h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... that household appliances always choose the worst possible moment to get sick? Have been extremely busy at work since we got the A-level results on Sunday, preparing for them being released to students tomorrow. This means (for me) answering the phone non-stop to students who haven't achieved the grades we asked them for, probably tearful, and/or their upset/angry parents.

My washing machine has chosen this week to spring a leak. At least I think that's what's happened. A damp patch appeared in the carpet in my kitchen doorway: I thought at first I'd spilt some water, but when it didn't dry up despite a couple of days of warm weather I investigated further and found that the floor was damp underneath the washing machine.

My tame plumber (partner of a friend) said at first that he was really busy and couldn't come until Monday, but when I phoned him again this evening and pointed out that the water didn't seem to be drying up and that my kitchen is on the first floor (with my downstairs neighbour's bedroom underneath it), he said he'd come tomorrow. This is the one day in the year when I absolutely can't miss work, so had to cycle round to his house to leave him a key this evening. Luckily I can trust him to let himself in and lock up again afterwards.

Have turned the cold water supply to the kitchen off, but the hot water is more complicated. Can't pull the washing machine out of its little niche to have a look at what's going on behind it, because it's a) too heavy, b) completely wedged in.

Poor you, Annie. Keep us posted.

dd x

Annie, do have a tonight. FOr now, perhaps a and on me?

Zen-like calm, zen-like calm. Repeat.

Cat x

Ohhh noooooo

I went through washing machine trauma twice this year - the first time Dad repaired it for me (it became a battle between him and the machine that he was determined to win) and when it went again a few months later I got online and bought a new one.

Bought a Servis machine from Argos - great price - and I'm really pleased with it so far; quiet, efficient and effective.

But then hopefully your plumber has found and solved the problem and they'll be no need for the tedium of choosing a w/m and arranging delivery at a time when you can be there.

In the meanwhile have a reviving or two.

Jane

Don't they just. I once had a w/m spring a leak during the wash cycle at the same time as I was showing prospective house buyers around. There we are standing in the living room as soapy water started oozing under the kitchen door. All I could think of doing was ushering them out of the house whilst keeping myself between them and the kitchen. They never said anything but didn't put in an offer on the house so perhaps I should have just let their shoes get wet.

I wouldn't worry too much about not disconnecting the hot water as the leak is more likely to be coming from water trapped inside the machine somewhere. Anyway it'll be fixed tomorrow.

As you can't watch your smalls go round why not just enjoy

Polly x

Thanks all, for your comforting suggestions of and !

Turned the water off on Wednesday night and by Thursday morning it seemed to have dried up a bit, so phoned T (the plumber) to say that it now didn't seem to be so urgent as first appeared. He said he would try and come during the day, but would phone if he couldn't make it.

Went out after work with a colleague who was leaving, but came back after one drink to see what had happened with the w/m - absolutely nothing! Still, as I no longer think it's about to fall through the kitchen floor (touch wood hastily) I guess it can wait a couple of days until T has time to come and see what's wrong. So I went back to join the drinks party and ended up going for pizza at about 9.30. Got home well past my bedtime, so hoping for a not-too-stressful day today. It's pouring with rain, so will be starting with a wet cycle ride to work.

I'll write about Results Day this evening.

Latest news: plumber phoned this morning (I was in the shower) to say he hadn't been able to come yesterday (I'd noticed) and would try to make it either today or on Monday. When I got home today he still hadn't been, so it will have to be Monday.


Never mind - I managed without a washing machine, or even a laundrette for a whole year when I lived in Nicaragua, so a few days shouldn't be a problem! We used to wash everything, even sheets, in a stone sink in the back yard, using locally made soap (I dread to think what it was made of, it smelt meaty) and cold water.

Just to bring you up to date (I'm sure you're not interested, but nevertheless, I prefer to tie up loose ends!), the plumber came yesterday and discovered that the problem was only a loose nut on the washing machine feed. Tightened it up and it has been fine since.

I must say it's a great advantage to have a plumber to whom you know you can give a key and he will come in and do the work, tidy up after himself and drop the key back through the letterbox. I phoned him to find out how much I owed him, and he said if I was paying cash I could just give it to his partner's mum (my best friend) next time I saw her!

On the contrary, I am most interested! I have recently bought a new washing machine and have yet to try it out. The weather is not clement enough for drying, you see, and I am loath to hump a black bag full of wet washing through town in order to use the laundry's driers.

So I am glad that all has turned out well in the end.

Talking of household appliances, my new stove is coming today!

Richard xx

I'm glad that it turned out to be relatively minor and easily fixed - better than having to fork out for a new machine and arrange for it's delivery and installation.