Clear things out by mixing equal parts of hot water and vinegar and pouring the mixture through the drain pipe. Wait half an hour, then reconnect the drain pipe, plug in your machine and run a wash cycle.
Boil at least 1 gallon of water and have it ready to go. Between the hoses where the machine hooks up to the water supply, you'll find the washing machine drain hose. Remove it from the drainpipe, and you'll be able to see directly down the pipe. Slowly and carefully pour the hot water down the pipe.
The drain probably is clogged but has a small opening letting some water through but your faucets can put more water out than the drain can handle so it eventually backs up and spills out the lowest point which is your washer drain point. Don't bother with pouring wonder chemicals down the drain.
For Minor Clogs
Now if hot water won't solve the problem, you may also use the popular duo, baking soda and vinegar. Pour a box of baking soda into the washing machine drain pipe. After that, follow through with 2 to 3 cups of vinegar. Plug the drain pipe immediately and let the fizzing reaction take place.
There are three recommended methods of unblocking a washing machine drain yourself. These are to use baking soda and vinegar, a chemical drain cleaner, or do it manually. You can also potentially fix the issue by straightening out the washing machine drain hose if it has become twisted.
Drano® Snake Plus Tool + Gel System was designed to unclog a kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, bathtub and even a laundry drain.
The fizzing reaction and gas created may help loosen some small blockages. However, it is not typically strong enough to break down larger clogs or remove hard-to-reach debris. As a result of the above facts, if you have a serious drain clog, using baking soda and vinegar is unlikely to be effective.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
First, make sure your machine is unplugged and turned off. Mix 1/3 cup baking soda with 1/3 cup vinegar (1:1 ratio), locate your drain pipe and pour the cleaner product into the drain. Let it sit for half an hour before flushing the pipe with water.
Washing machines overflow for a variety of reasons—the leading culprit, though, is a clog in the drain pipe. Lint and other debris come off of clothing during the wash cycle and are drained from the unit alongside the dirty water, potentially leading to clogs that can wreak havoc on your drain pipe.
A common reason for a washing machine not draining is a blockage in the drain hose. This could be due to lint, debris, or even small items of clothing becoming lodged within the hose. To check for blockages, remove the drain hose from the drain outlet and visually inspect it.
All you have to do is pour 1 cup or baking soda down your drain and then follow it with 1 cup of vinegar. After your mixture is in the drain, seal the top of the drain and wait for about an hour so your concoction can start breaking down any clogs. After about an hour, rinse your drain a few times with boiling water.
A malfunctioning water level switch, which controls the amount of water entering the machine, can cause the appliance to overfill and lead to standpipe overflow. A faulty timer can cause the machine to continue filling with water even when it should have stopped, which can also cause overflow.
Use a Lint Filter
This is why we always recommend attaching a lint filter to the end of the washing machine drain hose. You can find many different lint filters that are specifically designed to capture lint and prevent it from going down the drain.
Clear things out by mixing equal parts of hot water and vinegar and pouring the mixture through the drain pipe. Wait half an hour, then reconnect the drain pipe, plug in your machine and run a wash cycle.
Try pouring some baking soda down the pipe, and follow it up with some vinegar. Let that sit for about 10 minutes and then rinse with boiling water. Should clear out some of the gunk. You could always try some foaming pipe snake.
Plungers are good for food or organic material clogs. Or use an enzyme drain cleaner. Drain snakes are the best drain cleaner for hair clogs, whether the hair is natural or synthetic. If that doesn't work and the hair is natural, try a chemical drain opener.
While harmless for most metal and PVC pipes, prolonged exposure to the acidic nature of vinegar might corrode certain metals, like copper. PVC pipes, on the other hand, can withstand these substances without damage.
Pouring boiling water is quite risky as it might lead to a steam burn or scalding. Another thing to keep in mind is what type of material you are pouring in into. If you have a porcelain sink, it is likely to crack due to the heat. All in all, pouring boiling water down your drain will only cause issues down the road.
A blockage in your home's drain line is another common plumbing problem that can cause washing machine leaks. A good plumber can address the issue by cleaning out the drain line and inspecting all the other parts of your washer to ensure everything is in working order.
Usually, if the drain pump isn't working properly, you'll hear an unusual noise or notice leaking from the washing machine when it is running. If your pump is malfunctioning, you'll need to replace it yourself or call a professional to replace it for you.