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LockedWasher drain - high or low?

posted on September 30, 2009 at 03:58PM Inappropriate?

Where are the drain hookups usually located for washing machines?  Higher or lower than the spot where the drain hose connects to the machine?

The washer drain hookup in our house is over 3 feet off the ground, and more than six inches *above* the hose/machine connection.  The hose that came with our machine is quite a bit longer than it needs to be, so it appears that when the machine drains, the dirty water first travels down over 6 inches, then has to travel *up* over a foot, then a couple inches back down into the drain hole.  Two days after my last load of laundry, water is still sitting in the drain hose (I can shake it and hear water swish, just like I can hear water swish beneath the basket of the top loading machine when I manually turn the basket -- and yes, the lid has been left open the whole time).

We've had 4 sets of Sears techs out for washing machines (two installations and two repairs) since we've owned the house, and no one has mentioned it, but now I'm wondering whether water could be washing back from the hose (gravity) and if that could have anything to do with the amount of water still in the machine. 

We need a machine that doesn't have sitting water inside of it after it's done washing (and had a day or so to dry out).  I'm wondering if we need to hire a plumber to move the drain in order to make that happen completely.

replies: 7 latest post: February 15, 2010 at 11:03PM by GlassMagicCo
Displaying all 7 posts
posted on September 30, 2009 at 05:21PM
 

 The washer drain hook up in our home is about the same level as the one in your home. We bought our GE washing machine about 8 years ago, has been serviced only once -the technician replaced the electronic board that controls the programs- and we have not had problems again.

 

posted on September 30, 2009 at 05:30PM
 

It's normal for water to be left in the drain hose of any washing machine. It's physically impossible for a washing machine to blast all the water out of the line because there's no way to propel air with the force necessary to clear the line using the pump in the washer. Where your drain is has little bearing on proper function (as long as you're not sending the drain hose 12' vertically or something ridiculous like that).

Every washing machine, though, will have water left inside of it. No machine completely drains, even if the drain is set downward into the floor. Every washing machine should be kept open to dry, to prevent moldy mildewy gunk build-up, and every washing machine should be maintained with a cleansing product like Affresh or Washer Magic to get rid of detergent and fabric softener residues that can harbor bacteria.

posted on September 30, 2009 at 09:15PM
 

There is a counter balance ring, it is plastic and clamps to the top of the clothes basket. it is filled with a liquid substance that wont freeze and crack if the washer is in cold areas or unheated warehouses, it will slosh when you rock the tub, some front loaders also have the balance ring at the front of the basket.

posted on September 30, 2009 at 10:10PM
 

Someone else had also made mention of this balance ring on another thread regarding this question. We just had this demonstrated to us at the training event, but I'm afraid I forgot it. :) Thanks for the reminder.

posted on October 04, 2009 at 01:48AM
 

Your setup is normal.

posted on October 04, 2009 at 07:18AM
 

The owners manual that came with my new LG 3001 washer says the drain can be as high as 96 inches above the base of the washer.

When I got rid of my old Speed Queen washer, I thought I had drained all the water out of it by holding the drain hose to the floor, but more came out anyway after it was jostled around and carried up from my basement.

posted on February 15, 2010 at 11:03PM
 

The drain has to be higher then the washer drum.  If the the drain is lower then the drum or full water level in the drum it will simply drain right through the machine and never fill up.  There is no valve to keep the water in the drum until the spin/drain cycle.  The water is evacuated by centrifical force and or an actual water pump that engages during this cycle.  In most cases the internal drain hose which connects the pump or drum drain line to the rear of the machine where you connect your external drain hose to has a flap.  The pump or centrifical force of the drum forces the flap open allowing water to flow out.  When emptied the flap keeps the water from coming back into the drum or pump.  While this in deed will allow water to stand in the drain hose there should not be any in the drum or anywhere back from the pump.  If water stays in the drum this flap may be broken or breached. 

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