The essentials in 30 seconds
GE's drain hose is about 1-1/4 inches (outside diameter) and about 60 inches long on top load and front load washers. It must go into a standpipe, wall drain or set tub with an inside diameter of at least 1-1/2 inches, open to the atmosphere. Drain heights: 30 inches to 8 feet above the base for top loaders, 24 inches to 8 feet for full-size front loaders, and up to 5 feet for compact or portable washers. To avoid siphoning (filling and draining at the same time), push the hose no more than 5 inches into the pipe on new top loaders and 7 inches on front loaders, and leave an air gap around it. Secure the hose to the standpipe, or to a water hose for wall drains, with the cable tie supplied. Longer hoses: use GE's extension kit for your model; compact and portable washers have none.
- Top loaders with a drain lower than 30 inches: use the supplied drain hose clip (anti-siphon clip).
- Front loaders do not use a drain hose clip.
- GE does not recommend check valves on the drain.
GE drain hose and drain requirements
| Item | Top load washer | Front load washer | Compact or portable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum drain height | 30 in above the base | 24 in above the base | See its instructions |
| Maximum pumping height | 8 ft | 8 ft | 5 ft |
| Hose inside the drain pipe | No more than 5 in | No more than 7 in | See its instructions |
| Drain hose clip (anti-siphon) | Supplied; used if the drain is under 30 in | Not used | |
| Pump flow rate | About 15 to 17 gallons per minute | About 10 gallons per minute | |
| Extension kit | WH49X301 (top load and unitized) | WH49X316 (listed models) | None, with listed exceptions |
How to install and secure the drain hose
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01
Check the drain
A standpipe, wall drain or set tub at the right height, at least 1-1/2 in inside diameter and open at the top.
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02
Remove any cap
If the washer's drain port has a cap, remove it before fitting the hose, as GE's commercial washer installation instructions note.
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03
Insert the hose
Put the free end into the drain, no deeper than 5 in (top load) or 7 in (front load).
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04
Leave an air gap
Do not seal the hose into the pipe; a snug fit can cause siphoning.
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05
Secure it
Fasten the hose to the standpipe with the cable tie supplied; for drains and water valves built into the wall, fasten it to one of the water hoses.
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06
Low drain on a top loader
If the drain is under 30 in, thread the hose through the drain hose clip and mount it on the back of the cabinet.
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07
Check the route
No kinks or crushed sections behind the machine.
Why the washer fills and drains at the same time
GE explains that siphoning happens when the drain height is too low or the hose is pushed too far down the drain pipe. To prevent it on top loaders, the drain plumbing must be at least 30 inches high; if it is not, the drain hose clip lifts the hose higher at the back of the washer. On its older washer FAQ, GE adds that you must leave an air gap around the hose, because a snug fit can create a siphoning action. Front loaders have a hose design that does not use the clip.
Extending a washing machine drain hose
Most washers come with a hose about 60 inches long, but they can pump up to 96 inches, GE notes. For top load and unitized washers with a drain 70 to 96 inches high, it recommends an optional extension kit (WH49X301), which contains the hoses, clamps and instructions: the extension connects to the original hose with the hose clamp in the kit. For front loaders, the kit is WH49X316, for the models GE lists. There are no extensions for compact or portable washers: their plastic hose is smaller and cannot be clamped, with exceptions GE names. GE's answer for a longer hose is the kit listed for your model number.
Drain hose kinked, clogged or leaking
If the washer will not drain, GE's first checks are that the drain hose is not kinked or clogged and that the washer is not trying to pump higher than 8 feet. Pull the machine out carefully, straighten the hose, and look for a clog in the hose and in the drain; GE suggests pouring a quart of water into the standpipe to check the house drain, and calling a plumber if it does not go down. If the hose itself is split, cracked or leaking, replace it with the part listed for your model. GE has a video for replacing the drain hose on top load washers secured with a retainer; for other models, follow the instructions for your model number.
GE washing machine drain hose: frequently asked questions
How long is a GE washing machine drain hose?
About 60 inches on top load and front load washers. Compact and portable washers use a shorter plastic hose.
How far should the drain hose go into the standpipe?
No more than 5 inches on new GE top loaders and 7 inches on front loaders, with an air gap around it.
How high can a GE washer pump water?
Up to 8 feet above the floor for full-size washers and 5 feet for compact or portable models.
Can I extend my washing machine drain hose?
Yes, with GE's extension kit for your model. There are no extensions for compact or portable washers.
Why does my washer drain while filling?
Siphoning: the drain is too low, or the hose is pushed too far in or sealed into the pipe.
Do I need a drain hose clip?
On GE top loaders, only if the drain is lower than 30 inches. Front loaders do not use one.
Sources
Manufacturer guidance, checked on 2 November 2026 (02/11/2026).
- GE Appliances · Washer drain hose information ↗Pumps up to 8 feet, 5 feet for compact; flow 15 to 17 GPM top load, 10 GPM front load; standpipe, wall drain or set tub; 30 inches minimum for top load with drain hose clip, 24 inches for front load, no clip; hose about 1-1/4 inches and 60 inches; drain 1-1/2 inches ID open to the atmosphere; replacement video for top loaders with a retainer; no check valves.
- GE Appliances · Washer drain height ↗Siphoning when the drain is too low or the hose too far down; no more than 5 inches for new top loaders and 7 inches for front loaders; drain pipe 1-1/2 inches ID, hose 1-1/4 inches OD; anti-siphon clip.
- GE Appliances · Washer secure drain hose properly ↗Hose kept in the drain at all times; cable tie to the standpipe or to a water hose for wall drains; drain hose clip for top loaders under 30 inches.
- GE Appliances · Washer extension drain hose kit ↗Hose about 60 inches, pumping up to 96 inches; WH49X301 for top load and unitized, 70 to 96 inches, with hoses, clamps and instructions; WH49X316 for listed front loaders; no extensions for compact or portable washers, with exceptions.
- GE Appliances · Frequently asked questions about GE washers ↗Drain at least 30 inches; 5 to 7 inches of hose in the drainpipe; air gap, a snug fit causes siphoning; kinked or clogged hose.
- GE Appliances · Front load washer will not drain ↗Kinked or clogged hose; 8 feet maximum; quart of water in the standpipe; plumber.
- GE Appliances · Commercial washer installation instructions (PDF) ↗Air gap around the hose; no more than 5 inches in the drain pipe; cable tie to the standpipe; remove the cap from the drain port before installing the hose.
Hose split or leaking?
Turn the washer off, unplug it and replace the hose with the part for your model number, or book a technician.