Pearoast...but from a while ago, so...
...(I'm *relatively* competent at this sort of thing.) I desperately want to get the sink taps and washing machine installed so we could wash some of the backlog of clothes that has built up - Got a 3 month old, colic-y baby? Splendid time to install a new kitchen...

So I get most of the pipework guts in, taps working and all is well. As with all these things, though, I have hugely underestimated the time needed to complete the job, and I have an appointment with the Pub.

...So I reel in at about 2am, and think, "damn it, lets get the washing machine working". First stop, a few holes in the cabinets for wastepipe - hmm, they don't seem to line up with the pipework. Never mind it's more Carol Smillie than Handy Andy, lets add a few more...it's under the sink, after all.

Eventually, I can feed the washing machine pipes through, and hook everything up. A triumph. Now for testing. Stuff my dirty clothes into the washing machine and set to "on". It's now 3am, gosh, I hadn't realised how tired and pissed I am. Perhaps I should just have a little rest on the kitchen floor?

5am. Something is wrong. I awake, naked, in about an inch of soapy water. Mercifully, with all the powertools near by, I haven't fused myself.

...the wastepipe from my sink has a nozzle to attach a drain from an appliance. This nozzle is blocked with a bright red plastic disk which says "Remove before connecting appliance"
(Mousy Tongue ...Generally bemused by life..., Sat 5 Dec 2009, 22:11, 1 reply)

Ha!
Damn those things. Mine was black and I didn't notice it, but the seal of the washing machine outflow was so good that the symptom was just that the machine didn't empty.

In the end I got the washing machine repair man out to find out why the pump wasn't working... and then he shows me the seal. Embarrassed, moi?
( Fronds are waving gently on, Thu 10 Dec 2009, 10:57, closed)