Your Washing Machine Is Not Draining Water Completely

If your washing machine is no longer draining the water at the end of the cycle, there are several possible causes for this. The most common cause is due to something getting stuck in the drainage system. You must therefore check each of these things to find the source of the problem.

THE POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:

• The drain filter is clogged

• The drain pipe is bent or clogged

• The drain hose is clogged

• The drain pump is blocked

• The solenoid valve is faulty

• Too much foam when draining

• The drive belt is broken

• Water is coming back up from your pipes

• The wrong programme has been activated

The drain filter is blocked by something

The drain filter was designed for retrieving small objects (coins, stones, shirt buttons, etc.) which could get to the drain pump impeller. Your washing machine can't drain if the filter is clogged or obstructed. It is very easy to check that the filter isn't full of residue and small items. The filter is usually to be found on the front of your washing machine, right at the bottom. After you've placed an absorbent cloth on the floor, unscrew the cap and clean the filter. If it's damaged, replace it as soon as possible to avoid damaging the drain pump.

The drain pipe is bent or clogged

The water in your washing machine is drained by the drain pipe that is connected to your plumbing. If the drain pipe is bent or very clogged up, your washing machine won't drain as usual. Check the drain pipe carefully and replace it if it is showing signs of wear and tear.

The drain hose is clogged

The drain hose, which runs from your washing machine's tub to the drain pump, may be clogged with dirt or blocked. This hose is usually accordion-shaped and can be blocked by a coin or those infamous disappearing socks! If the pump is working properly and your drain filter is clean, you should take the hose off and clean it. If it's damaged then replace it.

The drain pump is blocked

The drain pump drains the water from your washing machine. If the drain pump's impellers are blocked by a small object (coin, socks, etc.), your washing machine won't be able to drain the water any more. If the water still doesn't drain after you've cleaned the drain hose and filter, then check that nothing is blocking the drain pump's impellers. The turbine should turn normally (some pumps rotate in quarter turns due to the positive and negative poles of the magnets). Make sure you don't cut yourself on any small objects that may be stuck in the cavity (such as safety pins for example). If the pump isn't blocked, but is shuddering and not draining, you need to replace it.

The solenoid valve isn't switching off properly any more

The solenoid valve acts as an electric tap. If it is full of dirt or defective, it may stay slightly turned on. This means that, at the end of the cycle, your washing machine will fill with water little by little. If your laundry is wet on the bottom and dry on the top at the end of a cycle, it is very likely that the solenoid valve is what is causing this. In cases like this, it must be replaced if the problem continues.

Too much foam when draining

La mousse est créée par le brassage du linge avec la lessive. Une trop grande quantité de mousse peut rendre difficile l’essorage et l’évacuation de l’eau de lavage. Si vous remarquez par le hublot qu’il y a une quantité importante de mousse lors d’un cycle, c’est peut-être que vous avez mis trop de lessive, ou alors que l’eau est trop douce. Si c’est le cas, réduisez votre quantité de lessive et privilégiez l’utilisation de lessive liquide.

The drive belt is broken

Your washing machine's drive belt enables the drum to turn. It links the motor's drive shaft to the drive pulley. If it is broken or has worked loose from where it should be, your laundry will not be spun. So when you take the laundry out, it will be soaked and there will still be water at the bottom of the drum. If this is the case, put the drive belt back where it should be or replace it.

Water is coming back up from your pipes

Depending on your plumbing, it may be the case that water is coming back up through the drain and into your washing machine. Check that the bend on the drain pipe is located 65cm from the ground (and set 10cm into the stand pipe) to avoid this kind of issue. Call a plumber if the problem continues.

The "full tub stop" option has been activated

Washing machine programmes are nowadays so sophisticated that it is easy to make a mistake now and then! Most washing machines have a button or programme called "full tub stop". This feature allows you to pause a cycle just before the draining stage that follows rinsing. The laundry remains soaking in the rinsing water. Check that this feature has not been activated.