We have important news for you: your washing machine can get clogged! It’s weird thinking about your washing machine as a finicky appliance like your drains or faucets, but in reality, it requires the same amount of upkeep as any other major component of your plumbing system.
People don’t usually get their washing machine serviced until they notice a problem. Even then, most homeowners opt to get their washing machine replaced! With such a large appliance, Bacon Plumbing Heating Air Electric believes it’s easier to keep it well-maintained than replace it before its time.
If you do encounter an issue, call us. We’ve seen all kinds of problems, from complete disasters to malfunctioning switches. Today, we’re filling you in on how to identify a clogged machine and what to do.
Is Your Machine Clogged?
Your washing machine won’t run properly if the drainpipe is clogged. The first thing you might notice with a problematic drain system is a drum that fails to empty. It will seem as though the washer paused mid-cycle, but really, the water has nowhere to go.
This is a common occurrence in homes that have gone years without having their washing machine serviced. Drain pipes can get clogged by excess soap scum, dirt, and grime from clothes, and even parts of clothing that make it into the drainage system.
We all know how grubby life can get. What isn’t as anticipated is the extent to which our washing machines are affected by everyday messes. Care for this major plumbing appliance should come first, but Bacon is here to help if you need an expert fix.
Clearing the Drain
If your system is backed up, you likely have a clog somewhere along the drain hose. The machine’s drain hose connects to the drainpipe on the back of the washing machine. You can check the drainpipe attached to the washer by unscrewing the piece of pipe. If this is where your clog originates, the process becomes much easier.
You can take a typical drain snake and pull out the debris, but make sure you have a bucket on hand to catch any water that hasn’t drained yet. The clog may be further down in the drain hose, though. You might need a longer drain snake for this type of clog; we recommend a drain auger or snake that comes with a rotating attachment.
With your snake, follow these steps to clear your drain hose:
Push the snake into the hose until you hit the clog.
Rotate the snake with the attachment to pick up any debris causing the clog.
Pull out the snake with the debris, rotating the attachment in the opposite direction.
Repeat until the water can run freely through the hose.
Once you’ve cleared the clog, you can attach your hose and pipe back to your machine for a smoother wash. The final step is to call Bacon to set up annual inspections for your plumbing system. We won’t let anything slip through the cracks, including your washing machine, so you won’t have to worry about a rogue clog ever again.
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