When viewing the pictures below you might wonder at my optimism…
But it is a good morning because…
I’ve the feeling of being vindicated for when the plumber laughed at my request for a drain in the mudroom/laundry floor. It could have been far worse without that drain!
However, I do think a new washer is in order. I am tired of repairing this one.
To borrow an old beer slogan:
“Know when to say when.”
~*~
QUESTION: Any readers in the crowd have an opinion of the best of the newfangled washing machines on the market? Thanks, your opinions will be appreciated.
Life on the Farmlet 
see if you can find a G.E. with an agitator. Mine is a couple of years old but it works beautifully. From what I have read, you probably don’t want a front loader.
Margaret, G.E. is my brand, but agitators are hard to find… and I agree, an agitator is a must! Thanks!
Plumbers are not used to dealing with the prevention of these situations. Good luck on the shopping for a new washer.
LOL, You have no idea… this was also the plumber who installed the water valves two feet off the floor “Because they look ugly.” I insisted he move them up to the standard 4 foot position! So glad too, because there would have been no way to have budged that washer to turn them off with the very large load tub filled to overflowing.
What was he thinking? (you know that answer! 😉 )
Is this guy a “newbie”?
I have no idea, but I run into this a lot here. I also get a lot of “men” who think they can treat me like “the little lady” and assume that I don’t know what I’m talking about. It gets so boring dealing with their attitudes.
Mansplaining …. ugh
I think you and I may have discussed this same subject before – about the existence (or non-existence?) of building codes down there where you are… And I’m fairly certain that this is where you and I first “met”(while discussing major appliance repair, LOL!)
But here’s wishing the best of luck with your new appliances and I’m really hoping they don’t frustrate the bejeebers out of you!; ). But honestly, this plumber of yours sounds more like an interior designer with his “Why do you need a floor drain in a laundry room?” and “Hiding ugly shut offs behind the appliances”. (Either that, or he’s just a really Lazy Sod who’s running late for a beer with his buddies!; )
I like a front loader myself… They take do longer to do a load and you can’t add a stray sock partway through, but they are much more economical on power and water, and much gentler on the clothes. As for the drain in the floor, it’s a standard feature here for every bathroom and laundry!
Kate, drains in the floor just make sense. I wish that they were standard here too, but no, I have to request them. Perhaps if the male plumbers ever had to deal with the aftermath of a flooded room, or horrors, returning to a flooded house (BTDT!), then they would understand?
I ended up going with what I know: top loading agitator. It was also more affordable for me at the moment. 🙂
If plumbers had to bathe children, it would soon make sense!
You bet!
Good luck with your search.
Thanks, Tom. Done, on sale, and being delivered on Monday!
Please try to find a washer with an agitator. They are out there. I buy from Sears and always put about an extra 4-5 years warranty on the appliance. I’ve had one thing break on the dryer and two on my washer. The extra warranty money was very worthy. Good luck.
Thanks, Yvonne, I did and got the extended warranty too. I am tired of fixing old appliances and will enjoy not having to do them myself if they go this time.
That’s great, Linda. I’m so glad that you added the warranty. Repairs cost a small fortune.
Don’t I know it! 😯 That is why I have been doing all the repairs myself for so many years. The extra for the extended warranty will make like life a bit easier for me if something should fail in the future. 🙂
Don’t know how you repaired all the appliances. You are one smart lady. I don’t think you’ll be sorry for adding warranty to the machines. It is so worth the extra money at least for me it is. I’ve saved on repair bills by having the extended warranty because I have yet to purchase an appliance that did not break.
Yes, and the problem is only getting worse. We got a brand new stove from Sears (a Kenmore brand) because the computer key pad kept going out. They replaced it 4 TIMES in one year! We now have a GE Dual-Fuel and I am so much happier with it.
I figured that the cost of the extended warranty for 5 years was the same as my cost to have the repair person out for one service call. It just makes sense.
As for repairing it myself, well, I watched a lot of Youtube videos and bought my parts online from a reputable vendor. I have only changed my ways because of my arthritis. It is simply becoming too painful for me to do these repairs now.
I don’t know if you are aware but, if one thing on an appliance goes out three times in one year, that appliance is considered a lemon and Sears should have replaced it with another. I learned about that- after the fact and did not keep adequate evidence of what repairs were done on my washer. I’m not sure if the lemon law is still in effect or not but it should be in order to protect the consumer.
Yes, that is how we got a brand new and better stove! They replaced the computer touch pad because it kept losing it’s settings and reading “Klingon” symbols! LOL! 😉
I’m so glad for you. 🙂
Yes ! Go with the agitator for I have a top loader and I hate it!!
I did! They come on Monday, Deb.
Oh wonderful!!
😀 Yes!
I don’t know much, but I do know that everyone I’ve heard talking about front-loaders has been griping. I also know that you were a genius to insist on that floor drain. Practicality sometimes needs to trump beauty, fashion — whatever.
I just looked to see what Uncle Google had to say, and I see that Lowe’s carries top-loading GE with agitators. If they’re doing it, no doubt other chains are, too. If things get rough, I’ve got an old washboard I can send you! 🙂
Ha-ha-ha! Linda, that was where we went when Bob came home. We found the GE with the agitator there and will be retiring the old dryer too. In the meantime, as it seems to be behaving, I have placed a moat of old towels on the floor and will finish up the laundry so Bob has clean work-clothes for next week. Washing will be carefully watched and attended to on Sunday! New appliances arrive on Monday afternoon!
LOL, Good luck with the “new” ones but, if you can (from what I keep hearing over and over again) maybe hang on to your old ones? At least they can be “fixed” (and I sure I wish I had ):
I would Deb, but I have replaced every part in mine and this fix would have had me starting all over again… I am tired of fixing them. I paid for the extended warranty and will now let them fix or replace if they can’t fix it. 😉
An ounce of prevention…
My point exactly!
Hi! Look for a top loader that has only a partial agitator. I don’t like the regular sized agitators as my sheets get all twisted and other clothes get stretched and out of shape. I never had any trouble getting clothes clean. Maybe it’s because I used BIZ on stains and in extra dirty loads. Good luck.
I don’t think I have seen one of those yet. I will have to pay attention next time I see washers for sale. We ended up going with what we know: a top loading GE with a full agitator.
Arent you smart to persevere and have the drain that saved the day (or at least made it better).
I can’t give you a recommendation, but I will say that I’m just home from a week with long time girlfriends and we were commenting about how “high tech” and unnecessary the washing maching in the rental was. We would have been happy with a basic one!
Yes, I agree, Laurie. I don’t need customized wash settings to infinity. My needs are Cotton, Denim, sheets and towels. I do need and appreciate infinite water levels to help save water. I use and appreciate settings for light, medium and heavily soiled clothing . I don’t want or need a computerized touch pad! Twirly knobs work fine for me. Ya know? 😉
Love my Bosch front loader!
Sorry I am so late responding. I was getting ready for a very long trip and then was gone the past two weeks. I got a chance to use my Auntie’s front loader and thought it did a great job! I was surprised at how little water it used to get her clothes so clean too. Her machine had a burnt out light so we just left the front door open when we were done to let the inside dry between loads. 🙂
I dread having to buy a new washer one day. I did extensive research and I know I will never have a front loader simply because of all of the complaints in the reviews, and also from people I know who have had them. I have never had a problem with a low profile agitator. And I’m with you, less is more. I do not like all of this computerized stuff, but it seems to be on most everything these days. GAH!! I’m glad you found a replacement. Keep us posted about whether you like it greatly or not.
Lori, so far I like it and think it does a good job. However, it is very noisy! It reminds me of mom’s old wringer washer when I was 2 or 3 years old… mid-50s vintage folks or earlier will probably recall these wonders of technology. 😉
Oh yes, and recently I used a front loader at my Aunt Eva’s house. It seemed to work very well! The light is burnt out so we just left the door open to prevent it getting stinky inside.