I have a washing machine full of clothes and water, which I can't even open. Is there a trick to getting the machine to drain? I've tried rewashing the load on various cycles in an attempt to get it to drain - to no avail. Very grateful for any suggestions!

Helen Lucas, June 2004

On some drain pipes from the machine to the connection at the outlet point, at the nearest sink perhaps, there is a plastic bracing piece inside the pipe. This causes fibres from clothes to build up and prevents water from being pumped out of the machine. Unscrew the outlet pipe at this connection and clear the blockage.

Tim Reardon, February 2005

I had this problem several times and found that a spring non-return valve was fitted in the waste run off pipe, as it t-ed into the main sink waste. After clearing it of fibres etc the machine pumped away. I eventually removed the non-return as unnecessary. On one occasion the main waste line was blocked outside with leaves etc. with the same result. Hope this helps

Peter Wise, July 2004