Last Updated on December 15, 2022
Water overflowing from the washing machine drain can be a serious and expensive problem. The overflow from a washing machine can damage the floors and walls of the kitchen and bathroom. Water tanks and washing machine systems can also be damaged by it.
Sometimes, this mess occurs, but we have no idea why. There’s one thing we need to know: why it’s happening and what we can do about it. Hence, let’s uncover it:
A blockage in the washing machine standpipe of the drain or a standpipe with a diameter that cannot handle the volume of water driven through it causes washing machine drains to frequently overflow. The issue is typically caused by a clog. The clog can be removed by either twisting the standpipe or by using a cleaning product that contain enzymes. This will allow the water from the pipes to drain normally.
Watch our blog on how to clean a smelly washing machine.
In this article, we’ll discuss what washing machine causes the drain to overflow and how we can prevent the drain pipes from overflowing.
Causes of overflow
The followings are the causes of washing machine overflow:
Low water supply
Many everyday occurrences, such as a washing machine overflow, can result in headaches of various kinds due to water pressure. The water inlet valve won’t receive the signal to close and stop the flow of water if there is insufficient water pressure in the pipes.
Because the plumbing in older homes wasn’t built to accommodate our larger modern appliances, this is a regular issue. Even in cases where an older home has adequate water pressure, the pressure issues may be caused by outdated and/or leaky pipes.
Clogging Or Blockage
Keep in mind that when water exits the clothes washing machine, it contains a variety of other materials as well. This water is being thrown away and is covered in grime, dirt, and, most significantly, soap scum.
With continued use, the waste builds up and eventually causes the water passage to slow down. And you’ll soon observe that it will begin to create reverse pressure, causing the dumped water to flow in the opposite direction. But don’t panic; if you take preventative steps, a blocked or clogged drain pipe can be avoided.
Absent P-trap
The P-trap is meant to prevent sewer odors from entering the home through the pipe, but it also facilitates the flow of water through the pipe. Without a P-trap, the water may move through somewhat more slowly, which could result in a backup.
How to fix the washing machine drain overflow?
The worst plumbing issue one may ever have, is the drain overflow of the washing machine. Here’s what he can do if it does:
Measure the diameter
Use a tape measure to determine the drain pipe’s diameter or check the pipe’s side for the diameter information. The washer cannot be drained if the pipe, which is typically found in older homes and has a diameter of 1-1/2 inches. Put in a 2-inch pipe in its place.
Pull out the hose
Pull the washing machine’s flexible hose out of the drainpipe. Replace the drainpipe with one that has a wider diameter if there is less than a 1/2 inch difference in diameter between the hose and the pipe.
Unclog the drain pipe
The drain behind the washing machine can be unclogged using a few different techniques. The approaches vary according to the clog’s root cause. The use of an auger, chemicals and natural home solutions like hot water are common techniques.
Reattach Washing Machine Drain
A quick “drain test” is one of the greatest ways to ensure the drain is operating properly. This might assist in identifying problems before they become more serious. It only requires to flush a cup of water down the drain to check for leaks. If you detect any, these are warning signals that the drain might be clogged, in which case you need to get in touch with a plumbing professional.
6 ways to Prevent Drain Pipe from Overflowing
If one wants to prevent the washing machine from overflowing, the following ways will be helpful for sure:
Use hot water and baking soda
Try once in a while throwing a full kettle of boiling water and a cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water down the drain next, then stop the drain with a drain plug. Before pouring another full kettle of boiling water coming down from the drain, let that sit for about 10 minutes.
Check for proper hose and pipe clearance
The discharge hose and drain pipe need to be separated by at least half an inch. This space permits the necessary drainage-related ventilation.
Using a drain snake
An existing clog can be manually removed by using a drain snake. A long, flexible wire known as a drain snake is used to clear obstructions from drain pipes. Drain snakes are very helpful for removing extra filth from the drain pipes and are relatively simple to detect.
Once you encounter any resistance, you have successfully inserted the drain snake within the washing machine drain pipe. The drain snake is then turned while being slightly pulled and pushed to make sure that any buildup inside the pipe is removed.
The Best Way to Use a Drain Snake:
- To release it into the pipe, insert one end of it into the drain opening and spin the drum’s handle.
- After encountering resistance, keep driving the snake’s head deeper and deeper into the pipe.
- Until you feel the clog release, rotate the snake either clockwise or counterclockwise.
- To make sure the pipe is clear and can drain, remove the snake from the drain and run another drain cycle.
Buy a front-loading washer
Front-loaders use significantly less water than top-loaders, therefore they may not overflow the pipes. With a front loader, the drain never overflows if it is unclogged.
Use laundry sink
Consider purchasing a laundry sink. You can use a lint catcher with mesh style at the end of the washing machine drain line if you drain from the washing machine into the laundry sink. The lint trap will assist in preventing textiles, lint, hair, and other debris from entering the drain pipe. The catcher of the lint needs to be watched carefully and cleaned frequently because it will eventually start to clog on its own and cause a whole new set of issues.
Getting help from a plumber
You could be better off hiring a plumber to complete the job if you’re scared to try a hand at plumbing. Typically, a plumber will be called to clear the drain and get rid of any obstructions that are to blame for the overflow. However, even for simple fixes, hiring a plumber might be more expensive than doing it yourself, even when the results are the same.
Wrapping Up
To stem the flow of water from the washing machine, turn it off immediately if it is overflowing. Secondly, make sure you clean up the water as soon as possible to avoid extensive water damage to your baseboards, walls, and flooring. The best way to dry out a wet area is by using a fan or dehumidifier.
The discharge hose may have become detached from the drain pipe. Check that it is still inserted into it before calling a plumber.
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