Washing Machine won't drain

Leoskeys · 08-21-2015, 06:10 PM

The water has stopped draining out of our washing machine. We live in Alton. Any opinions, or recommendations for someone to take a look? It's probably cheaper to just replace.

Kamper · 08-21-2015, 07:05 PM

If you drain it into a dry-well, that may have reached the end of it's service life.

lakewinnie · 08-21-2015, 09:29 PM

There could be a clog in the pump. This has happened to my Whirlpool front-loading washer several times. I suggest unplugging the washer and removing the access panel (usually on the bottom of the front side of a front-loading washer or in the back of a top-loading washer). Sometimes the pump will have a separate opening for draining it, or you can remove the drain hose at the pump and check if it is clogged.

dpg · 08-25-2015, 07:06 AM

I have a front loader also and small things like socks keep going behind the gasket for the door seal. It's become a regular checking place to be sure nothing is behind the gasket when loading the dryer. Just this weekend had one of the ankle height socks there. Probably not your issue but just a thought.

Blue Thunder · 08-25-2015, 07:57 AM

Washers and dryers are surprisingly easy to work on. The top of a top loading washer is only held on with a couple of spring clips in the front. The top will tilt back once these are pried open with a screwdriver and it's usually just two small screws to take the front panel off. Everything will be in full view at this point, including the pump that empties the drum. It probably just clogged with lint and hair.....

BT

DickR · 08-25-2015, 12:13 PM

Ditto on washers being fairly easy to work on, for most things. If the washer is a top loader, then you likely have a panel in back that is easy to remove, for inspection of the drive mechanism, pump, and hoses underneath the drum. The pump would be easy to spot, as it would have hoses connected to it. Depending on the age, there likely would be a drive belt against the pulley on the pump. Your problem could be a broken or just loose belt. A belt is easy to replace or just retension. If there is something in the pump, disconnecting the hoses and removal of the pump isn't too hard. On some older models, you can remove 8-10 metal clips holding the bottom of the pump on, to expose the impeller and anything in the way of foreign matter keeping the impeller from turning, without even removing the pump or disconnecting the hoses.

08-21-2015, 06:10 PM	#1
Leoskeys Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 148 Thanks: 134 Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts	Washing Machine won't drain The water has stopped draining out of our washing machine. We live in Alton. Any opinions, or recommendations for someone to take a look? It's probably cheaper to just replace.

08-21-2015, 09:29 PM	#3
lakewinnie Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Moultonborough and CT Posts: 74 Thanks: 36 Thanked 59 Times in 24 Posts	The pump may be clogged There could be a clog in the pump. This has happened to my Whirlpool front-loading washer several times. I suggest unplugging the washer and removing the access panel (usually on the bottom of the front side of a front-loading washer or in the back of a top-loading washer). Sometimes the pump will have a separate opening for draining it, or you can remove the drain hose at the pump and check if it is clogged.

08-25-2015, 07:57 AM	#5
Blue Thunder Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine Posts: 952 Thanks: 256 Thanked 351 Times in 158 Posts	Washers and dryers are surprisingly easy to work on. The top of a top loading washer is only held on with a couple of spring clips in the front. The top will tilt back once these are pried open with a screwdriver and it's usually just two small screws to take the front panel off. Everything will be in full view at this point, including the pump that empties the drum. It probably just clogged with lint and hair..... BT __________________ " Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"

08-21-2015, 07:05 PM	#2
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,309 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	If you drain it into a dry-well, that may have reached the end of it's service life.

The Following User Says Thank You to lakewinnie For This Useful Post:
Old Hubbard Rd (08-22-2015)

08-25-2015, 07:06 AM	#4
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,618 Thanks: 157 Thanked 235 Times in 172 Posts	I have a front loader also and small things like socks keep going behind the gasket for the door seal. It's become a regular checking place to be sure nothing is behind the gasket when loading the dryer. Just this weekend had one of the ankle height socks there. Probably not your issue but just a thought.

08-25-2015, 12:13 PM	#6
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 757 Thanks: 4 Thanked 259 Times in 171 Posts	Ditto on washers being fairly easy to work on, for most things. If the washer is a top loader, then you likely have a panel in back that is easy to remove, for inspection of the drive mechanism, pump, and hoses underneath the drum. The pump would be easy to spot, as it would have hoses connected to it. Depending on the age, there likely would be a drive belt against the pulley on the pump. Your problem could be a broken or just loose belt. A belt is easy to replace or just retension. If there is something in the pump, disconnecting the hoses and removal of the pump isn't too hard. On some older models, you can remove 8-10 metal clips holding the bottom of the pump on, to expose the impeller and anything in the way of foreign matter keeping the impeller from turning, without even removing the pump or disconnecting the hoses.