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Post by PaperGrace on Oct 22, 2014 20:59:15 GMT -5
ohblondie, don't forget to level your fridge before/when you replace your gasket. The less pressure on the doors the better.
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Post by ohblondie on Oct 23, 2014 10:16:27 GMT -5
Oh PaperGrace - you are so smart!!! I should probably check and make certain the washer is levelled as well.
THis is the order in which things happened.
For the past few months the hot water tank has had a veeerrrryyyyy slllooowww leak. The floor underneath started out just dampish - but it has been getting wetter. the hot water tank is next to the furnace. We were planning on replacing it with an "on demand" system - and were just waiting til we started the work. The delay is my fault cause of the hoarded mess and trying to clean up before a bathroom remodel....I digress but you all know what I mean.
When hubby went to turn on the furnace - it would not kick on. He looked up all kinds of self help videos and got into ask an expert chat rooms and did ost everything he could to rule out things.
Furnace guy came and said it was the circuit board that had fried (the furnace is less than a year old) the only catch was - this time it was our fault. THe moisture from the hot water tank was pooling under the furnace. WHen the air intake (?) valve kicked on - it pulled moist air into the furnace unit - and that killed the circuit board. So he left, telling us that he would replace the hot water tank and the circuit board for an extremely reasonable price. He left, promising to be back the next day or so with parts. He also told hubby he did not think you could order a seal for the freezer door.
On my way home the next day from work - to wait for the furnace guy - my husband stopped at Home Depot. We looked at mid range dryers and ordered one. Hubby started looking at new refrigerators - could not find what we wanted in the color we wanted - and he starts talking abut replacing ALL of the kitchen appliances in a new color (not stainless but similr to stainless - a little "warmer" than stainless). I dragged him out of that store as fast as I could.
Repair guy came that evening and fixed the furnace. I was a little miffed - I would have done the water heater first - because I did not want the furnace to fry out again because of the continued moisture on the floor. Hubby jerry rigged a bag over the circuit thing to keep it dryer. Of course I was freaking out thinking the house would burn. (Please do not feel the need to tell me horror stories about houses burning - I do NOT need to hear them.)
A few days later the Dryer is delivered and sits in the kitchen for two days. Dryer makes it downstairs, and is sitting in a corner. Old dryer is still hooked up but I will not allow anyone to use it - it makes me too nervous. So I continued to have wet jeans strung across drying racks, shirts hanging in the hallway and I am house sitting, so blankets are being tossed in her dryer.
Tuesday (the repair guy comes and replaces the hot water heater. When hubby helps him carry it outside - the leg falls off. It was getting pretty close to rusting out the bottom. Too close of a call for me. And there goes our plan for the tnkless, on demand, hot water system.
So i guess it was furnace, dryer (still not usable) and hot water.
Still pending are fridge (freezer part) and washer. I drain the washer before using - it is as simple as pushing a few buttons and waiting less that a mnute. I ran out of vinegar - but I was putting vinegar in ever wash. Clothes are still being hung up to dry. Hubby is building a small ledge to put the washer and dryer on - just to lift them up a few inches. I am wondering if leveling the machine (after it is moved up on this) will help solve the water issue.
Fridge (freezer part of hte fridge) is still pending - and this is frustrating me because it is a waste of electricity and everything inside is rosted up. Making it hard to use what I have or put bulk puchases in the freezer. I am continuing to google repair tips. I took the hair dryer and tried warming the gasket up and getting it to seal. I will have to google the model number and try to find out where the screws are to see if I can take it out and wash it or try to order a new one. I want to "win" over the fridge.
Thank you for all of your help and tips etc. You guys think alot like me - and you have had some very helpful tips that I have tried to use in fixing the various issues. I avoided burning my house down (dryer) and flooding my basement (hot water tank) and I am warm (furnace. THe rest I can just deal with!
You guys ROCK!!!
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Post by larataylor on Oct 23, 2014 10:44:49 GMT -5
Since the freezer is part of the refrigerator, it's higher priority than a separate freezer. I would try any cheap and easy fix ideas for the freezer while getting the water heater replaced and the furnace serviced, especially if you're heading into winter. You can live on non-refridgerated food for a while.
I would say HEAT comes first … but if the water heater is about to destroy the furnace, do the water heater first and then take care of the furnace. I was surprised to learn that hot water heaters only last about ten years.
Then the freezer/fridge.
Washer and dryer would be lowest priorities for me, because I could go to a laundromat.
The washer would take priority over the dryer. When I had a broken dryer, I hung up all the wet clothes until they were half-dry to dry. Then I loaded up a lot of them, went to the laundromat and put them in several dryers at once. It was fairly fast and cheap to finish drying them this way.
But drying indoors will put humidity into your air. If paying for electricity is not a big issue, you can run a dehumidifier to help them dry.
You have my profound sympathy. That is A LOT of things to go wrong at once. Tough choices!
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Post by ohblondie on Oct 23, 2014 11:22:47 GMT -5
In the winter my house gets very dry - so I apprecite the extra humidity that the drying clothes bring. And when the heat is on - they clothes dry pretty quickly. For me, if I had to choose between the two - - the washer takes priority over the dryer - since most of my loads are line dried. But since I have a work around for the washer - the dryer got the nod.
Laundramat is not always an option for me. I dont always have a car available to load up to drive to the laundramat.
I just googled the Whirlpool website - and replacing the gasket is so easy!! I just need to get the model number and check out the price of the parts. I think I was on the Appliance Parts Pro website - and this guy walked thru replacing one. he explained it well - I could do this!
Thank goodness we have had a semi warm fall - it is nice to have things working once again.
I now have a broken hot water heater on my deck - my son will scrap it when he scraps the dryer. I did have to pick up the tools and pieces of cardboard after the repair guy left. My dog likes him - why dont I?
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Post by aa on Oct 23, 2014 11:42:48 GMT -5
I just googled the Whirlpool website - and replacing the gasket is so easy!! I just need to get the model number and check out the price of the parts. I think I was on the Appliance Parts Pro website - and this guy walked thru replacing one. he explained it well - I could do this! I've used that website to order parts and watch the vids on several repairs on our washing machine.
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Post by ohblondie on Oct 23, 2014 11:43:30 GMT -5
aa - did you find this to be a good and reputable company? I thought the videos were so helpful.
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Post by aa on Oct 23, 2014 11:58:57 GMT -5
Yes. One way I really check companies is to look at their facebook page and bring up the Posts to Page section. www.facebook.com/appliancepartspros Looking at theirs, lots of positive reviews and they actually respond when someone has a question. Once I have the model number of the part I need figured out, I will comparison shop, but if it is at all close, I'll buy from them.
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Post by ohblondie on Oct 24, 2014 11:08:12 GMT -5
THanks aa!! I have a busy weekend ahead of me!
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escape
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 89
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Post by escape on Oct 30, 2014 5:16:40 GMT -5
Have you looked up your washer on line? We had a GE HE front loader that had a filter behind the kick panel on the bottom front. Of course, that panel is screwed on & looks like it is permanently part of the washer.
Once the panel is off, you can see a cylinder full of foul smelling junk from the washer & fermented water that keeps the drum from draining completely. Maybe yours has something similar?
-escape
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Post by ohblondie on Oct 30, 2014 8:50:16 GMT -5
Thanks Escape! I know there is a small square panel. Lower front left. We had to open that to drain it when something got clogged. I will check that and then go online n I have not seen backed up water in a few days and I have been using vinegar in every load. That had helped somewhat.
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