The blocked filter is the number one cause of "my washer won't drain." It is a gross but simple job. Arm yourself with a towel, a screwdriver, and a strong stomach—you might just save yourself a $150 service call.

Few household sounds are as disheartening as the thud of a washing machine finishing its cycle, only to open the door and find your clothes sitting in a tepid puddle of murky, soapy water. Before you call a costly repair technician, there is a high probability that the culprit is a simple, often-neglected component: the drain filter.

When a filter is blocked, the drainage hose leading to the pump is often full of stagnant water. The moment you unscrew the filter cap, gravity takes over. If you haven't prepared, you will flood your kitchen or laundry room with up to a gallon of dirty, smelly, gray water. Safety first: Disconnect the washing machine from the power outlet. You are working near water and electricity.