Moving house can stop washing machine from emptying the water

I’ve received quite a few emails from people who after moving house found that their washing machine wouldn’t empty the water whereas it did before. Here’s the most recent -

Hope you can help,
I have a Hotpoint first edition 800 and have recently moved and reconnected all the hosing, the water comes in fine but it will no longer drain the drum. I have reconnected the old drain hose to an existing connection in my new flat and I cannot under stand why it wont drain as it pumped out the water perfectly before. Any idea’s? Thanks

Watch out for new plumbing installations – particularly at new houses

If you have just plumbed a washing machine into a u- bend under the sink, or have just moved house and connected your washing machine to the existing u-bend plumbing under the sink and your washing machine doesn’t pump out (but it did before) make sure the connector that you fit the drain hose onto doesn’t have a blanked end that needs cutting off, or a plug that needs removing.

When a new plumbing installation is fitted that connects to the u-bend under the sink, or someone disconnects an old washing machine from under the sink, any water poured down the sink will flood into the cupboard unless a washing machine is connected to the connector. Therefore, new washing machine u-bend connectors have a blanking plug, or have no hole in the end to prevent water leaking into the cupboard. Before connecting the drain hose, you either have to cut off the end, or remove the blanking plug.

Another possible cause for a washing machine not emptying the water from the drum after being connected to different plumbing -

The movement during transit could have caused an obstruction to be dislodged from somewhere inside the washing machine and has made its way into the water pump or the pump filter.

Related help:

• Washing machine won’t empty water (Further help with washing machine not draining water covering most other possible causes)
• Washing machine pumps (Describes how a washing machine pump works and explains pump faults)
• What do I need to watch out for after repairing or installing a washing machine?
• How to install a washing machine (To existing plumbing)
• Is your washing machine or dishwasher connected to the plumbing properly? Are you sure? (Important environmental issue)