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How to empty a washing machine full of water

Do I need to drain the water myself?

First, let's figure out in which cases you will have to resort to emergency manual water drainage. Of course, the option "when the washing machine does not drain water on its own" sounds quite logical. But before that, it is worth checking if there are simpler ways to solve the problem.

  • First, check the washing mode you have selected. Some modes, such as wool or delicate, do not require draining the water after the cycle. In this case, you need to change the mode if it was selected incorrectly.
  • It would also be a good idea to take a good look at the drain hose. Sometimes it is pinched, twisted, or positioned incorrectly, and then changing its position will fix the problem.
  • A clogged drain filter also prevents water from draining. Step-by-step instructions on how to clean the filter can be found here.
  • If power surges are common in your home, one of these surges may have caused the wash cycle to stop early, preventing the water from draining completely. Restarting the cycle from where it stopped may help.
  • And finally, you can't confuse one of the most common problems with anything - excess foam, caused by adding too much detergent or choosing the wrong one. In addition to the fact that things will remain soapy and unpleasant to the touch even after rinsing, excessive foaming leads to difficulties in the drainage system.

Reasons for machine malfunction

Unfortunately, often the reasons for difficult draining are still hidden in the malfunctions of the washing machine itself. To understand the exact reason, diagnostics by an experienced technician will be required, but among the most common ones, the following can be distinguished:

  • The drain pump or its motor is out of order
  • The drain pump impeller broke
  • The pressure switch (water level sensor in the tank) is faulty
  • The wiring in the washing machine frayed
  • The washing machine control board is failing

To fix each of these problems, you will need the intervention of an experienced technician, but you can prepare for his visit in advance - this is what the manual water drain algorithm is for. Carrying out any work when there is water left in the washing machine threatens at least the flooding of the house, and at most - a short circuit and failure of the entire machine.

We can perform a preliminary diagnosis of the problem even at the stage of a phone call. To complete the repair faster, the technician will immediately bring the presumably necessary spare parts from our catalog, and the problem will be solved in one visit.

Ways to drain water

First of all, you should prepare for draining: disconnect the washing machine from the network, and also remove or isolate all electrical appliances near it; prepare in advance a container or two to collect water from the tank, as well as several rags that absorb liquid well, or large sponges.

Draining with a hose

This is the fastest and easiest way to remove water from a washing machine. All you need is a built-in drain hose, a larger basin and our instructions. The only downside to this method is that it is not suitable for some models of washing machines, since the drain hose is fixed inside the machine body with a special loop that prevents spontaneous drainage of water and the siphon effect.

To drain water using a hose, you will need:

  • Disconnect the hose from the back of the washing machine
  • Pull the end of the hose out of the drain
  • Lay the hose so that it is below the tank level along its entire length
  • Lower the end of the hose into the container

If you did everything correctly, the water should flow on its own.

Drain through filter

A rare model of a washing machine (usually old models with a very small load) is not equipped with a drain filter. It prevents debris and foreign objects from getting into the pump. The filter can be found behind the panel or a hatch at the very bottom of the washing machine. Opening them does not require any special knowledge or tools - the most that you can use is a regular screwdriver.

To drain water through a filter, you will need:

  • Open the hatch or remove the panel (you may have to pry it off with a screwdriver or unscrew a couple of bolts)
  • Tilt the washing machine slightly so that there is a small gap under the filter hole where you can place a container for water. It will be most convenient to lean the bulky machine against the wall. Some panels covering the filter have special grooves through which water flows where you need it. Such models do not need to be tilted - the container can be placed under them like this
  • Turn the filter handle counterclockwise about a quarter or a little more. Be careful not to damage the threads and filter cuff, otherwise they will have to be replaced. It is not necessary to remove the filter completely in order for water to flow

Be prepared for the fact that some of the water may still end up on the floor and prepare rags in advance.

Drainage through emergency hose

Some models of washing machines have a special small hose for manual draining. It is located next to the drain filter, behind the hatch or panel. Quite often, it is equipped with those models whose main drain hose is fixed to the machine body and is not suitable for manual draining.

To drain water through the emergency hose, you will need:

  • Open the hatch or remove the panel (similar to accessing the filter)
  • Pull out the hose and remove the plug from it
  • Direct the hose into the prepared container

With all the conveniences of this method, such as cleanliness and precise drainage, its main disadvantage is the long wait for the water to drain completely through a small diameter hose. Despite this, we strongly advise against leaving the water to drain unattended - the hose can jump out of the container and flood the entire floor, the basin with water can overflow, and all these troubles will take much longer to fix than it would take to monitor the drain.

Drainage through the hatch

Strictly speaking, this method can hardly be called a drain. And when using it, not all the water is removed. Rather, it is an emergency measure when there is so much water that it is impossible to open the hatch door - the water level in the drum is too high, and it threatens to splash out.

To drain water directly through the hatch, you will need:

  • Tilt the machine back slightly and lean it against the wall at an angle to prevent water from splashing out of the drum
  • Open the hatch door. After the washing machine is de-energized, it should unlock automatically. If this does not happen, read the instructions on how to open the door manually
  • Scoop out water from the drum using a small container (a mug or a ladle)

We recommend that you lay down rags or place a tray under the washing machine before opening the door. After scooping out the water, check to see if it has leaked under the far corner, closer to the wall. Excessive moisture can cause a variety of problems, from mold to short circuits.

Drainage through a branch pipe

A fairly complex and energy-consuming process, which involves disassembling the machine and some understanding of its structure. This method can hardly be called clean - as a rule, a lot of dirty water is poured out overnight, and you can't do without subsequent cleaning. The big plus is that often the problems with the drain are due to a clogged pipe, and by draining water from the washing machine, you can simultaneously correct the root cause of the situation.

To drain water through the pipe, you will need:

  • Remove the back wall of the washing machine
  • Find the pipe using our picture. You should look under the drum of the washing machine
  • Place a container under the pipe itself and put dry rags underneath to minimize the effects of the gushing stream of water
  • Remove the clamp that secures the pipe and disconnect the part
  • After draining the water, thoroughly rinse the pipe, check it for blockages, then return the part to its place

If the water does not flow after disconnecting the pipe, you can assume that you have found the cause of the problem. Remove the blockage and carefully secure the pipe with a clamp.

What to do next?

If the above methods did not help or there is no possibility to implement them, the most important thing to do is to de-energize the machine and exclude the presence of electrical appliances nearby. After that, immediately contact a washing machine service center - stagnant water has a rather unpleasant smell, absorbed into the rubber parts of the washing machine, and in the worst case, mold can settle in the cuffs and in the drum, which will not be so easy to eliminate. Remember: if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to seek help from a specialist. There is nothing shameful in handing over the task to someone who is absolutely confident in his abilities, without risking breaking anything and without wasting time and effort working with heavy equipment.