How To Clean A Clogged Washer Drain Hose

The drain hose on a washing machine connects the drain pump to a stand pipe, a U-pipe under the sink, or another place for draining dirty water into the sewer. If your washer won't drain properly, the problem is sometimes an object blocking the drain hose, like a pair of underpants, a child's sock, or pieces of something that broke up in the washer.

Step 1

Unplug the washer and put the plug on top of the machine to keep it out of any spilled water.

Step 2

Take any wet clothes out of the washer and bail the water out of the drum with the bucket. The washer may be too heavy to move if it's full of water and wet clothing.

Step 3

Pull the washer out from the wall enough for you to get behind it.

Step 4

Remove the plate from the back of the washer by taking out all the screws. Different brands and models of washers vary in how many screws hold on the back plate, and not all models require removing the plate to get to the pump where the hose is attached.

Step 5

Locate the drain hose. Of the three hoses coming out of the back of the washer, the drain hose is the largest in diameter and is attached to a drain pipe instead of a faucet.

Step 6

Check the drain hose for kinks and bends. These are often the cause of a blocked or slow-running drain hose.

Step 7

Remove the drain hose from the washer by detaching it from the drain pump. You will need a screwdriver or a slide-lock wrench to open the clasp that holds the hose to the pump, depending on what type of clasp it is.

Step 8

Keep the bucket nearby to catch any water that comes out of the drain pump when you remove the hose.

Step 9

Remove the other end of the house from the pipe it drains into.

Step 10

Bend the clothes hanger open so you can use it to poke inside the hose. Push or pull out the material that's causing the blockage.

Step 11

Replace the hose and run the washer to check if it's clear.