Hose Functions

• Two smaller reinforced rubber tubes on the back of standard washing machines feed hot and cold water into the machine. After installation, these hoses hold constant water pressure, so any loose fittings or hose damage causes a serious water leak. To avoid problems, Whirlpool recommends replacing the supply hoses every five years. Always turn off the faucets on the supply side before adjusting hose fittings. A third hose connected to the pump outlet at the bottom of the washer handles the drain water. This tube feeds into either a vertical drain pipe or through a siphon breaker into a floor drain.
  
  

Filling and Draining

• The washing machine follows a preset cycle controlled by automatic timers and switches. Valves enable specific amounts of water from either the hot or the cold supply lines to fill the washer. After the wash cycle, the washer pump sends the dirty water up through the drain hose and into the drain pipe, expelling a large volume of water quickly. The drain hose fits the opening of the drain standpipe with a short bend to prevent siphoning that could pull water out during the wrong part of the machine cycle. Sealing the drain opening or shortening the stand pipe can also cause siphoning.
  
  

Drain Problems

• Any kinks in the drain hose can prevent the washer from expelling waste water as it should. Clogs in the drain line from accumulated lint or mineral deposits in the hose also slow down washer draining. Clogs in the drain pipe could back-drain water up and over the mouth of the drain standpipe. Water can back up if the drain hose empties into a pipe too small for the purpose. A washer drain hose of about 1 1/2 inches in diameter fits a standpipe of at least 2 inches in diameter, ensuring an efficient flow and an air gap to prevent the siphon effect.
  
  

Water Volume

• The water needs of a washing machine usually fall between 40 and 55 gallons per load without special water-saving features, according to the Franklin Institute. The waste water a busy home laundry generates can overwhelm a septic system and flood a drain field. Overloading a machine to save water may result in extra loads, since washers need a correct proportion of water to clean efficiently. Staggering laundry throughout the week puts less strain on a septic system, and washing only full loads can save up to 2000 gallons of water annually, the University of Nevada reports.