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Enlightening Facts and Illuminating Ideas About Electricity


About Me

Enlightening Facts and Illuminating Ideas About Electricity

Want to learn about electricity? Want to know how to handle simple repairs? Want ideas for redesigning an electrical system? Curious about what's new in the world of electrical products? If so, you need to explore my blog. Hi, my name is Tori (short for Victoria), and I am fascinated with all aspects of repair, construction and renovation, but in particular, electrical work fascinates me. This blog is going to be full of tips, ideas and information. Before you start reading, let me tell you a bit about myself. I am the mum of two boys with a little girl on the way. I have a supportive partner, and together we restored an old home. It's hectic but amazing. Enjoy this blog!

Appliance Repairs Guide: 2 Ways to Clear a Blockage in Your Washing Machine

If your washing machine has suddenly stopped draining water, you may be thinking of calling out an appliance repairs person to remedy the problem. Chances are it's probably a sock or a buildup of lint that is clogging the drain pipe, stopping water from exiting the machine. Before reaching for the phone, take a look at these 2 areas to see if you can locate the obstacle and save a few bucks.

Check the Coin Trap

It's not uncommon for a stray sock to find its way out of the drum and into the piping that drains water from the machine. It's also common for lint deposits to build up and cause a blockage. The first place to check is the coin trap. Many machines have one of these located at the front, usually in one of the bottom corners. It's generally easy to get into this—if you're not sure how to, consult your machine's instruction booklet. The booklet will tell you where the coin trap is and guide you on how to remove the blockage. 

The External Drain Hose

If you've checked and cleaned the coin trap and found nothing or your machine doesn't have one, the next place to check is the external drain pipe. This is a flexible pipe that comes from the back of the machine and fits into the sewage drain outlet. 

Step 1:

Bail out any water that is standing in the drum of the machine. You'll need to use a tumbler to scoop it out by hand.

Step 2:

Unplug the washing machine and place the plug on top of it to keep it away from water. Next, turn off the water supply to your washer. Pull the machine out of its enclosure so that you can access the back where the drain hose is located.

Step 3:

The drain hose might be attached using a clip or screwed on. You may need pliers to loosen this so that it's easy to remove from the drain outlet connection. You'll want to have a bowl and some old towels to collect any water that is trapped in the hose.

Step 4:

Check the pipe thoroughly for any stray socks or a buildup of lint. Remove any obstacles present and take the opportunity to clean it by running water through it over the sink.

Step 5:

Be sure to tighten the hose completely when you reattach it to the machine. You don't want any leaks when you next use the washer. Give it a tug to make sure it stays in place when you're done.

If you have successfully removed the blockage, the machine can be placed back in its location and you can run a load to check that the water is now draining.