Washing machines are designed to fill with water, agitate your clothes to clean them, and then drain. However, there are situations that can cause your washing machine to overflow and leak water onto the floor. The good news is that washing machine overflows are usually preventable if you understand what causes them and how to avoid those issues.
What Causes a Washing Machine to Overflow?
There are a few common causes of washing machine overflows:
Overloading
Putting too many clothes or bulky items like blankets or comforters can prevent your washing machine from having enough space for the water it needs. This added weight and volume of fabrics can also throw off the machine’s internal sensors.
Clogged Drainage
Lint, grease, hair and soap residue can build up over time and block the drain hose or pump. This prevents the dirty water from properly draining out between cycles.
Faulty Water Inlet Valve
If the water inlet valve stays open too long, water keeps flowing into the machine even when it’s full. This is usually caused by a worn out valve.
Sudsy Detergent
Too much detergent or using a type that causes excessive suds can cause an overflow. The extra suds interfere with the machine’s ability to sense the water levels properly.
Preventing Washing Machine Overflows
While overflows can happen unexpectedly, there are a few things you can do to avoid them:
Don’t Overload the Machine
Check your owner’s manual for the maximum load your washing machine can safely handle. Generally, only fill the drum about halfway with clothes and linens.
Clean Out Lint Traps Regularly
Clean the lint traps after each use and use a drain cleaning product once a month to remove any built up gunk.
Get Faulty Valves Repaired
If your machine seems to keep overfilling, have a technician inspect the water inlet valve for wear and replace it if needed.
Use Less Detergent
Only add the recommended amount indicated on detergent packages to prevent excess suds. Consider using a low-sudsing type of laundry soap.
What to Do if Your Washing Machine Overflows
If you discover your washing machine overflowing:
- Quickly move clothes in the drum to an empty container if possible.
- Turn off the machine and unplug it from the power source.
- Use towels to soak up as much water as possible from the floor.
- Allow the floor to fully dry to prevent mold or warping.
- Have a technician inspect your washer and fix the cause of the overflow.
The good news is that while washing machine overflows make a big mess, they’re largely preventable with proper machine loading, cleaning and maintenance. Paying attention to signs of a malfunctioning valve or drain can also reduce overflow risk. Just remain vigilant and act swiftly if you ever discover water leaking from your washer.
References
[1] Home Tips – What Causes a Washing Machine to Overflow
https://hometips.com/repair-fix/washing-machine-overflow.html
[2] Whirlpool – Avoid washing machine overflows
https://www.whirlpool.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/how-to-use/avoid-washing-machine-overflows.html
[3] This Old House – Washing Machine Overflow Causes and Cures
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/platform/amp/appliances/21306646/washing-machine-overflow-failure
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.