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How to fix washing machine not draining enough?

Recently moved house and attached drain hose to drilled out spigot as shown in pic. Front load washing machine does drain and clothes aren’t sopping wet but definitely not spinning enough water out. Is the hose attached to correct spigot? There is also a hole at top of sink which I assume i could also attach drain hose to ? I’ve already checked washing machine filter is clear.

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Jason

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @jadcar. We're pleased to have you join us.

Let me tag helpful member @TedBear to see if he can kick off this discussion for you in the absence of our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. expert @JacobZ, who is currently offline due to Queensland's wild weather.

Jason

Dave-1

Afternoon @jadcar

There shouldnt be a problem but you are going to a much smaller fitting. One reason for a washing machine not to fully empty could be that the water isnt getting a chance to exit in the time frame the machine is spinning due to that fitting size. The hole on top of the sink is the drain location for the washing machine usually. You could join the waste pipe from the washing machine to that pipe instead of it going to the top of the sink.

The other reason that a washing machine may not drain as well as it should could be because the filter of the washing machine (mines located at bottom front for instance)

Dave

jadcar

Thanks Dave. It’s not the filter I’ve already checked this. So do you think it would be better to plug up the spigot and try putting hose in hole at top of sink? I was going to try this but the drain cap I purchased at Bunnings is too small (it’s labelled dishwasher waste outlet cap)

Dave-1

Afternoon @jadcar

The washing machine hose looks like its long enough that it would fit into the sink as a test, why not run a cycle and see if the hose exiting into that waste hole at the back empties the washing machine? It would be one way to test before going to the hassel of switching things around.

Dave

JacobZ

Hi @jadcar,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

I think @Dave-1's advice of trying it through the drainage hole in the top of the laundry unit is the way to go.

You should also ensure the hose is not kinked, as this can restrict the flow considerably.

Give this a try and let us know how you go. I'm happy to assist further if required.

Jacob

Fatsquare

Make sure you have drill a hold where your washing machine connected.

TedBear

Hi @jadcar , I agree with the suggestions so far, but I'd suggest that you see if the machines drains ok by sitting the pipe on a floor drain if you have one. That way you can see that the water is coming out and at a reasonable rate. The other thing to recheck is that the spigot has been drilled out to the full diameter. My machine outlet hose looks like yours, goes to a spigot the same size and works just fine.

It seems odd that the spinner isn't drying the clothes properly. If it was draining that's the issue then you'd expect to see water backed up at bottom of the washing chamber when you open the machine.

If water isn't visible then it must be exiting enough for the clothes to have spun dry & it could be that the selected spin cycle is too short, or perhaps the machine is being overloaded?

jadcar

Thank you for the advice. I’ve tried draining through hole in sink and also by draining directly from drain hose to a bucket. The water flow looks fine. But clothes are still not as spun dry as they were prior to moving house. They used to be spun on 1600rpm to the point the towels would be on the sides of the drum. They no longer dry to this extent. Wondering if there’s a problem with the machines balance?

JacobZ

Hi @jadcar,

The balance of the machine can certainly impact its ability to function.

If you put a spirit level on the machine, is it perfectly level?

I know my washing machine has levelling feet that can be rotated to level the machine. Yours is likely the same.

If the machine is perfectly level, then you may need to contact the manufacturer of the machine for their guidance.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

Dave-1

Evening @jadcar

The last time my washing machine wouldnt spin the water out it turned out that one or two? of the supports on the rear of the washing machine had snapped and even tho it spun it didnt make it up to speed. As you have checked to make sure the flow is not impeded then I would think something is wrong with the machine as @JacobZ has suggested.

😕

Dave

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