It was Thursday night and my fiance and I were sitting there watching some TV. In the utility closet we could hear the washing machine and dryer going. Something didn’t sound right though. The washing machine seem to be stalling on the spin cycle. When I opened the lid the tub was filled with water, this didn’t seem right to me. I wondered if the motor was broken but figured that the water in the tub was probably preventing the washing machine from spinning up. The question then became why wasn’t the tub draining. We thought maybe the water pump was broken which had us pretty worried but then a realization that it might just be clogged. The previous day we had washed a bathroom floor mat and a bunch of “fluff” came off and maybe that’s what was keeping the washing machine from draining.
Should we bring in a professional repair man?
This caused some debate. We really wanted it fixed and we figured it would be pretty easy to repair and relatively cheap, we hoped. We were also concerned that I could break it even more which would cost us even more to repair. However our biggest worry was due to the fact that this is a condo and it isn’t exactly an ideal working environment. We didn’t want to cause any physical damage to our hardwood floor. Ultimately our frugalness won out and it was decided that with the power of the internet I would give it a try.
Fixing the problem
We started by emptying the washing machine by hand. We can’t get all the water out but that’s fine. I pull out the washing machine and undo the drainage pipe, making sure to capture some of the remaining water. After cleaning the pipe it looks like it wasn’t the cause of the clog and we turned our focus to the agitator as the path to get to the pump. However before I can do anything we need to clean up the water that has been slowly leaking under our hardwood floor. Once the water was cleaned up I used an extension cord and a 4′ piece of wood to remove the plastic part of the agitator. Underneath is a steel casing that I can’t get off. I decide to wait until Saturday when I can get some bigger wrenches from my future father in-law.
I had to work Saturday so my father in-law decides he’ll give it a shot. After looking closer at this particular model we determine (via Google) that we need to remove the front panel to get to the pump instead of the agitator. Removing the panel was as easy as slipping a butter knife along the top seem to undo the clips. Once off, the pump was right there and the clog was easily cleared though it wasn’t what I thought it would be.
What was clogging the washing machine ?
If you’re wondering what that is, it’s a sock! That’s right, I’ve repatriated one of my missing socks. I don’t know how it got there but by god did it cause a headache. For you folks out there looking for missing socks be aware, that yes, your washing machine could be eating them.
Conclusions?
I enjoyed completing my first appliance repair. I still feel uncomfortable doing it in a finished condo especially since I want this place in prestine condition when I sell it in three years. It sucks that we did have some water damage on our hardwood. Luckily its an engineered floor and the damage is barely noticeable now. Despite all the trouble I think I would definitely give appliance repair another try in the future but I’ll make sure to have a pro’s number handy as backup.
Do you have any stories about appliance repair or funny places where you found your missing sock?
-mfd-
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LOL - the myth is TRUE - washers DO eat socks! I knew it.
The weirdest place I ever found a sock was when I was planting the garden one year - there was a sock in the compost pile. It was half rotted. ick.
All I can figure is that the dog snuck outside with it and buried it in there. It certainly wasn’t in the little bin with the apple cores and whatnot. I think I’d have noticed that! *G*
Good thing you didn’t call a repair man, could have paid a $100 just so he could remove your sock!
@threadbndr - The dog is probably the most logical reason the sock would have gotten there but I’m willing to bet is was something totally illogical that got the sock there.
I can see it now. A bird swooped in to your house and grabbed the sock. As it was returning to its nest it dropped the sock to escape from a hawk. The sock landed on the back of a rabbit which left it behind at the compost when it was feeding on some old lettuce.
@Canadian Finance - aye. That would have been one expense sock. The sad part is I could probably replace the washing machine for an extra $200.
I can’t tell you how many times my washer has eaten socks. We pull it apart at least twice a month to pull socks out. Excellent choice to save some money. Tiresome and annoying to control the water, but good choice, nonetheless.
Now that you’ve put everything back together, does the machine work? 
The weirdest place I ever found a sock? I was tearing down some drywall and found a sock in between the studs, still all rolled up like someone had Just taken it off. Next to it was a can of Mountain Dew. My best guess? One of the construction workers sat down on the unfinished side of the wall, and took his sock off to get something out or something. And then someone else came in with the board in one arm and a nail gun in the other and just started nailing it up without checking first.
@EllaJo - That’s just crazy. It’s amazing that it happens that often to you. My fiance and I have decided to start putting our socks into those washing bags with zippers. Might be something you should look into.
The clothes come out wet and they seem to smell good so it must be working….I hope
As someone who has taken down a few walls I can tell you there is no limit to what you find inside. As sock is definitely odd though. You would figure that someone would take a second to wonder what its doing there before closing up the wall.
We tried the little bags with the zippers. The machine kept eating the corner of the bag. LOL How great is that?
I’ve taken down a great many walls, as well. I have ceased to be amazed at the army men and crayons I find in there, but a sock? Who took off a sock and left the site without realizing that he was missing a sock?
That’s the best!
She’s used the bags without issue in the past but I have a feeling the socks will find a way to escape.
Haha ya…really how do you leave the job site with a missing sock ?