Woe unto me....I think my appliances are out to get me

[southern_redhead]

Last month I had not one but TWO hot water heaters that had to be replaced. The bottom rusted out of both.......simultaneously. To be fair they were 25+ years old (the plumber told me best of luck getting that long out of a new one LOL) but it stung a little all the same. Of course, that couldn't be all. While replacing them they found a burst pipe under our house that had to be replaced ($ for pipe and labor) and the leak ran our water bill up $100 extra last month.

This morning I got up and started to unload the dishwasher. When I opened the door I found water standing in the bottom. Crud. I hit drain. Nothing. I hit rinse, again NOTHING. I called the repair man. He gave me a certificate of death he said he will try to fix it but if the pump and motor are all one piece it can't be done. He said with it being seven years old and dishwashers running around $250 median I'll probably come close to breaking even on replacing it vs repairing it anyway since it is the pump that has gone out. He also told me 7 years was about life expectancy on dishwashers now, 10 if you are lucky. Fabulous.

If one more appliance dies on me (or is this a suicide pact between my machines?) I am going to become Amish. This is ridiculous.

 

[Coll0610]

Check with your water department on the increased bill because of the leak. Sometimes they will reduce it if you show that you fixed the leak. Might get you back something to put towards the dishwasher!

 

[southern_redhead]

Thanks. I hadn't thought of asking them. DH did mention it when he went to pay the bill but they didn't offer any fixes. I may call and have a chat with someone though. Couldn't hurt

 

[*Seanaci*]

Oh dear. You poor thing. Blast those darn appliance.

Let's see though...2 hot water heaters...and a dishwater...that's 3 items. So, you should be good now (I'm not counting the broken pipe though ...).

Good luck!

 

[Kay1]

Okay, that's it, no more breakdowns for you. You've had more than your fair share, southern_redhead.

Here's wishing you smooth sailing from here on out.

 

[DAPford]

all the appliances in my house are having a competation to see who get replaced first so we are just holding off till one actually breaks beyond repair
the washer has been "fixed" twice the stove burners and oven are not heating evenly the dishwasher was "broken" and "fixed" by my DSS 23 when we went camping in August and the frig is definatly due to go due to age but I refuse to replace them until they die !!!!!! just keep adding to the appliance fund to avoid having to charge whichever goes first

 

[JandJ]

I had to laugh when I read your post topic because my washing machine lid keeps falling on my hand, my head, my elbow, whatever is in it's way and I swear it is out to get me

Sorry for your recent bad appliance karma

 

[southern_redhead]

I had to laugh when I read your post topic because my washing machine lid keeps falling on my hand, my head, my elbow, whatever is in it's way and I swear it is out to get me

Sorry for your recent bad appliance karma

LOL This made me laugh. Only because it has happened to me to My washer gets off balance on occasion and it jumps around when it does. Well, it sits under a shelf and it had moved back further than I thought. When I raised the lid it stuck on the shelf and I thought "Oh well, I'll scoot it out after I unload it." Mistake! As I was unloading it the lid came free and slammed down on my nose. I had a bump and a bruise for a few days after that. It hurt so bad I cried, I just knew my nose was broken. So, I can commiserate with a washing machine sneak attack!

 

[cheshireqt]

Take a lesson from us...replace the dishwasher, don't fix it. Ours was 2 yrs old, died on the 22nd of Dec. Were informed by KitchenAid that it was no longer covered under warranty. They recommended a repair company. The repair man showed up on time on the 24th and said the motor needed to be replaced, to the tune of 220 dollars. Umm no thanks, "well" he said, "just my showing up is costing you $160!!!!" So $380 later I have a fixed 2 yr old dishwasher. After Christmas the sales offers piled up in my mailbox (sears, bestbuy etc). Same dishwasher, new, would have cost $320 if we had waited just one week.
Then of course in January the Washing machine stopped working and the dryer started making funny noises again (we have fixed it twice). Even though both were only 11 yrs old, we did not call a soul, they were outta there, and the new coveted by me front loaders were in. Waiting to see who else decides to give up the ghost - we have plenty of appliances to choose from.
Hey the Amish thing is starting to sound good, but I have electric heat and stove/oven so that would not work for me.

 

[iluveeyore]

I have to join your pity party - last week our fridge died, then I went to get my laundry out and the spin cycle wasn't working. So waiting for new fridge and washing machine - thank goodness for 'don't pay for 16 months' financing or we'd be out of luck. Then yesterday my daughter's laptop charger decided not to work anymore, and her warranty was up two days ago - it's $65 for a new one! Yeesh, I'm scared to use anything electronic in our house!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

SSSSHHHHH! I think it's a conspiracy.... Don't let them hear you!!

 

[Mixie]

Maybe this will cheer you up: New water heaters will be way more energy efficient than the old ones - in the long run you will be saving money.

Not sure how old the washer was but perhaps the same can be said there, too.

 

[CTdiznymom]

Thought I was in the market for a new dishwasher as it was making a ghastly noise. Really wanted to get a new one, then DH said to call the repairman. He found a tiny piece of chipped plate in the mechanism- $160 for a tiny piece of pottery! No new machine for me. Oh well.

 

[eliza61]

Last month I had not one but TWO hot water heaters that had to be replaced. The bottom rusted out of both.......simultaneously. To be fair they were 25+ years old (the plumber told me best of luck getting that long out of a new one LOL) but it stung a little all the same. Of course, that couldn't be all. While replacing them they found a burst pipe under our house that had to be replaced ($ for pipe and labor) and the leak ran our water bill up $100 extra last month.

If one more appliance dies on me (or is this a suicide pact between my machines?) I am going to become Amish. This is ridiculous.

It is a suicide pact. I'm in the same boat. Unfortunately every appliance in my house is about 16-18 years old. Now my head keeps telling me that, that's a pretty good run for my money but my wallet last year was crying like a baby.

Last year I depleted and when I say depleted I mean seriously put a hurting on my emergency savings account.

1) needed roof repair $10K
2) airconditioner went $6K
3) washer replaced $400 bucks
4) hot water heater replaced $1500
5) dryer is now making a strange noise, it's 16 years old also so I know it's up next.

I keep telling myself 16 years is good but whew!!!

 

[southern_redhead]

Well, my machinary is trying to keep me in the lead.....DH got up this morning and the heat wasn't on. Checked the breaker - it was fine. Checked the thermostat - it was fine. Turned thermostat up - nothing. 15 minutes later, though, lovely burning smell issuing from the vents. Shut it all off and called the CH/A guy

I'm hoping it is just a fuse (which, unfortunately is apparently INSIDE the unit and neither DH nor I feels capable of dismantling it) because it was only $85 total to fix when it happened in the fall. Yup, that's right, our CH/A unit hates us LOL Problem is it is a big, older house and it really needs 2 units. One unit just gets overloaded. Hmm....maybe if stuff stopped DYING we could spring for a second unit!