The culprit? In many cases, it’s a .
Take the hose outside or to a utility sink. Stick a garden hose into one end and turn the water on full blast. If the water shoots out the other end freely, you’re done. If it backs up or trickles slowly, you have a deeper clog.
Place a low bucket under the connection point. Carefully loosen the clamp (use pliers) and pull the hose off the back of the machine. Water will pour out. This is normal, and yes, it’s gross. Let it drain into the bucket.
Before you panic and call an expensive plumber, take a deep breath. This is one of the most common (and easiest) appliance problems to fix yourself.
You know that sinking feeling: You walk past the laundry room mid-cycle and hear a strange gurgling sound. Or worse, you see a puddle of dirty, sudsy water creeping across the floor.
Just remember: , have your bucket ready, and don’t be afraid to get your hands a little soapy.
Look inside the end of the hose with a flashlight. Often, the clog is right at the mouth—a wad of lint, a bobby pin, or a tiny sock. Use your fingers or needle-nose pliers to pull it out.