How to drain water out of a washing machine
If your washing machine has finished running a cycle, but you’ve noticed that water remains inside, it’s probably left you a little flummoxed. You can turn the spin cycle on to see if this will drain the water, but if that doesn’t help, you’ll still be left with soaking laundry and a washing machine full of water.
Why won’t the water drain from my washing machine?
There are several possibilities why the water isn’t draining from your washing machine. It could be that your washer has a clogged drain hose, or the pump may be faulty. A broken lid switch or belt could also be the causing the problem. It may even be as simple as the hose being jammed. Whatever the cause, the water will need to be drained from the washing machine before any repair work can be carried out.
Steps to help you drain water out of your washing machine
One way to remove the water is to bail it out, but this can be time consuming, messy and tough on your back as you’ll be repeatedly bending over to reach the bottom of the tub. The easiest way to drain the water from your washer is to use the drain hose and let gravity do the work.
Follow the steps below to effectively drain water out of your washing machine, and run through what may be causing the problem in the first place:
1. Turn off the power
Ensure the power to the washing machine is turned off by unplugging the machine at the main socket on the wall.
2. Locate drain hose at the back of the washing machine
The drain hose can be found behind the washer, and it’s first worth checking to see if it’s bent or kinked as this could be blocking the water flow. If this is the case, then straightening the hose may instantly fix the problem. If the hose doesn’t appear to be bent or kinked, then disconnect it from the drain. Keep the hose higher than the washing machine until you’re ready to drain the water
3. Put a bucket in place
Get a bucket and place it next to the washing machine and drop the hose into the bucket so that the water can begin draining away. If the bucket fills, raise the hose above the washing machine to stem the flow until you can empty the bucket and continue the process. If the water doesn’t seem to flow freely, there may be a blocked filter which will need to be cleared before continuing.
4. Check for drain hose clogs
Once the water has fully drained, check the hose for any clogs such as clothing, pieces of material or chunks of soap that may be blocking the flow. Loosen the clamp that connects the hose to the bottom of the tub and check for any blockages here as well. If you see anything, gently remove it before reconnecting the hose.
5. Check for deeper clogs in the drain or beyond
If the hose is clear, it’s possible that there could be a blockage in the drain or beyond. If this is the case, you’ll need to get hold of a plumber’s snake to successfully clear it.
6. Inspect washer pump
Refer to your manufacturer’s instruction booklet to locate your washing machine’s washer pump and parts, then check to see if it has a clog, damaged impeller, belt or a leak. There is usually a strange noise when the washing machine is operating that indicates a bad pump, or leaking is also another tell tale sign. A bad pump will need to be replaced with the same pump model, but you can call a qualified technician to help if you’re not confident replacing it yourself.7. Inspect the lid switch
Locate the washing machine lid switch and check that it’s operating properly by depressing it by hand. If you don’t hear a click, it may need replacing.
8. Look for damaged belts
Inspect the belts for damage as these may be causing a drainage problem. Do this by unscrewing the access panel and thoroughly checking the pain belt and pump belt. Again, refer to your manufacturer’s instruction booklet if you’re unsure on where they are located.
9. Check for a washing machine drain vent
A drain vent is designed to allow air in to help prevent a vacuum that could potentially disrupt water from draining properly away from the washing machine. If you spot a gap around the drain hose where it enters the drain, a vent may be required.
10. Call a professional for further help
If you’ve followed all the above steps and still can’t find the problem, it may be best for you to contact a professional plumber or washing machine service technician for further help.
