Window dilemma: how to replace vs repair
Louise A
5 years ago
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Louise A
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Coils Rusting on Air Handler - Replace vs Repair
Comments (13)The first guy you had out isn't giving bs. I am not aware of any system that will allow mixing refrigerant and I wouldn't recommend using this system if it did exist. As noted, mixing two kinds of oils isn't possible and will result in more costly repairs. Do you realize a 15 yr old system is costing you most likely 50% more each month on utility bills. Basically your making monthly payments on a unit on borrowed time with no warranties. Definitely get several quotes. Don't worry there are professionals that can help and recommend what's best for your needs. Just know it's not going to be cheap. But will be a great investment in the short run. And call companies that have references and offer 100% customer satisfaction in writing. You won't go wrong. And yes ACCA is a good place to get references....See MoreRepair, Don't Replace, Old Wood Windows
Comments (154)Mary, Are you referring to window restoration or just sealing up some existing windows? The two are going to be very different type professionals. If it it just sealing up some exterior trim on windows, a decent painter can do that. If its window restoration, that is a different ball of wax. Window restoration is a very niché marketplace. The best thing to do is start with a Google area search near your home and especially in those areas that are more heavily concentrated in older homes. Next would be to ask around any of the historic districts that are in your area and see who they might have a list for. Hope this helps....See MoreRepair or Replace Dilemma
Comments (7)So what brands does your favorite repair shop service? That would be where I would start. It is imperative that you have convenient local service. You have more than gotten your money's worth from that Asko. In my experience 10 years plus or minus is the average useful life of current washers. My front load Whirlpool lasted 9.5 years before the repair was about two thirds of the price of a new one. Not a difficult choice. I had appliance life confirmed by a Sears employee where I purchased my last machine. This was after a very bad experience with a big box store and a return because I was not satisfied at Sears. The Speed Queen is the favorite top loader now available. You may know Speed Queen is famous for commercial laundry equipment. Not too long ago, SQ introdced a new residential front loader that was favorable reviewed on this forum. Note, they are not cheap by any means. SQ was too small for the amount of laundry I do. The TL was like my old Maytag from "back in the day" very reliable and steady with no bells and whistles. In terms of efficiency, you get what you pay for. In my opinion, none of the top load He machines, regardless of price, get clothes clean. The lower priced front loaders and top loaders have lots of plastic and are prone to break. There is also initial manufacturing quality. Please be sure you preview the actual model you are considering to be sure you like things like where the filters are located, the finish on the metal edges, and whether the machine comes unbalanced easily under a heavy load of work clothes or towels. I found the no fault return policy both at my local Big Box and Sears helpful in making sure the machine would really handle my regular loads of towels and pillows and sleeping bags without dancing across the floor. Unless it is important to you, your dryer doesn't have to match your washer. I paid a little more for the washer and then balanced it with a no frills dryer that does a great job. My pair are both white Kenmores that were much cheaper than the matched set. My washer is a Kenmore built by LG. The Kenmore dryer is built by Whirlpool. I avoided Samsung due to too much plastic and poor service, Whirlpool due to filter design. GE for poor construction and performance and regretfully, Electrolux, no service in my area. The Askos and Mieles were out of my price range and the Blombergs are just too small. Good Luck shopping....See MoreWasher repair vs. replace during COVID, great outcome.
Comments (15)@dadoes good point and examples of plastic gears, seems likely an engineering decision to create a replaceable weak link to protect the mechanism similar to a shear pin. In the case of my machine’s common Maytag transmission, the aftermarket has a solution shown in the pic below. This seems to be the “shear pin” which fails. Not an easy job to remove and disassemble the transmission, and in my case replacing all 3 bearings and two tub seals was a good move given the age and hard use. Paying a pro to do the job would be cost prohibitive, but for a DIY’er it’s doable and cheap....See Moremillworkman
5 years agoLouise A
5 years agoUser
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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