How to Fix a Clogged Up Washer Drain
The drain water from the washing machine is full of dirt and lint. When the washer doesn't drain at all, it is usually due to a clogged pump or drain hose. When water is overflowing from the drainpipe, it is due to a clogged washer drain. Fixing a clogged up washer drain requires a drain snake -- a long, steel flexible cable with a corkscrew auger on the end. The auger pushes through most plumbing clogs, breaking them up into smaller pieces that flow down the drain. Drain snakes are available at home improvement centers. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Towels
- Mop
- Drain snake
- Bucket
- Pipe wrench
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Instructions
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Turn off the washing machine and unplug the power cord from the outlet. Move the washer away from the back wall enough so that you can access the washer drainpipe. Soak up any water on the floor with towels or a floor mop. Do not allow water to get near the electrical outlet or washer power cord.
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Insert one end of a drain snake into the drainpipe. Do not unhook the washer drain hose from the pipe. Crank the handle on the drain snake clockwise to advance the snake down the line.
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Continue turning the drain snake handle until you feel the clog inside the washer drain pipe. Turn the handle counterclockwise one turn then clockwise one turn. You are basically chewing away at the clog when turning the handle. Once the water begins to drain, turn the handle counterclockwise to remove the snake from the drainpipe.
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Find the end of the main drainpipe if the snake did not remove the clog. The washer drainpipe typically connects near the end of the main drainpipe. Place a bucket under the end of the main drainpipe. Remove the cap on the end of the main drainpipe with a pipe wrench.
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Insert the end of the snake through the end of the pipe once the water stops draining into the bucket. Rotate the drain snake handle clockwise until you feel the clog in the main line. Work back and forth through the clog with the drain snake. Turn the handle counterclockwise slowly to retrieve the snake from the line. Sometimes if the clog is a solid object, it will stay attached to the end of the drain snake for quick removal.
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Thread the cap back onto the end of the main drain pipe, and tighten it with the pipe wrench. Push the washer back into position, and plug the power cord back into the wall socket. Turn the washer back on and observe the drain cycle. If the drain pipe overflows again, call a plumber to plumb the main drain professionally.
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