Maintaining cleanliness in your washing machine is essential. Not only can improper draining of washing machine water be a risk to our health and hygiene, but it could also cause irreparable damage to garments.
Many believe that all they need to do is push the drain button on their washing machine for it to take care of draining itself. In reality, there’s a bit more involved in achieving successful drainage.
To correctly drain a washing machine, it is necessary to utilize the drain pump and appropriately connect it to a drain pipe.
This article will provide a comprehensive rundown of how do you manually drain a washing machine. So let’s get started.
How to Manually Drain a Top Loading Washing Machine?
To effectively drain a top-loading washing machine, ensure that the lid switch is pressed firmly down – this will kick-start the draining process. If it does not work, then here are some instructions to help you out:
Step 1: Check the Power Cord
Check the power cord and lay down your towels. Unplug the washing machine and ensure it is disconnected from any power source. This will prevent electric shock or fire hazards.
Step 2: Identify the Drain Pump Hose
For a top-loading washer, you need to pull the washer tub away from the wall to have enough space for yourself. From the back side of front loading machines, you will spot water supply hoses such as red for hot water supply, blue for cold water hoses, and a separate drain hose which is typically gray.
Step 3: Disconnect the Drain Hose
The drain hose connects your washer to a drain pipe. To disconnect the hose, you can pull it directly from the machine or use a pair of needle nose pliers to loosen the hose clamp connecting to the washer.
Step 4: Drain the Remaining Water
Once the hose is disconnected, hold a large bucket underneath the washer to catch any excess water. It should start to drain out after some time. To help speed up the process, tilt your washing machine forward so that all the standing water can be drained.
How to Manually Drain a Front Loading Washer?
Front-loading washers are somewhat different from their top-loading counterparts. To manually drain a front loader, you need to keep your towels close and take the following steps:
Step 1: Cut off the Electrical System
The first step is to unplug the washing machine. This will ensure no power runs through it while you work on it. This will save you from unwanted electric shocks, flooding incidents, or fire menaces.
Step 2: Locate the Washing Machine Drain Hose
It is important to identify where your drain pump hose is located on your machine. This will help you know which part of the washing machine you need to work on. Your drain pump hose should be connected to an external pipe to funnel water out properly.
Step 3: Start Draining Properly
If you only have a drain pump filter, take a shallow container and place it under the drain pump filter to drain water. Turn the knob slowly until the water flow starts to come out.
Step 4: Clean the Drainpipe Filter
Most front-load washers have a single drainpipe filter with a draining pipe filter and a drain inlet hose connected to the spring clamps. Make sure you take the time to clean it regularly.
What are the Possible Causes of Washing Machine Drain Issues?
After the machine has been emptied of its water, track down what could have caused the water drain issue by checking out these common causes:
Drain Pump Clog
A clogged drain pump can be identified by the machine taking longer than usual to drain. To fix this, you need to unclip the drain tube, clear any drain pump and pipe blockage, and then test it again.
This can be tricky, so it is advisable to check the owner’s manual or contact a professional to rectify the problem.
Inlet Valve Clog or Malfunction
If your washer is not taking in any water, then chances are that there is an issue with the inlet valve. To fix it, you will need to check if the hose is securely connected, followed by checking and cleaning out any debris from the inlet valve.
Drain Hose Clog
If there is a blockage in the drain hose, it can cause the machine to not drain properly. To fix this, you must check and clean the drain filter regularly. Use a plumber’s snake to remove any blockage from the drain hose, which should help clear the issue.
Improper Drain Height
Always keep the hose higher than the washer tub. However, this can also be a tricky part. If you install it too high, your washer may not be able to drain water properly. That is why it is best to check the user manual before installing your washing machine, regardless of its type.
Poor Load Distribution
To completely drain your washing machine, it is imperative to consider its loading capacity after each spin cycle. Avoid overloading it with heavy garments or allowing it to function with an empty spin cycle.
Defective Lid Switch
Another possible reason is a defective lid switch that causes most top-loading washing machines not to drain properly. To fix this issue, you must replace the faulty lid switch with a new one.
Faulty Water Pump
If you hear a humming noise coming from your washer, it could mean that the water pump is damaged or faulty. To resolve this issue, carefully remove the back panel of your washing machine and check if the belt connected to the motor is intact. If not, replace it with a new one and reconnect all of its wires.
Broken Belt
When you cannot drain a washing machine, another possible reason is the drive belt. It is located at the bottom of the washing machine and is essential to its functioning. To fix this issue, you must unplug the machine and disassemble it to check for any damage or wear and tear. If necessary, replace the belt with a new one.
Conclusion
With all the steps necessary to manually drain a washing machine, the task can seem quite daunting at first. However, by following the guidance outlined here, it doesn’t have to be so intimidating.
An important note to consider is that safety comes first – make sure to be careful and cautiously follow each step for optimal results every time.
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