When my drive belt snapped we bought a new one, I YouTube’d how to fix my model, then I took mine apart and it looked fuck all like the video. Still fixed it
Our washer and dryer are from the late 90s and every time something breaks, I just fix it. They are simple models that aren't complicated, but do their job well. Parts are cheap, too. All this new shit is computer controlled board shit that is just waiting for a board to give out.
7yo Dishwasher had the magic smoke escape. Control board fried itself somehow. Piece of cake to repair. Replacement board costs $300. Fuck it went and got a brand new Dishwasher for $500 and called it a day.
Our washer and dryer are already 10+ years old. They've seen a thing or two and have shredded hair pins I their pumps, but they still live. For now the difference in electricity usage compared to new ones isn't big enough to warrant new ones, but eventually I will have to look into that
I have a newer dryer and older washing machine because I'm waiting on the puppy to break... But I always wonder if the advertising is true that the new systems are far more efficient than the old ones
Totally depends on what “broken” means in this context.
No power, no lights, nothing - look to see if you can confirm it is a replaceable board of some kind and consider a repair man.
Works, but doesn’t heat, takes a long time to get anything dry - I have replaced the heating element a few times, find the model, get the part, repair myself.
Turns on, lights up, won’t spin or activate, probably replace it and hope the delivery guys will recycle the old one.
I once had one that just ceased working altogether. It was a switch that had stopped working so I just bypassed that switch. I am an electrician which helped of course.
I’ve replaced the motor and heating element on my dryer, just by looking up how to do it on YouTube videos. No prior experience in appliance repair. A new heating element was $30, and a new motor was $70.
Could probably do a motor, but start to worry more about balance, etc, plus almost double the cost. I guess I’m more likely to do the things I learned how to do on YouTube when I had less money : )
(part cost+difficulty+time) vs (cost to buy new one.)
I recently had a dryer stop working.
* I Googled the specific problem. Found multiple sources saying it was the belt.
* Looked up the cost of the belt.
* Looked up a video on how hard it was to replace the belt.
Everything seemed relatively easy. So we fixed it.
That's about how I handle any situation like that. Did the same thing for backlights going out on my TV.
If it's too much effort or technical I will buy a new one. If I feel I can repair it myself and I can be 90%+ sure I know what the problem is.. I'll just do it myself
This, for anything in the house that breaks.
Look it up, see if you feel comfortable to try to fix it, and what the price difference is.
I usually look at what my hourly rate would be if the fix works. Saving €300,- by fumbling around for a couple hours? Haven’t found an employer who would pay that rate.
I also have the mentality of; I can’t use it in its current state. If I destroy it while working on it, it doesn’t matter, because I would need to buy a new one anyway. So I can try, possibly save some money, and if it dies in the process, at least I gave it a shot.
Look into fixing it.
1. Is it not heating? clean the vent line thoroughly (could be the issue). If not the issue i'd find a manual and see about a replacement heating element.
2. Drum not rotating. Usually a belt or a motor. Again manual and try to replace.
3. Electronics. Eh, I might see how many boards there are and look on ebay but if more than 2 I would scrap the self work most likely.
Dryers are pretty simple. You've got a motor that spins and a thing that makes heat. The part that supplies electricity is dangerous, so avoid that. If it still has electricity, then you can go from there. If the clothes aren't drying, then make sure it still has heat. If it still has heat, then it probably can't breathe and get the excess moisture out. Check the vent.
If the motor doesn't turn the drum, then you can fix it. It might have a broken belt or a broken tension wheel. Those parts don't cost much. Google the make/model of the dryer. Google the symptoms. I've repaired clothes dryers many times and haven't had to use a tool more complicated than a screwdriver.
Again, if it has no power, then back away. Be very careful. Dryers use a lot of voltage and can cook you like popcorn if you're not careful.
Yeah, I am a cheap bastard and have a very hard time spending money on stuff that generally is not that hard to fix. It really comes down to how long it is going to take to repair it and how long I can deal with an unhappy spouse.
>and how long I can deal with an unhappy spouse.
This amount of time is zero. Explain what you're doing and how you aim to fix the problem. That should do it.
They aren’t too hard to troubleshoot.
Toss clothes in and see if they get hot. If they do, check the exhaust.
If they don’t, then there may just be a fuse or element or something not working. You can meter these out.
You can also pay someone to do it.
There are so many resources to learn how to fix things these days. I would definitely look into the problem first and how to fix it - the amount of times I have saved something that was to be thrown away amazes me.
Eg an old dryer broke and it was just the plug that needed to be replaced, $10 vs $700 fix to a problem.
My wife would just tell me it's not working, not that we 'need' a new one.
I'd do some basic troubleshooting, check heating/venting. If I can't figure it out in 10 minutes, I've got a bunch of contacts I could ask for help. I've worked in construction for a long time, so I've usually got a guy for any subject that I can reach out to if I run into something I can't fix.
Basically, unless it involves plumbing or electrical wiring, ill try to fix it. Youtube is pretty handy these days for tutorials and guides, and alot of maintenance/repair videos get posted by manufacturers or repairmen making it super easy to follow and trust.
I had a 20 + year set. The old ones were easy to fix until rust kicked in on the washer so I bought new. Single here but my married buddies said when goes their spouse want both brand new. The dryer still does the job.
With the Internet, Internet, and a good multimeter most items are fixable by DIY.
I'd be googling to identify and solve the issue.
Spare parts and install them on my own.
Sounds like a weekend project. Record yourself disassembling the machine- if you forget how to put it back together, rewatch the video.
The relationship doesn't affect the decision. First thing to do is try to repair it myself (granted, I am not good at these things), then call a repairman and let him have a go.
Only if the repairman says that it is beyond repair or the repair will cost $$$ do you go out and buy a new one.
Repair the drier. I have a good appliance man. Keep junk out of the landfill. Repairs are simple for the expert.
My drier is now 25 years old, or more. 2 repairs in that time.
I’m 100% going to diagnose the problem and fix it. It’s usually some simple part that’s under $100 and I don’t need a repair guy to fix a dryer.
Also, my wife knows how frivolous and wasteful the “throw it away and buy a new one” mindset is, so she pretty much always asks “hey can you take a look at this thing that’s not working?” if she can’t figure it out herself.
That said, if you’re not mechanically-minded or comfortable working with electricity, call a repair guy.
Our old house (renting it out, now) still has a 16-year-old dryer (front loader) that I basically rebuilt.
Replaced the heating element in the back
Replaced the bearing drum rest (completely worn out)
Replaced the belt
And after 16 years, it's still working 💪💪
FWIW, I've changed the water pump on the washing machine twice - and it's still going strong, too
mine had no heat, it was a $5 thermal fuse. Would replace it a few times a year. Finally replaced the heating element $80, no issues since in over a year. I'd spend all day trying to fix something before giving up. I got good at taking it apart.
Definitely open it up and see if its a easy or economical fix.
I'd discuss and involve my GF on the economic pros and cons once I had carried out an initial assessment.
I’d take a peak, if I can’t sort it out I’d see what a professional would charge and probably go that route, they say it’s gone tits up, then and only then do I buy a new dryer.
I would do both. First, to solve the immediate problem, i would look if it's fixable, and if so, fix it. But i also know that once things break down, especially after 7 years, more stuff will break down soon. So after my duct tape solution, i would look up current reviews, pick a decent one, and order it.
My wife won't really pressure me for this, because she has the same attitude: we have a 'now' problem, and we have a future problem. Both need fixing. But buying stuff under pressure is never a good thing
Could I likely try to troubleshoot it? Sure.
But I really don't want to waste my solitary day off spending all day trying to figure it out and having to order parts that may or may not work. Waiting on them to get delivered, which could be anything from a couple of days to sometime next week to get here. Then have to wait until my next day off to try it and see if that actually fixes it. And if it doesn't, having to spend another unknown amount of time waiting on different parts, that may or may not actually fix it. All the while having to go to a laundromat to do my laundry.
So I'd likely just buy a new one. It'd would just be easier and I can afford it.
I would first find the issue as exactly as I can, including reproducing the problem and testing/probing with my oscilloscope and multimeter (if necessary). From there, I would locate the spare parts, make sure I have the right tools and attempt to repair it. During the repair process, I'd prepare for the possibility that my repair doesn't work or I break the machine, in which case I'd look for a new dryer anyway.
If I am successful in fixing it, I'd plan for replacing that machine in the next few years as more and more parts will start to fail. I feel 10 years is a good lifetime out of a "durable" machine such as that so I'd want to get at least that much lifetime out of it.
If the dryer is still pretty good (when working) compared to a new one and we aren’t rich or an incompetent city boy we’d try to trouble shoot to see what’s wrong, if we could fix it, and compare the price and effort of repairing to a new one.
Then give the wifey the facts and your opinion followed by a grownup discussion of best route to take. Keeping in mind if you agree to a new one she’ll make you buy the matching washer to go with it. And then leave most of the clean clothes ontop of the new units for weeks on end until you have to dig through a 3 foot pile of crinkled clean shirts to find my black socks at 5:45 this morning.
Well it’s literally my job to fix things like that(apartment complex maintenance supervisor), so if anything it’s me telling her we need something new, not her telling me. It’s weird because although I’m a maintenance supervisor, I rent my house and have a maintenance team. So I will at the very least find out what the problem is and then decide if financially I should just get the parts myself with my accounts through work(which cost wise is usually closer to wholesale vs retail) or put in a service request and have my maintenance team handle it.
Stackable washer dryers. But that’s usually because they are put somewhere where I have no room to actually work and they are awkward to move around, if they were in the middle of a big empty room they are relatively easy to work on. But my least favorite thing to work on are ovens. They aren’t as clean as you think they are so as soon as I start digging into it I’m covered in grease. Again, that’s a situational thing though.
Ours broke. Me and my dad unplugged it, flipped it over and turns out it was a ripped belt and we replaced the belt for like $10.
It lived another year and then broke again. Needed a new transmission for simplistic terms. So we got a new one and it works well. But it’s lot louder and takes longer to clean than the old one.
Even though I am an idiot when it comes to repairing stuff, I would still try to repair it (Could hardly break it even more).
Although a repairman could in the end cost you a lot so it would still be a choice wether to call the repairman if i cannot fix it vs buying a new one.
Had a belt break on one, I kept it but got a cheap new one because it would have taken too long to get the parts for the old one. At some point I got a new belt and fixed the old one and it became the backup for the newer one several years later when its control panel broke. Been using the older one again for a couple years now.
I would at least try to find out what the problem is.
If I can identify the problem, I'd see if it's possible to repair it on my own. The internet (especially YouTube) is incredibly helpful for this.
If it seems too complicated, I'd call a technician and ask how much it would be to come and fix it.
Only if the machine is super old and had multiple problems already I'd replace it straight away.
Just a couple of months ago, something was stuck in the coin filter box of our 2 year old washing machine. You know, the filter box that loose items like coins, hairpins etc. will end up in. Some object blocked it so that it could not be removed anymore. I just searched on YouTube and found plenty of instruction videos where people would show how the part looks on the inside, why it can get stuck, and how to disassemble the machine.
First of all I didn't trust myself to take apart the washing machine and thought I'd call for a repair guy, but then the next day said "fuck it, it can't be so hard". So my gf and me gave it a shot by going along with the repair video step by step. We took photos of all the screws where we got them out. My biggest fear is always that I disassemble a thing, but can't put it back together afterwards.
So after removing the back panel, top panel and front panel of the washing machine, we were finally able to access the filter box. Removed the rubber hose leading to it, and pulled it out. It had two hair clips stuck halfway in there. We removed them, cleaned the filter, and reassembled everything.
The whole process took maybe 2 hours at max, didn't cost anything, and it felt great to accomplish it on our own.
I always try to fix things before getting a new one; unless I thought the risks outweigh the advantages of repair.(like if I thought it might be a fire hazard or damage my clothes)
Investigate the issue. Do some basic troubleshooting and research into how difficult it is to fix the issue. If I deem it fixable myself I will make an attempt, otherwise get a repair man out to fix it. Sometimes it can be something as easy as some unknown lint filter being stuck. Seven years is not a long life span for a dryer.
I google the specific model number and the problem. See if there is a simple solution on a forum somewhere. Usually it's something stupid like a sock that got sucked into the wrong place. The most technical repair I had to do was solder a bypass wire onto the circuit board. But it was never much more complicated than that.
This also depends on personal financial position, how competent you feel with repairs, whether less stress of paying for repairman/new dryer is worth to you.
Personally, I'm going to try to identify exactly what wrong and then likely call a repairman to get it running.
How much would my SO feelings matter? Of course, they'd matter but it's not going to change my approach to fixing the issue or how fast that happens.
As someone in another part of the world where DIY isnt prevalent, i would call the company. Ask them to send a technician out and see how much they will charge me. Reject the stupid price, tell them i rather buy a new machine. And get a new machine. I've done this a few times with all my electronics.
A dead dryer isn't the end of the world, clothes can still be dried the old fashioned way while you fix it or find out what's wrong to see if a repairman is worth it.
I would try to find out what the problem is and fix it. I would hate to have to replace it because the odds of finding the exact model could be slim depending on how much time has passed since I bought it. And I know it’s a *me* issue but I can’t have a washer/dryer combo that doesn’t match.
I would try to fix it myself. If my wife said “No I want a knew one”. I’d say “well we can’t afford a new one, I can figure out how to fix it”. Then we go about a week without working laundry, I’d watch a bunch of YouTube videos and drink some beer, then I’d fix it well enough that it works, but not perfect, and we’d just live with the quirk that it has for the next 7 years. And then I’d brag to my friends when they are getting a knew one about how I’d they were manlier like me they’d have fixed it themselves. Then they’d say there wife made them and wouldn’t let them fix it. Then I’d crack a joke about “who sits to pee, and who wears the pants” then we’d laugh and drink beer (or coffee if we are at work).
Repair if possible. My dryer went tits up a while back, it's less than 5 years old. Wasn't heating. Some time with google narrowed down the problem, some time with a multimeter confirmed, and some time with Amazon got me the part. It was about a 30 minute fix once I had the part, and most of that time was getting the back panel off and then back on again.
Me and my missus are both handy. We grab lunch, pull up the manual, crack out the tools, and fix this bitch.
Now if my lady and me weren't both the type to fix it, I would still try to fix it. Dryers are expensive my man and as long as the parts don't cost more then I paid for the unit itself I am gonna try and fix it.
Plus, in my experience, 9/10 it's a belt that got worn through, just order a replacement, clean out the body, and life goes on.
Dryers, thankfully, aren't a confabulation of pieces parts. They are fairly basic. You have a selector switch, heating element, motor, drum belt, and thermoresisters.
First thing I would do is download a schematic of your model. Locate the thermoresistors (usually on the back of the dryer after the panel has been removed). They are cheap, probably a set of them cost less than $30.
Remove the heating element and visually inspect it. There are heating coils and over time can break. If they break, the circuit is broken and they will not heat up. Heating elements can be had for less than $50.
Drum belts are around $20
Dryer motors run about $75
Look up common problems for that make/model on YouTube or google. Then fix it like a man. Take a portion of what you would have spent on a new one and take her out to dinner with it.
It depends on the dryer. It it's a mother board/cpu/chip problem, regarding the controls, it's going to cost you close to what a new machine will to fix. If it's a mechanical issue, you should be able to get it fixed for a couple hundred bucks. Or if you're tool savvy, and mechanically inclined, less than a hundred depending on the parts, but a few hours. What's your time worth to you?
Find out what’s wrong, and fix it. You can find how to fix most things on YouTube. Last year I fixed my AC fan unit for $36 and 10 minutes of time. It would have cost $400 for just the service call alone.
I am just about the least handy person on the planet and I've fixed my dryer four.times now: new rollers, hearing element, and soldered the main board twice. Most of those things were pretty cheap, but the heating element was $160 iirc.
I'm using the word "soldered" very generously. Bought a cheap soldering kit off Amazon and watched a YouTube video on soldering. The fact that I've.had to solder the same contact twice probably tells you all you need to know about my soldering skills.
I would definitely try to find out what exactly is broken and see what a spare part costs
Absolutely. Our dryer stopped working and the problem was a belt that snapped. It cost me $12 and a couple hours work to fix.
When my drive belt snapped we bought a new one, I YouTube’d how to fix my model, then I took mine apart and it looked fuck all like the video. Still fixed it
Yup, same here. Fixed my dryer for less than £10.
Our washer and dryer are from the late 90s and every time something breaks, I just fix it. They are simple models that aren't complicated, but do their job well. Parts are cheap, too. All this new shit is computer controlled board shit that is just waiting for a board to give out.
7yo Dishwasher had the magic smoke escape. Control board fried itself somehow. Piece of cake to repair. Replacement board costs $300. Fuck it went and got a brand new Dishwasher for $500 and called it a day.
Our washer and dryer are already 10+ years old. They've seen a thing or two and have shredded hair pins I their pumps, but they still live. For now the difference in electricity usage compared to new ones isn't big enough to warrant new ones, but eventually I will have to look into that
I have a newer dryer and older washing machine because I'm waiting on the puppy to break... But I always wonder if the advertising is true that the new systems are far more efficient than the old ones
Anecdotally, I hear the new stuff don't wash as well.
I'd give it a kick. If that doesn't work, I'd nod sagely and then buy a new dryer.
Totally depends on what “broken” means in this context. No power, no lights, nothing - look to see if you can confirm it is a replaceable board of some kind and consider a repair man. Works, but doesn’t heat, takes a long time to get anything dry - I have replaced the heating element a few times, find the model, get the part, repair myself. Turns on, lights up, won’t spin or activate, probably replace it and hope the delivery guys will recycle the old one.
I've fixed the last one a few times lol
Yeah, I was intentionally vague. Mostly wondering how much effort a guy puts into doing his own repairs.
I once had one that just ceased working altogether. It was a switch that had stopped working so I just bypassed that switch. I am an electrician which helped of course.
That's cheating. You're skilled and know what to do. The rest of us peons... off to YT or the store for a replacement.
I’m a broke bitch, so as much as I can muster for the cost.
I’ve replaced the motor and heating element on my dryer, just by looking up how to do it on YouTube videos. No prior experience in appliance repair. A new heating element was $30, and a new motor was $70.
Could probably do a motor, but start to worry more about balance, etc, plus almost double the cost. I guess I’m more likely to do the things I learned how to do on YouTube when I had less money : )
(part cost+difficulty+time) vs (cost to buy new one.) I recently had a dryer stop working. * I Googled the specific problem. Found multiple sources saying it was the belt. * Looked up the cost of the belt. * Looked up a video on how hard it was to replace the belt. Everything seemed relatively easy. So we fixed it. That's about how I handle any situation like that. Did the same thing for backlights going out on my TV. If it's too much effort or technical I will buy a new one. If I feel I can repair it myself and I can be 90%+ sure I know what the problem is.. I'll just do it myself
This, for anything in the house that breaks. Look it up, see if you feel comfortable to try to fix it, and what the price difference is. I usually look at what my hourly rate would be if the fix works. Saving €300,- by fumbling around for a couple hours? Haven’t found an employer who would pay that rate. I also have the mentality of; I can’t use it in its current state. If I destroy it while working on it, it doesn’t matter, because I would need to buy a new one anyway. So I can try, possibly save some money, and if it dies in the process, at least I gave it a shot.
don’t you love when it’s a common “solved” problem with a quick fix posted somewhere on the internet… reddit is notorious for that
Between Reddit, YouTube and 15 year old Whirlpool forums there's a solution to almost every problem
Look into fixing it. 1. Is it not heating? clean the vent line thoroughly (could be the issue). If not the issue i'd find a manual and see about a replacement heating element. 2. Drum not rotating. Usually a belt or a motor. Again manual and try to replace. 3. Electronics. Eh, I might see how many boards there are and look on ebay but if more than 2 I would scrap the self work most likely.
My wife would try to fix it herself before I even got home.
Are you my husband? I’m just glad you like to cook or I’d die of starvation long before the dryer broke!
Dryers are pretty simple. You've got a motor that spins and a thing that makes heat. The part that supplies electricity is dangerous, so avoid that. If it still has electricity, then you can go from there. If the clothes aren't drying, then make sure it still has heat. If it still has heat, then it probably can't breathe and get the excess moisture out. Check the vent. If the motor doesn't turn the drum, then you can fix it. It might have a broken belt or a broken tension wheel. Those parts don't cost much. Google the make/model of the dryer. Google the symptoms. I've repaired clothes dryers many times and haven't had to use a tool more complicated than a screwdriver. Again, if it has no power, then back away. Be very careful. Dryers use a lot of voltage and can cook you like popcorn if you're not careful.
Yeah, I am a cheap bastard and have a very hard time spending money on stuff that generally is not that hard to fix. It really comes down to how long it is going to take to repair it and how long I can deal with an unhappy spouse.
>and how long I can deal with an unhappy spouse. This amount of time is zero. Explain what you're doing and how you aim to fix the problem. That should do it.
They aren’t too hard to troubleshoot. Toss clothes in and see if they get hot. If they do, check the exhaust. If they don’t, then there may just be a fuse or element or something not working. You can meter these out. You can also pay someone to do it.
There are so many resources to learn how to fix things these days. I would definitely look into the problem first and how to fix it - the amount of times I have saved something that was to be thrown away amazes me. Eg an old dryer broke and it was just the plug that needed to be replaced, $10 vs $700 fix to a problem.
I'd just buy a new one. Not everyone can, though.
My wife would just tell me it's not working, not that we 'need' a new one. I'd do some basic troubleshooting, check heating/venting. If I can't figure it out in 10 minutes, I've got a bunch of contacts I could ask for help. I've worked in construction for a long time, so I've usually got a guy for any subject that I can reach out to if I run into something I can't fix.
Figure out what's wrong with it and work out if it'd be cheaper to fix it or get a new one.
I would search youtube for repair videos and try to fix it myself.
Basically, unless it involves plumbing or electrical wiring, ill try to fix it. Youtube is pretty handy these days for tutorials and guides, and alot of maintenance/repair videos get posted by manufacturers or repairmen making it super easy to follow and trust.
I had a 20 + year set. The old ones were easy to fix until rust kicked in on the washer so I bought new. Single here but my married buddies said when goes their spouse want both brand new. The dryer still does the job. With the Internet, Internet, and a good multimeter most items are fixable by DIY.
I'd be googling to identify and solve the issue. Spare parts and install them on my own. Sounds like a weekend project. Record yourself disassembling the machine- if you forget how to put it back together, rewatch the video.
The relationship doesn't affect the decision. First thing to do is try to repair it myself (granted, I am not good at these things), then call a repairman and let him have a go. Only if the repairman says that it is beyond repair or the repair will cost $$$ do you go out and buy a new one.
Probably the heater element. Repair myself and enjoy the challenge.
Wouldn't be the first appliance I fixed. Wouldn't even be the first dryer. I'd give it a shot, at least.
She just wants a new shiny one with a melodic chime and some futuristic design because of marketing, women are the perfect target for it.
Repair the drier. I have a good appliance man. Keep junk out of the landfill. Repairs are simple for the expert. My drier is now 25 years old, or more. 2 repairs in that time.
I’m 100% going to diagnose the problem and fix it. It’s usually some simple part that’s under $100 and I don’t need a repair guy to fix a dryer. Also, my wife knows how frivolous and wasteful the “throw it away and buy a new one” mindset is, so she pretty much always asks “hey can you take a look at this thing that’s not working?” if she can’t figure it out herself. That said, if you’re not mechanically-minded or comfortable working with electricity, call a repair guy.
I'm not terribly handy but I can do a thing or two. I'd look and see if it's something obvious before just buying a new dryer
I can't afford to replace a now-$1,000 machine with a stuck belt, so I would see if that's the problem first.
I would try to fix it. Odds are that it is a belt, bering, or element and the dryer can likely be fixed for under $100.
Call a repairman because I know as much about dryers as I do about microwaves. Each has one setting I actually used plus a Start button.
Our old house (renting it out, now) still has a 16-year-old dryer (front loader) that I basically rebuilt. Replaced the heating element in the back Replaced the bearing drum rest (completely worn out) Replaced the belt And after 16 years, it's still working 💪💪 FWIW, I've changed the water pump on the washing machine twice - and it's still going strong, too
Try to fix it. If not then buy a commercial dryer.
mine had no heat, it was a $5 thermal fuse. Would replace it a few times a year. Finally replaced the heating element $80, no issues since in over a year. I'd spend all day trying to fix something before giving up. I got good at taking it apart.
YouTube the make and model. Google can help too. Surprising how Cheap and easy some appliances are to fix.
If it’s not a quick fix, just find a $100-200 used Maytag. Probably last another 10 years.
Definitely open it up and see if its a easy or economical fix. I'd discuss and involve my GF on the economic pros and cons once I had carried out an initial assessment.
I’d take a peak, if I can’t sort it out I’d see what a professional would charge and probably go that route, they say it’s gone tits up, then and only then do I buy a new dryer.
I would do both. First, to solve the immediate problem, i would look if it's fixable, and if so, fix it. But i also know that once things break down, especially after 7 years, more stuff will break down soon. So after my duct tape solution, i would look up current reviews, pick a decent one, and order it. My wife won't really pressure me for this, because she has the same attitude: we have a 'now' problem, and we have a future problem. Both need fixing. But buying stuff under pressure is never a good thing
I would attempt to fix it. If the task goes bad, replace it. Might as well attempt to save a few hundreds
Could I likely try to troubleshoot it? Sure. But I really don't want to waste my solitary day off spending all day trying to figure it out and having to order parts that may or may not work. Waiting on them to get delivered, which could be anything from a couple of days to sometime next week to get here. Then have to wait until my next day off to try it and see if that actually fixes it. And if it doesn't, having to spend another unknown amount of time waiting on different parts, that may or may not actually fix it. All the while having to go to a laundromat to do my laundry. So I'd likely just buy a new one. It'd would just be easier and I can afford it.
Troubleshoot it to see if it is repairable
I would first find the issue as exactly as I can, including reproducing the problem and testing/probing with my oscilloscope and multimeter (if necessary). From there, I would locate the spare parts, make sure I have the right tools and attempt to repair it. During the repair process, I'd prepare for the possibility that my repair doesn't work or I break the machine, in which case I'd look for a new dryer anyway. If I am successful in fixing it, I'd plan for replacing that machine in the next few years as more and more parts will start to fail. I feel 10 years is a good lifetime out of a "durable" machine such as that so I'd want to get at least that much lifetime out of it.
If the dryer is still pretty good (when working) compared to a new one and we aren’t rich or an incompetent city boy we’d try to trouble shoot to see what’s wrong, if we could fix it, and compare the price and effort of repairing to a new one. Then give the wifey the facts and your opinion followed by a grownup discussion of best route to take. Keeping in mind if you agree to a new one she’ll make you buy the matching washer to go with it. And then leave most of the clean clothes ontop of the new units for weeks on end until you have to dig through a 3 foot pile of crinkled clean shirts to find my black socks at 5:45 this morning.
The wind works for free. Why would I need a tumble dryer?
Well it’s literally my job to fix things like that(apartment complex maintenance supervisor), so if anything it’s me telling her we need something new, not her telling me. It’s weird because although I’m a maintenance supervisor, I rent my house and have a maintenance team. So I will at the very least find out what the problem is and then decide if financially I should just get the parts myself with my accounts through work(which cost wise is usually closer to wholesale vs retail) or put in a service request and have my maintenance team handle it.
What things are a real pain to fix?
Stackable washer dryers. But that’s usually because they are put somewhere where I have no room to actually work and they are awkward to move around, if they were in the middle of a big empty room they are relatively easy to work on. But my least favorite thing to work on are ovens. They aren’t as clean as you think they are so as soon as I start digging into it I’m covered in grease. Again, that’s a situational thing though.
Ours broke. Me and my dad unplugged it, flipped it over and turns out it was a ripped belt and we replaced the belt for like $10. It lived another year and then broke again. Needed a new transmission for simplistic terms. So we got a new one and it works well. But it’s lot louder and takes longer to clean than the old one.
I’d do basic troubleshooting, beyond that warranty or replacement Zero influences to that decision
Even though I am an idiot when it comes to repairing stuff, I would still try to repair it (Could hardly break it even more). Although a repairman could in the end cost you a lot so it would still be a choice wether to call the repairman if i cannot fix it vs buying a new one.
Had a belt break on one, I kept it but got a cheap new one because it would have taken too long to get the parts for the old one. At some point I got a new belt and fixed the old one and it became the backup for the newer one several years later when its control panel broke. Been using the older one again for a couple years now.
I would at least try to find out what the problem is. If I can identify the problem, I'd see if it's possible to repair it on my own. The internet (especially YouTube) is incredibly helpful for this. If it seems too complicated, I'd call a technician and ask how much it would be to come and fix it. Only if the machine is super old and had multiple problems already I'd replace it straight away. Just a couple of months ago, something was stuck in the coin filter box of our 2 year old washing machine. You know, the filter box that loose items like coins, hairpins etc. will end up in. Some object blocked it so that it could not be removed anymore. I just searched on YouTube and found plenty of instruction videos where people would show how the part looks on the inside, why it can get stuck, and how to disassemble the machine. First of all I didn't trust myself to take apart the washing machine and thought I'd call for a repair guy, but then the next day said "fuck it, it can't be so hard". So my gf and me gave it a shot by going along with the repair video step by step. We took photos of all the screws where we got them out. My biggest fear is always that I disassemble a thing, but can't put it back together afterwards. So after removing the back panel, top panel and front panel of the washing machine, we were finally able to access the filter box. Removed the rubber hose leading to it, and pulled it out. It had two hair clips stuck halfway in there. We removed them, cleaned the filter, and reassembled everything. The whole process took maybe 2 hours at max, didn't cost anything, and it felt great to accomplish it on our own.
I always try to fix things before getting a new one; unless I thought the risks outweigh the advantages of repair.(like if I thought it might be a fire hazard or damage my clothes)
Investigate the issue. Do some basic troubleshooting and research into how difficult it is to fix the issue. If I deem it fixable myself I will make an attempt, otherwise get a repair man out to fix it. Sometimes it can be something as easy as some unknown lint filter being stuck. Seven years is not a long life span for a dryer.
Try to repair it if I can’t repair it then I would buy a new one
I google the specific model number and the problem. See if there is a simple solution on a forum somewhere. Usually it's something stupid like a sock that got sucked into the wrong place. The most technical repair I had to do was solder a bypass wire onto the circuit board. But it was never much more complicated than that.
This also depends on personal financial position, how competent you feel with repairs, whether less stress of paying for repairman/new dryer is worth to you. Personally, I'm going to try to identify exactly what wrong and then likely call a repairman to get it running. How much would my SO feelings matter? Of course, they'd matter but it's not going to change my approach to fixing the issue or how fast that happens.
As someone in another part of the world where DIY isnt prevalent, i would call the company. Ask them to send a technician out and see how much they will charge me. Reject the stupid price, tell them i rather buy a new machine. And get a new machine. I've done this a few times with all my electronics.
We had a sensor break in our $50 dollar Craigslist dryer. $7 dollar part and 30mins of work DIY
https://www.instagram.com/derrickwith2rs_?igsh=aXR1cjVqd2M3dDlj This dude has great vids on how to approach appliances and do maintenance
A dead dryer isn't the end of the world, clothes can still be dried the old fashioned way while you fix it or find out what's wrong to see if a repairman is worth it.
I would try to find out what the problem is and fix it. I would hate to have to replace it because the odds of finding the exact model could be slim depending on how much time has passed since I bought it. And I know it’s a *me* issue but I can’t have a washer/dryer combo that doesn’t match.
Yeah, I have a wife that think they need to match as well.
I would (and have) fix it. Especially if it's a non digital controller. Not much can really go wrong and I have saved hundreds of dollars by YouTube.
Don't use a dryer in the first place. Drying racks for the win.
Dryers are super simple machines and very easy to troubleshoot and fix.
Sometimes it is obvious and easy, when it is not, toss it.
I would try to fix it myself. If my wife said “No I want a knew one”. I’d say “well we can’t afford a new one, I can figure out how to fix it”. Then we go about a week without working laundry, I’d watch a bunch of YouTube videos and drink some beer, then I’d fix it well enough that it works, but not perfect, and we’d just live with the quirk that it has for the next 7 years. And then I’d brag to my friends when they are getting a knew one about how I’d they were manlier like me they’d have fixed it themselves. Then they’d say there wife made them and wouldn’t let them fix it. Then I’d crack a joke about “who sits to pee, and who wears the pants” then we’d laugh and drink beer (or coffee if we are at work).
Repair if possible. My dryer went tits up a while back, it's less than 5 years old. Wasn't heating. Some time with google narrowed down the problem, some time with a multimeter confirmed, and some time with Amazon got me the part. It was about a 30 minute fix once I had the part, and most of that time was getting the back panel off and then back on again.
Me and my missus are both handy. We grab lunch, pull up the manual, crack out the tools, and fix this bitch. Now if my lady and me weren't both the type to fix it, I would still try to fix it. Dryers are expensive my man and as long as the parts don't cost more then I paid for the unit itself I am gonna try and fix it. Plus, in my experience, 9/10 it's a belt that got worn through, just order a replacement, clean out the body, and life goes on.
Dryers, thankfully, aren't a confabulation of pieces parts. They are fairly basic. You have a selector switch, heating element, motor, drum belt, and thermoresisters. First thing I would do is download a schematic of your model. Locate the thermoresistors (usually on the back of the dryer after the panel has been removed). They are cheap, probably a set of them cost less than $30. Remove the heating element and visually inspect it. There are heating coils and over time can break. If they break, the circuit is broken and they will not heat up. Heating elements can be had for less than $50. Drum belts are around $20 Dryer motors run about $75
Look up common problems for that make/model on YouTube or google. Then fix it like a man. Take a portion of what you would have spent on a new one and take her out to dinner with it.
7, I'd repair. Ours was from 1990, replaced it. The gas one in my old house from 1978 is still going strong.
It depends on the dryer. It it's a mother board/cpu/chip problem, regarding the controls, it's going to cost you close to what a new machine will to fix. If it's a mechanical issue, you should be able to get it fixed for a couple hundred bucks. Or if you're tool savvy, and mechanically inclined, less than a hundred depending on the parts, but a few hours. What's your time worth to you?
Try to fix it first.
Try to fix it first.
Find out what’s wrong, and fix it. You can find how to fix most things on YouTube. Last year I fixed my AC fan unit for $36 and 10 minutes of time. It would have cost $400 for just the service call alone.
I am just about the least handy person on the planet and I've fixed my dryer four.times now: new rollers, hearing element, and soldered the main board twice. Most of those things were pretty cheap, but the heating element was $160 iirc.
“Least handy person on the planet” “Soldered the main board twice”
I'm using the word "soldered" very generously. Bought a cheap soldering kit off Amazon and watched a YouTube video on soldering. The fact that I've.had to solder the same contact twice probably tells you all you need to know about my soldering skills.
Buy a new one