Why doesn't my washing machine drain properly?

Question

This is my second machine that has same problem, the softener section in the drawer never empties of water. The machine is pushed into a fitted kitchen unit, but is half out as water started backing up the sink (where draining bit is connected to) and the drum filled with sink water! Pulling it out and leaving it there has worked (I assumed drains were blocked and have done them with caustic soda a few times which helped.) Someone said I need a little thing to hold the drainage pipe up in the air but that seems like it wouldn't be the whole reason?? I rent the house and just had baby so do not want to have to call a plumber for something which I might be able to solve myself! Sorry if it's a bit garbled, Ill re-phrase it if it becomes clear from answers that Im not explaining well, thanks vic

Answer 1

It sounds like the trap under the sink is partly blocked as the w/m water backing up into the sink suggests that the w/m is discharging ok. Although  the sink probably drains ok the w/m puts out water faster than the trap can take it.

Also if your caustic soda worked at all you are on the right track. (Please be careful with that stuff, it can damage skin, eyes and lungs in an instant).

Its a messy job but you need to dismantle the trap and dig out as much muck as possible, especially in the outgoing pipe which will probably have stuff in it. Pour a little disinfectant in first to kill any smells! Use a bit of hook shaped bendy wire and a bucket under the trap before you take it apart. Use washing up liquid to aid reassembly.

Also, your softener dispenser may need a good scrub out in hot water (they normally pull right out) as old softener tends to block the little syphon device in it. Good luck.

Answer 2

do you have a pet dog hairs block the filters up something cronic?

Answer 3

Blocked, kink in drain hose, bad pump?

Answer 4

COULD HAVE A BLOCKAGE.

Answer 5

A washing machine drain should have an air gap in it to preven backflow of water from the plumbing drain back into the washer. This is usually accomplished by having the drain line from the washer going to a u-shaped attachment that hangs down into a drain pipe that is higher than the washer itself. If the drain line doesn't go higher than the washer, it will gravity drain the washer before the wash cycle is done. And, the drain outlet (the u-shaped part) cannot be connected directly to the drain line - It has to discharge the water into the top of an open drain pipe. This is the air gap that prevents the water from backflushing into the washer.