Why do washers flood

If the leak is originating from the pump—usually near the pulley seal—and not other nearby clamps or hoses, the pump will need to be replaced.

Be sure to disconnect power to the washing machine before attempting to repair. Seals: On front-load washers, door boot seals are used to seal the area between the door and outer tub. Normal wear and tear can cause these rubber seals to crack or rip.

If your washer seems to be leaking near the door area, check for any signs of damage or dirt build-up that could be preventing a tight seal to the door. For top-loading machines, tub seals are used to keep water from leaking where the basket shaft enters the tub. In addition, avoid immediately pulling the power plug in the back of the washer because its cord could be exposed to standing water, creating a potential for electric shock.

Also, find firm footing to avoid slipping on the flooded floor, especially if sudsy detergent is mixed with the dirty water. Mop or wipe up the floodwater after you've cut the power to the washer. Removing wet laundry differs by washer type.

If you have a conventional top-loader, simply lift the lid. With a high-efficiency top-loader or front-loader, you may have to perform a minor technical procedure to get the airtight door to unlock, such as turning the timer knob to another position. Refer to your owner's manual for model-specific instructions. Wear rubber gloves to work with standing hot water in the tub or drum.

Remove your waterlogged laundry, place the items in a bucket and wring them out over a sink in the laundry room or kitchen. This is an intense process, but it also helps to manually remove some of the standing water from washer, which is helpful for drainage problems. Conventional top-loaders and high-efficiency washers generally use the same water supply and draining principles.

Carefully pull the washer away from the back wall to gain access to its hoses. Look for dripping or leaking water from the hose connections as well as puddles on the floor. Tighten the connection for the hot water and cold water supply hoses that run from the back of the washer to the faucet on the laundry room wall.

In addition, ensure that the single drain hose, usually located in the center of the two water supply hoses, is secured in place on both ends. Secondly, it may help stop the flood or overflow as well. However, you should avoid shutting it off or canceling the load. If you do this, most washers will actually drain the water which can lead to an even bigger problem.

Remove Standing Water Next, you need to start cleaning up all the water. If there is less than an inch of water, you can use towels or even a mop to soak up as much water as possible. Wring them out in a bucket until you know what caused the overflow. If the water is more than an inch deep, it will be much faster to pump out the water. Pump the water outside, then use towels to clean up any puddles that remain. You can also suck up the water with a wet-dry vacuum. This will also help pull water out of walls and carpeting as well.

Remove Damaged Items Once your home is dry, take a look at the damage and see what needs to get thrown away. Dry Out the Flooded Area After getting rid of the water, you need to dry out your home. Empty the Washing Machine While the fans are drying out your home, you can start to empty your washing machine.

Disinfect and Deodorize Your Home Although unlikely, water from your washing machine may contain mold or bacteria that could cause problems in the future. Restore and Rebuild the Damaged Area After disinfecting, you can restore the damaged area. While the exact process will depend on the damage, it could mean fixing your walls or replacing carpeting. If you only have a little damage, it might only mean painting. Repair or Replace Your Washing Machine Depending on the cause of the washing machine flood or overflow, you may need to repair or even replace it.

What Causes a Washer Overflow or Flood? Water Supply Hoses. Tub Seal. Water Level Switch. Washing machines have a water level switch that controls the water level inside the unit. Although it is designed to last, the water level switch will eventually wear out and cause malfunctions.

If your washing machine overflows when filling, the water level switch is usually the cause. Water level switch problems are more common in top-loading machines.

Door Latch. Unfortunately, the door latch may loosen over time. If this happens, water and soap can leak through the door. Also, this is more likely if you use too much soap or overload your washer with clothes. Door Seal. Front loading washing machines also have a gasket on the door that creates a waterproof seal and keeps water inside.

Water can leak from your washing machines if the door seal is misaligned or damaged. As with the door latch, overloading with clothes or using too much soap increases the chances of a flood or leak. Drain Pump. The drain pump empties water from the washtub into the drain line during the wash cycle.

These seals get brittle with age and can cause your washing machine to leak or flood if they fail. Drain Line. Here are a few easy ways to prevent your washing machine from flooding and overflowing. Avoid Overloading With Clothes — Overloading your washing machine with clothes will overwork the unit. This can cause a flood by breaking the drain pump or weakening seals. Use a Lint Trap — If your washing machine drains to a utility sink, install a lint trap on the drain line.

This will keep lint from blocking the drain and causing an overflow. Check the Hoses — Your washing machine usually has two water supply hoses. Check that hoses are not dried out or worn. Tighten the connections regularly and look for signs of corrosion. Check the Drain Line — A third, larger hose allows dirty water to drain from your washing machine.

This can get clogged by lint or even get disconnected from the drain.