It is hard to overestimate how much the modern plumbing industry does to support our quality of life. Maybe that is why people spend over $125 billion on the services of plumbers every year in the United States. On top of that, more than 537,000 people in the country work in the plumbing industry.
As valuable as the services of plumbers are, people might not need them as much if they knew how to clean clogged washing machine drain pipe messes up on their own.
Trying to manage this problem without a plumber might seem intimidating, but it may be easier than you think. Although you still might need the help of a plumber for a serious clog, it is worth trying a few simple solutions on your own first. Read on to learn all about how to clean a clogged washing machine drain pipe!
Why Do Washing Machine Pipes Get Clogged?
So why does your washing machine end up with clogged pipes in the first place? Many people are surprised by what leads to washing machine drain pipe clogs. For example, soap residue is sometimes responsible for these clogs.
When you use your washing machine, the detergent you use goes down the drain pipe, leaving a thin residue behind. However, after running your washing machine hundreds of times, this thin residue can become thicker and more robust. At some point, it can even cause a clog.
In other cases, it is actually the dirt on your clothes that ends up clogging your washing machine drain pipe. After all, any dirt or grease on your clothes has to go down the pipe during the washing process. Although that might not seem like much at first, it can lead to a clog when it builds up enough just as happens with soap residue.
On the other hand, you might find that your dryer has allowed some lint to get into your drain pipe. Dryer lint is highly absorbent and can do an excellent job of clogging up your drain pipes if it gets inside.
However, there is also a good chance that your drain pipe is malfunctioning if you find that it has developed a clog.
How to Know if You Have Clogged Pipes
But how can you tell if you have a clogged drain pipe? Several signs of a clogged drain pipe are easy to recognize. However, other problems with your washing machine can cause similar symptoms, so identifying your problem is not always easy.
For example, you might find that your washing machine has leaked water all around it on the floor. Clogged drain pipes can cause this problem, but so can washing machine malfunctions.
You might try running an empty load of laundry and observing the process carefully. You may find that there are no leaks when the water is entering your washing machine and everything is spinning around.
However, if your leak starts as soon as the water attempts to drain out through your pipe, that can indicate that the problem is with your pipes rather than your washing machine
Different Ways to Clean Out Clogs
The good news is that there are some quick and easy solutions that can help you remove drain clog problems. You can try one or more of these before deciding whether or not you should call a professional plumber for help.
Baking Soda
You can start by using hot water and baking soda. To use this technique, you will first unplug your washing machine and move it away from your drain. You will then need to locate the washing machine drain hose, using your user’s manual if necessary.
Then remove the hose from the drain pipe. Pour about 1 cup of boiling water carefully into the hose. Make sure that you wear protective gloves as you do this. Once you have poured this water down the hose, you can follow up with about one cup of baking soda and then pour everything in the pipe down the drain.
You can repeat this process several times if the first iteration does not solve your clog. You can also finish up by pouring a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water down the drain.
Drain Cleaner
On the other hand, using a simple drain cleaner can often clear out a washing machine drain pipe clog all by itself. Here, you will follow a similar process, removing the drain hose. However, you will then pour the drain cleaner straight into the drain rather than pouring it into the pipe.
Although you don’t have to be worried about boiling water for this technique, you should still wear protective gloves to avoid getting drain cleaner on your hands. It is also safest if you wear protective eyewear when working with drain cleaner.
Drain Snake
If neither of these techniques works, you can try snaking the drain instead. In fact, there is a good chance that this is how a plumber will try to solve your problem if you hire one. You can find a decent drain snake for around $30.
Then, all you need to do is feed it down the drain and keep going until you find some resistance you can clear out with your snake. If none of these techniques work, you might need the help of a professional plumber after all.
Know How to Clean Clogged Washing Machine Drain Pipe Messes
We hope learning about how to clean clogged washing machine drain pipe messes has been helpful for you. Many people despair when they encounter a clogged washing machine drain pipe and imagine they will have to pay huge amounts of money to fix it. Although you may need the help of the professionals, you might also be able to handle this problem on your own.
To learn more about how you can find professional plumbing help when you do need it, contact us here at any time!
