A Load of Water: DIY Washing Machine that Won't Drain

If you are like me, then everything always seems to go wrong when you are rushing around like a chicken with your head cut off and really don't have time. For example, you are trying to get three kids and yourself ready for an exciting weekend adventure (an overdue three day weekend) to the beach. You are trying to get ten loads of laundry done so you can get the suitcases pack when you washing machine stops. You open the top and notice that it is completely full of water and your clothes are sopping wet. The only thing you can think is WHY ME!

Take a deep breath because this has actually happened to me. This is not the end of the world. Occasionally washing machines become blocked and won't drain properly. There are do it yourself fixes without the additional cost of calling in a plumber. In my case, I am a single mom and calling a plumber was not an option and my dad was out of town for the weekend.

First of all, you are going to have to get behind your washing machine. When washing machines are full of water, getting behind one can be a chore in itself. You may have to remove the wet clothes in order to make the machine light enough to move. I just got all the kids to help and we managed to pull it away from the wall far enough to manage.

The drain hose if the first part of the washing machine you want to check. Often due to the spinning of long term washing machine usage the drain hose can get a kink in it that causes water to be unable to flow freely. This is similar to when a garden hose gets a kink. Check to make sure the hose has no kinks. This is a common problem and one of the easiest fixes. Once you straighten the hose, the washing machine should drain fine.

If this does not fix your problem, the next steps may be a little more complicated. Another common problem is an obstruction which can occur in a number of different places. You are going to want to make sure the water connecting to your washing machine is off before attempting to check for obstructions. Also make sure the washing machine is unplugged. This is not the time to see if you are a conductor of electricity, take my word for it, it can be a shocking experience.

An easy DIY fix is checking the drain hose for obstructions. The drain hose should be the most visible hose connecting to the washing machine. You should be able to remove the hose with a wrench or pliers. After you remove the hose, check to make sure there is no obstruction in the hose. If you have children or leave things in your pockets, sometimes these objects can become lodged and cause the water to not drain properly.

If there is not obstruction in your drain hose, go on to the washing machine pump. For this step it is a wise idea to get out the manual that came with the washing machine. Each machine is different and removing the top to the pump is what you want to do. You probably will need a screw driver. Once you have the top off of the pump, check for any foreign objects. A piece of cloth, torn clothing, money or crayons can all cause the water flow to stop. If you find anything that does not belong, remove the obstruction and reinstall the top of the pump.

If all these steps have been done and your washing machine still is not draining, most machines have a safety lid switch. This switch causes the machine to cut off when the lid is raised. If the switch becomes broken it will stop the water from draining properly. You may need professional assistance for this problem.

Hopefully you will be able to get your washing machine up and running again in no time. I was able to find the clog on mine rather easily. I felt pretty good about myself after fixing the washing machine without calling a plumber! Best of luck!