Should there always be water at bottom of washing machine?

Author: Lesley Huels  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

But if your washing machine is full of water or you can see water trapped in the bottom of your washer after a cycle, you may have a drainage problem. Here are a few common washing machine problems you could be dealing with: Your drain hose is kinked. Your lid mechanism is broken or not engaging fully.

Is water supposed to stay in the bottom of a washer?

Yes water is designed to always be in the lower hoses of the washer this water keeps the drain pump seals from drying out and the leaking water .

Why is there always water in my washing machine?

Typically the problem is either a lid switch or the drain pump and not the washer's drain water line. What can you do if the drain pump is broken? You may need to call an appliance repair service for help, and most can work on major brands such as Samsung, Whirlpool, Maytag, and more.

Is it normal to have water under washing machine?

Your washer will have a small amount of water in the hoses after it drains, this is normal. If it's not leaking and the water is below the drum (so the drum is dry between washes) it is fine.

Why does water stay in the seal of my washing machine?

If you have water remaining in the door seal (bellows) area of the washer, check under the door seal. Small items, dirt, and pet hair can get trapped in the bellows area. If there is a build-up, water can also build up and remain in that area. This area should be inspected and cleaned on a monthly basis.

Top-Load Washer Leaking Water — Top-Load Washing Machine Troubleshooting

What happens if water stays in washing machine?

But if your washing machine is full of water or you can see water trapped in the bottom of your washer after a cycle, you may have a drainage problem. Here are a few common washing machine problems you could be dealing with: Your drain hose is kinked. Your lid mechanism is broken or not engaging fully.

Why does water collect in the bottom of my washing machine?

There are a few reasons why water may be collecting under the wash drum, like a kinked or clogged drain hose or regularly overpacking your machine with laundry. These can cause obstructions and water will not be able to properly drain from the washer drum.

How do I get water out of the bottom of my washing machine?

If your top-loading washer did not drain by unblocking the drain hose or initiating drain prompts, siphon the water into buckets with a hose.
  1. Open the Lid. Open the washing machine lid. ...
  2. Unplug the Washer and Turn Off the Water. ...
  3. Remove the Clothing. ...
  4. Place Buckets. ...
  5. Set Up a Water Siphon. ...
  6. Drain the Washing Machine Drum.

Why is there water under my washing machine drum when not in use?

Washer Water Valve

If your Washer drips water or fills with water when it is not turned on, the water valve on the back of your Washer may have failed. This can cause water to leak from the water valve into your Washer tub when the Washer is turned off.

How full of water should a washing machine be?

The delicate or Hand Wash cycle will result in a deeper wash—the washer will fill about half full. The whites, Heavy Duty, Deep Water Wash, Power Wash, and Super Wash will also fill to about half full. Normal, Casual, and Wrinkle Control will fill to slightly less than 1/2 full.

Is water supposed to stay in the bottom of the dishwasher?

Some water (standing water), usually one to two cups, remaining in the bottom of the Dishwasher tub is normal. If dirty water is building up over time in the bottom of the Dishwasher and your installation does not have an air gap, make sure you have a high drain loop.

How do I get rid of standing water in my washing machine?

How to drain a washer filled with water
  1. Try the spin cycle. ...
  2. Turn off the power and water supply. ...
  3. Remove and check the drain hose. ...
  4. Check to see if it will drain with the help of gravity. ...
  5. Check your machine's inner workings. ...
  6. Check the drain pipe. ...
  7. Drain manually if needed. ...
  8. Call a service professional.

Should a washing machine fill with water?

The washer will partially fill with water and the drum will rotate during the initial fill. Once the initial fill is complete, the wash portion of the cycle will begin and the tub will fill will more water. At this time, the water in your washer should be about the same amount as the image below.

Why is my washing machine always having water in it?

A washing machine not draining can have multiple causes, including a clogged or jammed drain hose or a broken pump, lid switch, or belt.

How to tell if a washing machine drain pump is bad?

Common drain pump failure symptoms include: Incomplete cycles: Have you recently checked a wash load only to discover a full reservoir or soaked clothes? These issues indicate incomplete cycles, a hallmark of a failing drain pump. Stinky smells: You might detect rotten or decay odors wafting from your washing machine.

How to clean a washing machine drain hose without removing?

Use a funnel to pour about a quarter of a cup of baking soda into the pipe. Next, empty a baster full of vinegar into the drain hose. Top tip: If the blockage is not completely gone, you can repeat the above process. Once you have cleared any debris from the hose, pour hot water in to flush everything out.

Is a washer supposed to have water in the bottom?

To answer your question, yes, water always remains on the bottom of the washing machine. However, you should not be able to see any water inside the tub. Water remains on the bottom of the sump by the drain pump, but should not be visible to the consumer as that would be an indication of too much water left behind.

Why is my washer wet underneath?

Malfunctioning door seals are an extremely common reason washing machines leak from the bottom during the spin cycle. When dirt, excessive clothes, or defective components prevent front-loading washing machine doors from sealing properly, water starts leaking from the bottom.

How do you rebalance a washing machine drum?

Open the door and evenly distribute the load, avoiding heavy items on one side. If your machine has an adjustable weight balance, use it. If not, manually adjust the load. Start a spin cycle and observe for any wobbling or excessive vibration.

Why does my washing machine have water in the drum?

This can be caused by a clog or kink in the hose. Clogged Filters: Filters in your washing machine play a crucial role in trapping lint, debris, and foreign objects. If these filters are clogged, water drainage can be impeded, causing water to pool at the bottom of the drum.

How often should you drain your washing machine?

We recommend doing it once a month. If you're starting to get little black spots building up inside your door seal, or you can see sludge when you gently pull the door seal back, it's time for a wash.

How to get water out of a washing machine drum?

Turn off the power to the washing machine by unplugging it from the wall outlet or turning off the circuit breaker that controls the washer. Open the lid of the washing machine and use a cup or scoop to remove as much water as possible from the tub. Pour the water into a bucket or other container.

How long does a washing machine last?

Typically a washing machine lasts 10-13 years. Top-loading washers typically last a few years longer than their front-loading brethren. If you use a stacked washer/dryer combo, you may have to replace both if one starts acting up. Proper maintenance will likely help your washer last for over 15 years.

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