Chaos in the bathroom!

**Mekk** · 6th August 2007, 18:14

I came home from work the other night to find our bathroom flooded out. There were damp towels on the ground, sopping wet toilet rolls scattered everywhere and a giant pool of water, creeping its way across the adjacent carpeted part of the flat. (Pictured)

There, in the middle of the chaos sat a post-it note from one of my flatmates.

"The washing machine leaks, don't use it."

Thanks, no shit.

So I got my handy mop out and handily mopped most of it up, hung the towels out to dry, threw the toilet rolls out, picked up fallen over hair product bottles, cleaned the sink, washed my hands and sat down with a beer.

On completion of earned beverage, I turned the machine on to observe where the leak was coming from. I figured it would be the only way to troubleshoot something like this and stood ready with bucket and mop.

For about thirty seconds I didn't hear anything unusual. Then out of nowhere a huge puddle came gushing out from underneath it. I quickly turned the machine off and started frantically bailing the water that had conveniently avoided the drain in the floor. On establishing where it was coming from, I finished cleaning up again and tipped her up to have a look underneath.

I hadn't realised that most of a washing machine's machinery was right there, I thought it was hidden inside for nobody to see. Anyway, I quickly established where the leak was coming from. (Pictured)

My flatmate has two pet rats that she lets out from time to time. I don't understand the desire for rats as pets, but whatever. It looks as if these little bastards have gotten in there and chewed the seal (or the pipe) right through. I can't really tell at this stage as it's bloody hard to take pics while holding the machine up with the other hand.

There are some definite chew marks through the seal, and the fact that the cork they usually play with and a small piece of bread is there too confirms the suspects.These rats have also recently annihilated my network cable so needless to say, I'm a bit pissed off.

Normally I'd go to the landlord about something that's broken, but as we're strictly not meant to have pets and the fact that these "pets" have caused the damage, I'm a bit reluctant.

I call upon thee, washing machine gods and goddesses and gurus and experts and all people able to lend me a hand in knowledge about what this could take to fix. I am wanting to fix this myself if possible without causing any great harm or destruction. I appreciate any help, thanks.

**janno** · 6th August 2007, 18:21

So are the rats, and/or flatmate, on their way to a lovely new home?

I'd be expecting flatmate to foot the bill for any repairs, that's for sure.

Good luck with the repairs, sorry I can't offer any wise and useful advice. Apart from get a new flatmate?

**Colapop** · 6th August 2007, 18:22

Don't react too quickly! It is unlikely to be the flatmates rats (they're probably well fed). Quite often during the winter this sort of damage occurs when mice come indoors coz it's cold.

**BMW** · 6th August 2007, 18:51

Hey! I had to pull apart mine as the flattie got the drain pump stuck. meant that the bowl spun up and splashed water every where. So I took the pump out , cleaned it out and got mine going.

Recommend looking at a new hose ( see some place like Mitre 10) and then get the power cables fixed before starting up!

Also tip a bucket of water down the top with no power as it seems the electric motor is below the hose! You may feel a jolt sitting in the water with power applied!
This way you can test for leaks without power on.

**bull** · 6th August 2007, 19:57

dettach the current stuffed hose and take it to mastertrade and theyll hook you up with the matching replacement, as for the electrical you could just put some insulating tape around it otherwise get it fully repaired by a registered electrician.

**The Pastor** · 6th August 2007, 20:01

rat poisn in the cage when ur flatmates out, or buy a cat and don't feed it.

**Mom** · 6th August 2007, 20:07

Originally Posted by janno

So are the rats, and/or flatmate, on their way to a lovely new home?

I'd be expecting flatmate to foot the bill for any repairs, that's for sure.

Good luck with the repairs, sorry I can't offer any wise and useful advice. Apart from get a new flatmate?

I love animals, but.......is this pet rat allowed free run of the house?

If you are not prepared to ask your landlord for repair (because you know that this is most likely a "pet" problem) then remove the chewed portion of hose, go to your local plumbing supply store to buy the bits, repair the machine hose, get rid of the flat mate!

If you really dont want to do that, make it a "rat or flat" scenario to them. All rats must die by the end of July.......this is August, the rat or the flat

**Keystone19** · 6th August 2007, 20:14

Kill the rats.

And the mice.

And the flatmate.

That should solve the problem.

**Steam** · 6th August 2007, 20:23

Just tell the landlord there are wild rats in the house, problem solved. So many problems can be solved by lying.

**SlashWylde** · 6th August 2007, 20:29

Hey dude.

I had to replace a black concertina hose on my old washer recently. You can get them from Applianceworld, at 140 Apirana Ave Glen Innes Auckland.
Ph 0-9-528 5555.

I think I paid about $24 for mine.

Just call them and tell them the make and model of your washing m/c before you head on out there, to check if they stock them.
A flat tipped screwdriver is all you need to remove the two hose clamps holding it in place. Should be a 10 minute job.

Then all you need to do is hold the rats hostage till the flatmate coughs up for the damaged hose and cable

Sorted!

**sunhuntin** · 6th August 2007, 20:51

tell flattie that the rats do not run free in the house anymore, and that they are footing the bills [i suggest get as much ruined bits of washing machine out as you can, make a huge mess with them in their room, and leave a similar note.]

we had rats as pets too [i had 11 at one point... my original one had babies about a month after we bought her!!] and we used to let them run in our beds. shut the door and block the gap with a towel, and away they went! great fun, and good exercise for the rats too. if flattie still wants rats to run free, tell it to keep em in their own room. that way, only their stuff gets damaged.

**ynot slow** · 6th August 2007, 21:40

Can you teach them to chew the wires whilst machine plugged in,instant fix.

**The Pastor** · 6th August 2007, 21:50

accidently knock the cage over while leaving the door open while showing the neighbours cat your house....

**Mekk** · 6th August 2007, 21:53

Thank you all! Most amusing replies and helpful too.

To clarify, the rats are allowed out for maybe ten minutes at a time because they get restless in their cage. Said flatmate has said she won't be getting them again as they are destructive little fuckers. She's happy to cover costs and has already replaced my network cable.

We have seen them go into the bathroom before, but I just didn't think about what they could do to a washing machine. Kinda stupid in hindsight, but that's life.

Originally Posted by Colapop

Don't react too quickly! It is unlikely to be the flatmates rats (they're probably well fed). Quite often during the winter this sort of damage occurs when mice come indoors coz it's cold.

I am pretty sure it's the rats, I am on the second level of a 5 story building in the city, we don't see many mice around.

If it is though...when do they start paying rent?

--

Thanks also SlashWylde, Bull and BMW, great tips. I'll have a play around soon, see if I can get the hose off...just don't want to flood any more than I have to.