeze the clip and tug at it to disconnect the drain hose from the washer.

Don’t forget to remove the opposite end of the hose from the end where it’s connected. This could be the laundry sink or PVC pipe.

Some washers come with a zip tie that holds the hose in place, so you will need to disconnect that too.

Get rid of the blockage:

A metal wardrobe hanger can be used to dislodge debris from the drain hose. You can also use a garden hose to blast out the unwanted contents of the drain pipe.

The next step is to straighten the hose and take a peep inside. It would be dark in there so you can use a flashlight for better visibility.

If the clog is large, a chemical cleaner would come in handy. This breaks down the large debris faster.

Now you can use the flashlight to peep into the drain discharge connector located at the rear of the washer. Put on a pair of gloves and place your finger inside to check if there’s still any debris clogging the hole.

If you find any, you can simply slide it out with your finger.

Reconnect the hose:

Once you’ve made sure the hose has been cleared of debris, you can proceed to reconnect the hose to its original location. As we’ve mentioned earlier, it is placed at the rear of the washing machine.

Use your pliers to squeeze the metal clip and slide the hose back into position. Push it as far as it can move until it reaches the end, then release.

Pull-on the hose a little to make sure it is latched on properly.

Now you can place the opposite end of the hose back into its original position. Secure it with a zip tie so it doesn’t loosen up.

How To Prevent Drain Pipe From Overflowing

Follow these steps to stop your drain pipe from overflowing.

Install a laundry sink:

A laundry sink can spare you the problem of an overflowing drain pipe. If you don’t already have one, then you should.

Draining from the washer to the sink allows you to use a mesh lint catcher, which restricts lint, fabric, and hair from getting into your drain pipe.

Inspect and clean the lint catcher as often as you can to tackle minor clogs before they build up into something more serious.

Get a high-efficiency washer:

These types of washing machines require much less water than regular washers. This means there will be a limited amount of water left behind down the drain.

In a case where the drain gets clogged, the little amount of water left behind will make its way into the laundry sink and won’t overflow from the standpipe.

Always snake your drain:

If you use your washer a lot, then snaking your drain regularly will be a good idea. You can do this once in two months.

You can also snake if you notice that water has begun draining slower than normal.

Use hot water and baking soda:

Once in a while, pour some boiling water into the drain with a cup of baking soda to decongest the pipe. You can also back this up by pouring in some vinegar.

Conclusion

There you have it guys, some common washing machine drainage problems and solutions. Follow the steps in this article to inspect, detect, and solve these issues.

If these fail, then you should call a plumber to take a look at them.

Thanks for reading!

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