My Hotpoint FEW12 washing machine is filling with water when it is not on a cycle. I came down one morning to find the floor flooded so I ran a spin cycle to get the rest of the water out which was fine. Then when I came home from work it was full again!! Help - is it just a valve that needs replacing and is it something an expert should deal with ?? It works fine otherwise.

Joanne Stewart, January 2008

Thank you John. It's probably still not something I'm going to be able to tackle myself but at least when I call someone out I know it's a simple job - being a woman they always tend to give me that sharp intake of breath and a huge bill ...!!!

Joanne Stewart, January 2008

Joanne, the water inlet is controlled by an electrically operated solenoid valve which is located just inside the machine, with the top off. Its this that is faulty (or its got some dirt in it somewhere but thats unlikely). Replacement is simple enough, and a spares are readily available. It one of the simplest repairs someone can do - 2 water pipes and a plug in electrical connection to be made.

John, January 2008