Before you write off a washing machine that leaves the drum full of water, check the plumbing — more often than not, the machine is fine and the waste pipe is blocked. Here is how to tell.
The plumbing suspects
- Blocked or kinked drain hose — the hose from the machine is squashed behind it or clogged.
- Clogged standpipe / waste connection — lint and detergent scum build up where the machine drains.
- Blocked U-bend behind the machine or on a shared kitchen/laundry waste.
The tell-tale test
If water backs up at a nearby sink or gully when the machine drains, or you hear gurgling, the waste pipe is blocked — the machine is pumping faster than the blocked pipe can take. That is a plumbing job. If the machine is silent or shows a drain error and the waste pipe is clear, it is the machine's pump or internal filter.
The machine's own filter
Most machines have a pump filter (usually behind a small front panel) that traps coins, buttons and lint. Clearing it is a common fix — check your manual.
When to call us
If the waste line is blocked or backing up, we clear it mechanically and check the connection is correct. Recurring blockages on a shared waste may need a proper drain clean. Book a plumber.