Drainage Machine

Washing Machine Drain Clogged

If your washing machine drain is clogged, it can lead to water leaking onto your utility room floor. If this issue isn't addressed, the ongoing flooding can cause your utility room walls to begin rotting or mold to start growing. Because both of those problems can be quite costly to fix, it's important to take care of your clogged washing machine drain as soon as possible.

What Do You Need to Unclog a Washing Machine Drain?

There are several reasons your washing machine drain may be clogged. Cloth fragments from laundry are one cause. Coins that fall out of pants why they're being washed are another cause. A clog can also result from a general buildup of debris. Not only can a clog cause damage to your utility room, but if water isn't able to drain properly, it can cause your clothes to smell bad despite the fact that you just washed them. In order to fix this problem, you will need a pipe auger. You'll also need pliers and a screwdriver. To ensure you fully solve your problem, you will also need a:

How to Begin Unclogging Your Washing Machine Drain

Because washing machine drain clogs can be located deep within pipes, you will want to run an auger all the way through the drain. Many homeowners don't realize that in order to do this, they need to start at the plumbing vent on their roof. By positioning your auger at this height and then using it to work your way down, you will ensure that you don't accidentally miss the clog.

Once you've run the auger all the way down the plumbing vent, the next step to completely resolve your drainage issue is to take the drain hose off the washing machine. You can do so by unscrewing it from the back of the washing machine. The reason you don't want to skip this step is because it's not uncommon for buildup to occur in both the drain and hose.

How to Finish Clearing a Washing Machine Clog

After you remove the hose from your washing machine, you will want to soak it in warm water. The water should be mixed with one cup of bleach. While this solution should help break up most clogs, there's a chance that certain buildup will still remain. To remove any leftover debris, use a wire clothes hanger to push the debris out of the hose.

Once you've soaked and cleared the hose, you can put it back on the washing machine. After attaching it, you will want to put the other end in the drain. Make sure that this end goes all the way into the drain. Not putting the hose all the way in can cause a new set of leakage problems. When you finish securing the hose, you can run the washer with a mixture of bleach and hot water. This will eliminate any remaining particles with unpleasant odors and ensure your machine is back in its ideal condition.

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