Mend > Washing Machines

how do i unblock my washer?

I asked my son to put an old mat to wash. Meaning to add it to the wash basket. Unfortunately he put it in the washer and switched it on.
It had completely threaded inside the machine by the time I realized, and the water cannot empty.
I cannot move my machine as it is in a cupboard and still full of water making it very heavy. Is there some thing I can put through to unblock it?

The Black Widow
April 2004

Household Appliances, Washing Machines Washing Machine Blockage Drain

The only way to empty it is to pull it out to get to the drain hose and lover it into a bowl. However, if you washing machine has a filter at the front (sometimes they can be hidden behind the front kick panel at the bottom - check instruction book if unsure) then if you have no way of getting the washing machine out then you could put your welly's on and get several large bath towels and a mop, then unscrew the filter. Water will pour out but if you only unscrew it enough to let some water out you can control the flow by simply screwing it back in to mop up.

Eventually the water will be drained out. If you don't have a filter, the washing machine must come out. If it is the type of washing machine that will let you open the door with water in (some wil and some wont but dont force it if it wont) then you could open the door and a lot of water will come out. Then you can lift the washing machine up and out by holding the door rim.

Further advice is freely available here on my washing machine site

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/diy-repair-help.html#cl_q6
http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/diy-repair-help.html#cl_q3

Andy
May 2004