Can a Bad Washing Machine Pump Make Water Spill Over the Top?

Broken Pump

• Most washing machine pumps have a pulley mechanism with an arm that moves up and down to force water from the washtub. If the pulley mechanism freezes from wear, the pump won’t remove water from the washtub and drain it. Unless the washing machine senses a problem and shuts off, water can spill over its top when more water is added during the rinse cycle. Contact a washing machine repair specialist to inspect the pump and replace it if needed.

Blocked Pump

• It’s possible that the pump is blocked by a wayward piece of clothing and can’t usher out water, which can cause water to overflow when the washer begins the rinse cycle and adds more water to an already water-filled washtub. Manually drain water from the washer. There should be a hose or drain pipe behind a flap at the rear of your washer, which you can use to drain the tub. Pop open the control panel with a crowbar to reveal a set of screws. Unscrew the screws and lift off the washer’s top cover. Remove the drain hose that attaches both to the tub and the drain outlet or opening. Reach into the opening for the clothing item and remove it to unblock the pump.

Drain Hose Length Exceeds Pump’s Power

• If your washing machine is constantly spilling water over its top, the drain hose might be too long. For example, GE full-size residential washing machine pumps will pump water no more than 8 feet, and compact washing machines can pump no farther than 5 feet. If your washing machine’s drain hose is longer than the distance that a pump can effectively drive out water, shorten it. In general, the shorter the hose, the more pumping power it will have and the less chance of your washer overflowing due to drainage issues.

Faulty Water Valve

• Sometimes it’s not a bad pump but a broken water valve seal that causes water to spill over the top of a washing machine. If the seal breaks, water will continue filling the washer no matter where it is in the cycle. The only way to stop water from entering the tub is to shut off the washer’s main water supply valve on the wall behind the machine. Contact a washing machine specialist to examine the valve and replace its seal if necessary.