During normal operation, the washing machine draws and drains water several times per cycle – at least twice: once for washing and once for rinsing. The exact amount depends on the selected program and its duration. However, it’s absolutely abnormal if your machine suddenly starts to “give in” and constantly fills with water.
This excessive “appetite” of your washing machine could indicate either improper installation or a malfunction. In either case, the problem requires fixing. Otherwise, at the very least, you’ll get poor-quality washing results with excessive water consumption; at the very worst, you could completely ruin the washing machine, flooding your neighbors. It’s a bleak prospect, you’ll agree.
So, if your washing machine has just been installed, it could be due to an improper connection to the sewer system. When the drain hose is below the level of the drum, water flows into the sewer by gravity. The machine “realizes” there’s not enough water and begins to fill again. In turn, a new portion of water leaves the same way…
How to check if your washing machine is connected correctly
When properly connected, the drain hose should be higher than the drum. It’s typically attached to either a trap or a drain pipe, raising it 50-60 cm from the floor. So, if you feel like your newly installed machine is constantly filling with water, be sure to check the drain level.
However, it’s possible that the connection point is impossible to see due to a bathtub screen, cabinet, wall ledge, etc. In this case, perform a simple test: start the washing machine and wait until the drum fills with water. Then, turn on the drain and press “Pause” as the water level decreases. Now carefully monitor the remaining water level: if the drain stops during the pause, everything is normal. If the water continues to decrease (this is visible and sometimes audible by the characteristic gurgling sound in the pipes), there is a problem with the connection. At this point, we recommend postponing the wash cycle and calling a technician to properly install the washing machine.
If you’ve had your washing machine for ages and it’s been working fine for that long, but it suddenly starts requiring excessive amounts of water, then the problem is internal. Something’s broken. In this case, unplug the machine, turn off the water supply hose, and drain the water using the optional drain filter.
The main faults that cause a washing machine to constantly fill and drain water
Below, we’ll look at the main issues that can cause your washing machine to consume too much water. Please note that accurate diagnostics and subsequent repairs require specialized equipment! Therefore, we do not recommend attempting this yourself.
Water level sensor malfunction
It determines how much water is in the tank and whether the inlet valve needs to be activated. The pressure switch determines the machine’s full state based on the water column pressure. Scale, sediment, and other small debris can clog the sensor’s pressure tube, causing the pressure switch to provide incorrect information to the machine’s “brain.” Furthermore, the pressure switch’s valves and hoses can malfunction: if there is a blockage or air leak, the sensor will also provide erroneous data.
SYMPTOMS
The machine constantly fills and drains water.
HOW TO FIX
A thorough diagnosis and repair or replacement of the water level sensor is required.
Intake valve failure
The inlet valve, which controls the water supply, is not working properly. It’s possible the valve is faulty and isn’t shutting off the water at all, or perhaps the membrane is weakened, causing water to leak even when it’s closed.
SYMPTOMS
The washing machine constantly refills with water.
HOW TO FIX
The valve needs to be replaced.
Finally, I’d like to address those hoping for the traditional Russian “maybe it’ll pass.” Using a washing machine that constantly fills and drains water isn’t just fraught with exorbitant water bills. The main danger is that it places an excessive load on the machine: the heating element, which constantly reheats the newly incoming water, suffers first. As a result, scale buildup increases, damaging both the heating elements and other components. But the worst thing is that sometimes the overflow protection system in washing machines doesn’t work, and then a localized flood is unavoidable.
So, please, don’t use faulty equipment! If you notice any problems, call a technician:
RemBytTech specialists provide free diagnostics and are ready to visit you at any time convenient for you – weekday evenings or weekends. After examining your appliance, the technician will determine the exact cause of the problem and, if necessary, perform repairs. Afterward, you can use your washing machine again without any worries.
