When your laundry drain clogs up, it could be a disaster if water spills on the floor. At the very least, you won't be able to use your washer and that is inconvenient. You might be able to clear a drain yourself if the clog is near the top, but you might need to call a plumber if you can't get the water flowing again. Here's how to clear a clogged drain from your washing machine.

Try To Fish The Clog Out From The Top

Disconnect your washer so you can take a look inside the drain. If you see a clog of lint, try to grab it and pull it out in the same way you clear a hair clog from the bathtub drain. Laundry clogs are usually a mix of soap scum, scale, grease from dirty clothing, and lint so you may be able to grab it if the biggest part of the clog is from lint. If you can't reach the clog, try straightening out a wire clothes hanger to fish the clog out. If you can't reach a clog or if you pull lint out but the drain is still clogged, then it's time to try using a snake.

Clear Out The Drain With A Snake

If you have a small DIY drain snake, you might clear the clog yourself if it isn't too deep into the pipe. If you can't get the clog out, then call a plumber who may try to clear the line with a commercial snake. One important thing to investigate is if the laundry drain is the only drain in your home that's clogged. If other drains are clogged too, that gives the plumber a clue as to the location of the clog and the best way to clear it. Besides using a snake, the plumber can use a water jet if indicated.

Consider Adding A Filter To Prevent Future Clogs

You can't do much to keep soap scum out of the drain, but a filter will control lint and other fine debris. Your washing machine might already have a filter in the machine to keep lint out of the pump, but you may want to install a mesh screen in the drain as added protection against lint causing clogs in the line.

While a laundry drain clog might not be a plumbing emergency, it's a major inconvenience when you need to get your laundry done. Clogs of any kind can be difficult to get rid of, so be prepared to call in a plumber if you can't dislodge the clog or don't feel comfortable taking apart the drain. Contact a service, like Quality Plumbing, for more assistance.