Washer not draining? Here's what may be wrong.
Picture this: You go to get the clothes out of your washer and find it's full of water. The load hasn't drained and now the unit is full of murky water. This can happen for a number of reasons, some of which are easy fixes you can do yourself, but some may require a closer look and possible parts replacement. Having a washer that's not draining is frustrating to say the least, but here are some things to check.
Start simple:
The first thing to check on a washer not draining is the drain tube. If the drain tube is too far into the standpipe behind the washer it can cause poor draining and in some cases a syphoning effect that will bring water back in to the washer as it's trying to push water out. In most circumstances, the drain tube should be secured about 6 inches into the standpipe to create a waterfall. Typically, we see this issue on new installs where the drain was improperly put too far into the standpipe or homes with a plumbing issue causing drains to back up. This is an easy thing to check and typically does not require a service call.
Dig a bit deeper:
There could be a clog in the drain system of the washer itself. Smaller items like socks and undergarments can sometimes slip between the tub and basket and work their way to the drain system. On some front load models, there is what's called a "coin trap" that will filter these before they reach the pump. Your owner's manual should be able to tell you if you have an accessible coin trap and how to check it. Most top load models do not have a built in coin trap as they have a different drain system. If your washer does not have an accessible coin trap, disassembly may be required to remove the pump or access the trap. If you have an accessible unit, a service call is not usually needed, however if disassembly is required I would recommend having a qualified technician to do the repair.
Get technical:
If the drain tube is correctly installed and the pump is clear of debris, you may have an electrical issue where the pump is not getting voltage or has failed. This will require a multimeter and performing continuity tests on the harness as well as voltage checks from the control and at the drain pump. This is something that I would always recommend having a technician do since it involves the risk of electrical shock. With this, there could be a break in the wiring harness, a failed drain pump, or an electrical supply issue coming from the control, but generally a failed part would need to be replaced.
There are many reasons that a washer may not be draining, some more complicated than others. While it's never ideal to have an appliance fail, this is usually something that can be resolved fairly quickly and typically without great expense. If your washer isn't draining, or if you have any other appliance issues, please feel free to give us a call. Ken's Appliance Service specializes in Whirlpool, Maytag, Amana, and Roper, and we service many other brands as well. We're local to middle Tennessee but also service Chattanooga and the surrounding areas as well as Memphis and it's suburbs. You can schedule using the link below or call our office at 615-896-2933 and we would be happy to help get your machine back in working order!
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