Washing machines… They’re great when they work! When they break on the other hand, they can be quite the nightmare.
If your washing machine isn’t draining, you’re in the right place. We’ll cover the signs your washing machine may not be draining as well as the causes for this problem.
On top of this, we’ll have some helpful advice towards the end to help you make the right decisions.
Signs Your Washing Machine Isn’t Draining Properly
When it comes to this problem, the most common sign would be remaining waste water at the bottom of the drum after a cycle.
In addition to this, your machine may display an error code which when researched, may indicate a drainage problem.
It is important to note that sometimes, depending on the model and situation, your washing machine may not display an error code at all or have remaining water in the drum. If this is the case for you and you suspect that your machine is not draining, the problem may be very unsevere and usually, would mean there is a small blockage somewhere internally within the appliance.
What causes a washing machine to stop draining?
> Blockage: If your appliance is even slightly blocked, it can cause the machine to stop working properly. We recommend cleaning your filter at-least once a month to prevent a blockage from building up. If the filter is clear but the machine is still not draining, there may be a blockage somewhere deeper in the appliance.
> Broken Drainage Pump: If your appliance is not blocked at all, it may be that the drainage pump itself has failed. For most brands, this is relatively cheap to purchase and replace. If you have a Miele appliance, it can be relatively expensive. Nonetheless, a faulty drainage pump is a common problem and most appliance engineers will be able to help.
> Drain Hose Issue: Your drain hose carries all the waste water from the cycle to the outer drainage system. When there is a problem with the hose, as you can imagine, it can be a huge issue. If your appliance is freestanding, you can inspect the drainage hose yourself. The hose is located at the rear of the appliance. If your appliance is integrated, you may not be able to access the waste hose easily. Please do note that regardless of the appliance type, you should be very careful when pulling out your appliance. The waste hose is often quite short and can easily be damaged depending on how it is installed. As a reminder, always switch off the appliance from the mains when carrying out any work.
> Electrical Fault: In some rare cases, you may face a drainage problem even when your appliance is not blocked and the drainage pump is perfectly operational. This may be due to an electrical fault within the appliance. For this, it is best to consult a professional and this will require a full appliance diagnostic phase.
Is it worth repairing a washing machine that doesn’t drain?
The big question. Is it worth repairing this sort of problem? Usually, yes but, it would depend on what is causing the issue.
If the problem is caused by a blockage, that is often quite a cheap fix which does not require spare parts. On the other hand, if parts are required such as the drainage pump, as you might expect, it will cost more.
A new drainage pump will usually fall in the £30 to £60 range to buy from an online retailer. This does not include any labour fees. You can read our appliance repair costs guide if you’re interested in finding out more about appliance repair prices.
For other possible causes such as electrical issues within the appliance, it is best to consult a professional as such problems can often be very case by case specific.
Should you call a professional or try to do it yourself?
Whether you should call a professional or try to repair the appliance yourself will depend on the exact problem.
We always advise to first check the filter for a blockage. If the filter is blocked, simply unblock it and try to run the appliance. If the filter cover is stuck, it often means it is very heavily blocked. To unblock this, you will have to access the appliance from the bottom. In some cases, you will have to purchase a new filter cover.
If the problem is not a filter blockage, we usually recommend calling a professional. If you’re a hands-on person, you can try to investigate the appliance further such as the drainage pump and the drain hose.
As a safety reminder, always switch off the appliance from the mains when carrying out any work.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered signs your washing machine may not be draining and the causes. We have also offered some advice to help you make the right decisions.
As always, if you’re in-need of free advice over the phone, please call us. We are always happy to help and we may even be able to help you in-person.