Why You Should Drain a Washing Machine. If your washer has stopped mid-cycle and is sitting full of water, it must be drained. Bailing the water out of a top-load washer with a small bucket is one ...

If your washing machine won’t spin or drain, ... Bottom Line. The typical lifespan of a washing machine is 10 to 13 years. If your washer is younger than that, it should be worthwhile to fix it.