Everyone has experienced a washer that causes problems from time to time, as it can leak, damage your clothes, fail to drain, and so cause many other issues. One of the most frustrating challenges to experience with your washer is when it won’t stop filling, leading to overflows and water all over the place.
A few different things could be causing such an issue, but luckily, it usually only takes a small and simple repair to get things working again. Keep reading to find out exactly what the problem is and what you need to do to solve it.
Why Won’t My Washer Stop Filling?
Before you try to fix the problem, you must first identify what might be causing it; this will help make your repair process quicker and easier. Here are some of the most common possible causes:
1. Damage to the Inlet Valve
The water inlet valve on your washer allows cold, warm, or hot water to flow freely into the tub to wash and rinse your clothing. The valve has electrical components connected to various other parts of the appliance, all of which can become damaged or disconnected over time.
If your tub won’t stop filling up with water, there’s a possibility that there’s a fault with the inlet valve that is causing this. To confirm this, there are a few different checks you can perform, which will be discussed later on.
2. A Broken Water Level Switch
The water level switch in your washer sends a signal that the tub is filled with water and the water flow should stop. If your washer doesn’t stop filling up with water, there could be an issue with the two sets of contacts on the water level switch.
In order to be sure, refer to your user manual to confirm whether your washer model has a water level switch since some top-loader washers don’t. If your model has this component, you must test if it’s working correctly.
3. A Faulty Control Board
Your control board is like the brain of your washer and is responsible for all the signals and functions of the appliance. If the control board is damaged or faulty, it won’t be able to signal to the various other parts of the machine that the tub is full.
Another potential consequence of a faulty control board is that your cycles and functions may be out of sync, which could cause overflowing and leaks. You would need to have electrical experience or call for professional assistance to check this.
4. Issues With the Pressure Hose or Air Dome Tube
Another possibility is a leak in the pressure hose or air dome tube, which connect the water level switch to your washer tub.
If there is a leak or other damage, this can impact the machine’s ability to read the water levels correctly and thus result in a constant flow of water into the tub.
This is another element you must assess for damage when troubleshooting for water overflow issues in your washer.
5. Low Water Pressure
Finally, if there appears to be nothing wrong with the appliance itself and everything is in working order, there is one last possible cause: low water pressure.
This is a less likely scenario, but you should check it out just the same. Low water pressure could cause your water inlet valve to not close all the way, which can result in the problem you’re facing.
You’ll need to investigate the valve filters to see if they’re blocked, or you might need to contact a plumber.
How to Fix a Washer that Won’t Stop Filling?
Now that you know all the possible causes of the washer issue, you can start taking the steps necessary to get it fixed so you can wash your clothes again. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Drain the Tub
First of all, you should start by simply running a draining or spinning cycle on your washer to drain the tub. You’ll need to get all the water out of the appliance before you can start looking around to see what’s wrong.
Make sure to grab a towel in case of any leaks or spills while you’re working.
2. Check the Water Inlet Valve
Water flows into washers through water inlet valves – you’ll need to check this component out first, and there is a simple way to do so. First, turn on your washer and run a quick cycle so that it starts filling up.
While it’s filling with water, disconnect the power supply; if the tub keeps filling up when it’s disconnected, this will indicate that the valve didn’t close and is likely damaged or faulty. Make sure to turn the water off immediately to prevent it from overflowing.
You can also test this component with a multimeter tool if you have the right equipment and knowledge. Otherwise, get in touch with a professional.
3. Test the Water Level Switch
The next thing you can test is the water level switch. As previously mentioned, you’ll need to check if your model is one of the standard top-load washers with this component.
If it does, you’ll also need a multimeter to check the part for continuity to show that your switch is working properly.
4. Check the Pressure Hose or Air Dome Tube
You can now check the hose attached to your appliance. You’ll need to start by unplugging your washer and removing the rear panel to access the pressure hose or air tube and remove it.
First, inspect it to see if it’s clogged and clean out any build-up that might be inside. Next, submerge it in water and block the ends to see if bubbles come out of any part of the tube – if you see bubbles, this indicates damage.
Check if the damage is visible in the form of cracks or wear. If you have noticed any issues, you will need to replace the part, and this should solve your problem.
5. Test the Water Pressure
As mentioned, there is a slight chance that the problem is caused by low water pressure. You can test this by first checking whether the water inlet valve filters are blocked, as this can cause low water pressure to flow in.
Another thing you can do is check the overall water pressure in your home. Open your taps fully and see how long it takes to fill up a jug or the sink – this will give you an idea of whether the pressure is lower than normal.
If you have low water pressure or are unsure, you might need to contact a plumber.
6. Check the Control Board
If none of the above steps made any difference, you might be dealing with a control board issue. A faulty control board can lead to a wide array of problems with your appliance, so it’s crucial that you get this diagnosed and repaired as quickly as possible.
Start by resetting your appliance by turning it off and then turning the washer on again to see if there was a glitch. If not, you’ll need to investigate the part itself.
If you have electrical experience, you can check this out for yourself. Otherwise, it’s recommended that you contact an appliance technician to diagnose and repair the problem.
7. Call For Professional Assistance
Overall, if you can’t figure out the root of the problem, it’s best to get assistance from licensed technicians to help you figure it out.
Even if you know the cause of the problem but don’t feel confident enough to make repairs or replacements, getting professional help is the safest course of action.
FAQs
Are there any temporary fixes I can try before calling a professional?
Yes, there are. You can manually turn off the water supply to your washer to stop the water from flowing. However, you won’t be able to use your washer to run a cycle until the problem has been solved.
How do I fix a clogged pressure hose?
If your pressure hose is clogged, disconnect it from the appliance and clean it out. You can do this by blowing into it to remove any obstructions or running it under hot, flowing water to help you dislodge anything blocking it.
Is it normal for the washer to fill slightly above the indicated water level?
Yes, this is a normal occurrence with most washers. This slight overfill is intended to compensate for the movement of clothing during a cycle. However, this issue must be addressed if the water fills up far beyond the indicated level.
Adrian is an ISCET licensed professional that has completed the National Appliance Service Technician Certification Exam and has the expertise to diagnose and repair any appliance. He is well-versed in the latest technologies and techniques and is always up-to-date on the latest industry standards.
