My 15 year old washing machine is starting to leak.

Question

Looking at buying new but don't know if I want the new HE or the 'old fashioned'.  Does anyone have any pros and cons for me?

Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs · Answer

Clare can you be a little clear on what you meant by 'HE' Vs Old fashioned? I recently purchased Whirlpool top load and haven't had any complaints yet. The best place to get more information about W&D's is the consumer report for 2011. I suggest you look into the models that are Energy Star certified.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

I installed a set of LG front loads for a client Early this year...she says they are fantastic.

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Clare,
I'm assuming you mean 'high efficiency' model. We replaced our old Kenmores with a new set of Frigidaire 'Affinity' series front-load units last year. Absolutely no complaints at this point; they work great. I couldn't tell you if they work better or worse than our previous units or whether they are in fact high-efficiency or not since I have nothing to compare it to. I just know they work.
One note on appliances. There are much fewer manufacturers of appliances than one would think. Each manufacturer has a number of 'lines' they produce and sell in a variety of stores under a variety of brand names; other than which name plaque they put on it at the end of the line or a couple of small variations in details, many brands are identical in quality/parts/etc...
Also, don't get suckered in by those that look like an airliner cockpit with 25 buttons and 55 possible settings as opposed to the same version with fewer buttons and fewer settings. You'll pay a premium for features that you will never use much less be aware of. I have flown aircraft that took less time to get acquainted with than some of the  washer models out there.

Willow House | Simply Good Design · Answer

Unless you go used, you can't really go old-fashioned anymore! With that said, we bought a top-loading Whirlpool Cabrio set several months ago and have really liked them. It's different, though! My hubby wishes he'd paid the extra money for a glass lid so that he can see what really goes on in that washer! :-)

Cheryl F · Answer

@Willow House - tell your husband not to worry about the glass lid...Mine came with one, and I can tell you that they collect dust/lint like crazy!  After you watch the thing for a few minutes, the thrill is kind of gone ;)

Cheryl F · Answer

@ClareH I like my he washer...but I ALWAYS use that extra rinse.

Paul M · Answer

If it is leaking at the water pump it is a cheap and easy fix versus buying a new one.

Cheryl D · Answer

Hi Clare, I just bought a Maytag HE Bravos and it is amazing.  It doesn't have an agitator uses very little water and still gets the clothes clean.  Have to be careful about settings the spin gets clothes so dry they don't have to stay in dryer as long but don't use high spin on dress shirts etc.  too many wrinkles.getting used to it but it's great.

Clare H · Answer

YaminiM LEED AP - thanks for the Consumer Reports reminder!  Paul M - I'll check and see if I can find the source of the leak.  Everyone - I appreciate your input.  Maybe HE would be ok.  It's good to know they really work!

Elsie Juanita S · Answer

I like a top loader

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Clare,
I agree with looking at Consumer Reports, but I take their opinion with a grain of salt. I bought a 1985 VW Vanagon against their advice; put 120k miles and 10 years on it; was the best car I ever had with the exception of a current Honda.
Also, my perspective on repairing vs replacing. A 15 yo washer that is working okay (not leaking) is worth how much? Maybe $75 at best...? 
A 15 yo washer that is leaking is worth how much? Zero; nothing...unless you scrap it for $3...or as much as $10 from a repair guy that needs a part off it.... and how do you find him?
So, spend $150 in labor and $75 in parts ($225) to repair your 15 yo washer. What is it worth then? Still $75, anyway you cut it.
Unless you can find a used part dirt cheap and get hubby to install it, it's not even close to being worth it. Buy a new one... Tim

Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs · Answer

Clare, No problem, The Consumer report guide will shortlist for you and makes life easier. Good Luck!

Robin · Answer

I prefer the top loader with a long cold water wash..I have been told by front loader owneers that after a while they develop an oder..they now have a cleaner to handle this problem..sounds like just one more thing to deal with to me..good luck.

Paul M · Answer

Well if you are going to repair it Tim it always helps cut your cost if you can do it yourself. Most of those pumps are easy to get to and easy to swap out. But then again I don't have a problem figuring things out and if there is only something minor wrong with anything I would rather fix it than replace it.

So the new one to fix may be 225 but to replace it how much? 6,7,800 or higher? Personally I would find out what is wrong with it first and if it was minor I would fix it, if it was major I would replace it but hey that is just me being as frugal as I can be.

Clare H · Answer

Tim of Hewitt and Paul:  I'm all about saving money!  Hubby can take it apart and evaluate.  Also, it seems top loaders are edging out the front loaders.  This is really helping!!!

Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC · Answer

Paul,
Well said, my friend. I absolutely agree with your thoughts. I think the point I was trying to emphasize is there is a point in the useful life of every machine where it is no longer economically feasible to keep expending assets to keep it functioning. Some situations are clear-cut; most are not. If it were going to cost Clare $500 to fix, then the answer to me is clear....new machine. If it were in the $100-$400 range, not so clear. Less than $100, then it becomes clear again...fix it.
If Clare doesn't have the means to purchase a new machine, then the answer is clear again... fix it and hope for the best.
Again, just trying to offer a different line of thought in regards to the often difficult decision of repair or replace. In fact, I agree with your recommendation to investigate; if it's minor repair; if it's major, replace..Tim

Paul M · Answer

Yep yep I am with you all the way Tim. Sometimes it is hard to tell when it is time to spend the money for the replacement and that is why it is so important to get feed back, suggestions, and then digest all the information as well as look at field conditions. In the end all we want to do is make a good informed decision so we won't have look back and say 'Darn I wish I hadn't done that!'. That is why a site like this is so helpful to everyone that participates. And we are definitely on the same page.

Willow House | Simply Good Design · Answer

Thanks, Cheryl F -- like I need one more thing to clean! I agree with Cheryl D about the spin on a top-load HE -- very effective, and no more worry about bulky things unbalancing the drum. Our salesman told us not to fiddle much with the settings, and that most of our clothes can just be washed on 'casual'; seems to work great.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Trouble shooting the leak may be as simple as a split in one of the hoses, a crack in the pump housing or some unseen thing in the wash tub itself.  Costs on these repairs can vary widely.   Finding a replacement tub on a 15 yo machine may be a very big challenge.  Let the diagnosis ...dictate the treatment plan.  From cheapo repair to an new machine

Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl · Answer

Love our HE washer. But you have to leave the door open to dry out afterwards or itbwill get stinky

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

My wife likes our new front load HE machines, but still feels the old top load that used a lot of water got the whites cleaner.

Carol S · Answer

I bought a Bosch HE front load washer. The motor had to be replaced before it was 7yrs. old. My other Bosch appliances have held up well.

Baby H · Answer

I checked out consumer reports and found the Samsungs front loaders were rated #1 and also Sears customers had them number 1. So I purchased them last month! So far so good. You will need to wipe the rim of the washer to keep them mold and stanky free

Deb B · Answer

i have had 2 he machines and i have reduced the water bill and electric in our home this way but u have to be careful and use only he soap that is not liquid that some people don't tell  us

Baby H · Answer

Hello, I have the Samsung front loaders I got from Sears and so far so I love them!

Clare H · Answer

Thanks everyone!  What a great website!

My 15 year old washing machine is starting to leak.

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My 15 year old washing machine is starting to leak.

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