Long Stagnant Water in Washer...Please Help?

Question

My grandmother passed away. She lived on her own and as we were cleaning out her apartment, discovered that her washer broke, and she never told anyone.

The inside is full of old, stagnant water with a terrible odor...I don't know how long it's been sitting there but probably a few months.

How do we get this out? The machine is too heavy to lift and pour into something. No repair man will touch it until the water is removed.

Any serious suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

You can get a small submersible pump, insert the outflow tube into a hose which leads outside and pump out all of the water, If the machine won't run, at least you'll be rid of the water.

Then I'd pour a bucket of sudsy hot water into the tub, scrub it as best you can, then drain it with the pump once more. Work at it a few times and it will be clean enough for a repair guy to deal with it.

A very small submersible pump isn't very expensive, you may be able to rent one. You can find them at Home Depot for less than $20.

Answer 2

Take a garden hose and leave it full of water (leave spray handle on one side, fill with water, then shut off and remove end from spigot). Try to keep the water in the hose and put spray handle end at a point lower than washer (like the curb or a driveway, don't know your situation), put the other end into the washer, near the bottom. Have someone remove the spray handle and the water will start to flow out of the washer by itself.

This same method is used to clean fish tanks. Gravity will do the trick as the water at the far end is at a lower point than that of the tank. Sound's weird, but it will work. You will have to remove the old clothes from the wash first, use long tongs (like BBQ) and gloves. Put the clothes in a plastic garbage bag.

Answer 3

First things first......add chlorine to the water to deodorize and kill anything that is in the water.

Then, go to a local auto parts place and get a siphon. Using the siphon, suck out the water by using a container that is small enough to fit inside of the washer. Make sure you are able to remove the container freely so that you can pour out the water you collect.

At some point, you will get to a weight that you can lift with a dolley.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

UN hook the drain hose tilt it and the water will come out put water in to a bucket until all gone. then wash the washer on long cycle like heavy duty and wash with a whole bottle of Clorox. Rinse a few times before putting good clothes in. and if smells like Clorox put some dry deterant in it it stronger than liquid.

Answer 5

You're probably going to have to siphon it out with a hose if you don't want to handle it with buckets and you'll probably have to put it down a drain if you can't put it outside in a yard or something. You could also try putting some bleach in it to help with the odor. I'm sorry to hear about your grandma, I hope you get everything fixed!

Answer 6

if it will agitate but not drain i would put a cup of bleach in there and agitate. that might help with the smell so you can bring it by bucketful to the toilet. You might try a fish tank siphon that you immerse in the water then pull out the smaller end and put it into a bucket then cart to the toilet and dump. Get the largest one link below they are not expensive and you can get them at most pet shops.

Answer 7

Oh dear...

You might want to siphon the water out, into either the tub or the toilet. Whatever you do with the machine, the water has got to go.

I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother. Feel better.

Answer 8

Hi,
you could try pumping it out with one of the little water pumps you connect up to your electric drill.

Or a bit slower, use a basting syringe with a bit of tube attached.
One with the rubber pump ball on the one end, like you use for basting a Turkey.

Answer 9

bypass to a warm bath save and get some water therapy. which will save the alge and bugs down. do no longer difficulty a pair of little airborne dirt and airborne dirt and dust. while it comes time to empty the pool use your backyard hose as a siphon. that gets ninety% of the water out with out attempt.