09-11-2019, 02:48 PM
I STF'd first, and had seen some old threads on these kinds of issues... I'm a relatively new homeowner, so this is the first time I've had to deal with something like this.
I have a Frigidaire "laundry center" (integrated washer / electric dryer), where the dryer is no longer working (washer part is still working OK).
I've looked up and found error codes (on a Sears parts site) that the dryer is giving. I called a local repairman and told him about the error codes ... obviously he'd have to come out and look at it to figure out exactly what's wrong, but from what I was describing, he seemed to think most likely was the drive motor... which would not be a cheap repair. (He charges $80 for the service visit and said that if it is the drive motor, the whole repair could end up costing up to $500, $300 or so for the parts and $200 or so for the labor... could be less than that, depending on what's wrong with it.)
So ... I'm looking at a few different options, considering that I'm rather cash-strapped at the moment:
1) Trying to repair it myself; found a pretty good website which has all the parts for sale and tells you what could be wrong under each situation. The advantage here would be the price... the parts are all reasonably priced, and obviously I wouldn't be paying for repair. As you all know, I'm reasonably handy... but I did watch a video on how to take the thing apart, and it's really quite involved, maybe beyond my skill / patience level;
2) Getting the repairperson to just do the repair, and just coughing up whatever cash is required;
3) Maybe considering to buy a home warranty program, waiting a bit, then trying to claim it under that (this would have the advantage of also covering other appliances). Seems like most warranties fall around $500-600/year + $60-80 per service call. I'd previously had a home warranty when I first bought the house, but let it expire... wasn't too impressed with the company or their service;
4) Buying a new (used) dryer or possibly the combo washer/dryer ... these are being sold locally for very cheap, much less than the repair estimate. The problem here of course is that you don't know what you're getting with a used appliance, and also ... since I have an integrated washer/dryer now, if I bought just a dryer, it would mean having to find space for an extra dryer somewhere in the house;
5) Buying a whole new washer/dryer (stackable, would have to be compact to fit in the space where the current laundry center is) ... I have a relative who is willing to help me out with buying new, and I've done some initial research that suggests that LG is a pretty popular brand, but I also notice that the compact versions of washer/dryers seem to get not as good reviews as the normal sized. (The problem for me is that I don't really have anywhere else in the house that I could easily put a whole normal sized washer/dryer...)
What do you all think? Any useful advice appreciated... TiA
I have a Frigidaire "laundry center" (integrated washer / electric dryer), where the dryer is no longer working (washer part is still working OK).
I've looked up and found error codes (on a Sears parts site) that the dryer is giving. I called a local repairman and told him about the error codes ... obviously he'd have to come out and look at it to figure out exactly what's wrong, but from what I was describing, he seemed to think most likely was the drive motor... which would not be a cheap repair. (He charges $80 for the service visit and said that if it is the drive motor, the whole repair could end up costing up to $500, $300 or so for the parts and $200 or so for the labor... could be less than that, depending on what's wrong with it.)
So ... I'm looking at a few different options, considering that I'm rather cash-strapped at the moment:
1) Trying to repair it myself; found a pretty good website which has all the parts for sale and tells you what could be wrong under each situation. The advantage here would be the price... the parts are all reasonably priced, and obviously I wouldn't be paying for repair. As you all know, I'm reasonably handy... but I did watch a video on how to take the thing apart, and it's really quite involved, maybe beyond my skill / patience level;
2) Getting the repairperson to just do the repair, and just coughing up whatever cash is required;
3) Maybe considering to buy a home warranty program, waiting a bit, then trying to claim it under that (this would have the advantage of also covering other appliances). Seems like most warranties fall around $500-600/year + $60-80 per service call. I'd previously had a home warranty when I first bought the house, but let it expire... wasn't too impressed with the company or their service;
4) Buying a new (used) dryer or possibly the combo washer/dryer ... these are being sold locally for very cheap, much less than the repair estimate. The problem here of course is that you don't know what you're getting with a used appliance, and also ... since I have an integrated washer/dryer now, if I bought just a dryer, it would mean having to find space for an extra dryer somewhere in the house;
5) Buying a whole new washer/dryer (stackable, would have to be compact to fit in the space where the current laundry center is) ... I have a relative who is willing to help me out with buying new, and I've done some initial research that suggests that LG is a pretty popular brand, but I also notice that the compact versions of washer/dryers seem to get not as good reviews as the normal sized. (The problem for me is that I don't really have anywhere else in the house that I could easily put a whole normal sized washer/dryer...)
What do you all think? Any useful advice appreciated... TiA