Hello all, and glad to be posting again here after quite a long hiatus!
It is time to replace our dinosaur washing machine, and my wife is looking at the new front-load washers. I know they are much more energy-efficient, but I worry about leakage problems down the road. (My old A/C unit already flooded the house once, I don’t want a repeat in the laundry room!) I would like to know your opinions on the new vs. traditional washers, and if you have a newer front-load, which brand and if you like it or have had problems with it.
Thanks everyone!
Replies
Hey bud glad to have you back. Still on the force?
We've had a front load. LG for a year. It does a good job. No leaks. The only thing is it shakes like crazy. I'd put it on a concrete slab if I had a choice. That's the only problem we've had with ours.
Coz the boys in the hood are always hard.
Your house on a crawlspace? Mine will sit on tile on top of concrete slab, and our old one walks all over the laundry room as it is!
And yeah, I'm still the po-po--trying to get hired closer to home, though, with a bigger agency. The one that I work for now is small-town, and they have an attitude of us as a "necessary inconvenience."
Yea my current house is on a crawl. That tub on normal spin builds up a pretty good momentum. And the wet clothes stuck to one side make it bounce pretty bad. If I use it on gentle wash it's fine.
I still like it enough to put up with it though.
Good luck on the job change. Small towns can be rough on their infastructure. Maybe you can get on in Mobile. Brownbagg needs at least one person on his side. LOL
Coz the boys in the hood are always hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChIdFwQwoYM&feature=related
Jason!
Welcome back!! Happy New Year!!
We've had a front loader for a few months.
It's great! Very quiet! Clothes come out almost dry!
As for leaks, I wouldn't worry about it. It isn't like the tank fills up.
Rich Beckman
Oh, and it's the same old story
Ever since the world began
Everybody got the runs for glory
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan
Nobody stop and scrutinize the plan
Paul Simon, 1973
Have a Duet by Whirlpool and it's great. AFter the Neptune by Maytag which was ok for 8 years and then committed suicide - we were lucky with that machine as it had a terrible history.
If you stack them the washer is more stable than side by side. The weight of the dryer on top definitely helps.
Mark Macleod
Hi Jason,
Have had a front loader for about 7-8 years. Never had any problems with it and really like how much gentler it is on the clothes. The only minor complaint I have is that when you open the door, a dribble of water hits the floor. Mine is in an unfinished basement, so it's not a problem but would probably irk me if in a laundry room. Also have not experienced any "walking" in the spin cycle.
We bought a stacking pair and they work great. We bought the cheapest set we could find. I think they are whirlpool.
Just bought GE frontloaders a few weeks ago after my 17 yo sears began leaking (thanks floodstop! http://www.floodstop.com/). After shoe horning them into the existing laundry room and relocatiing the dryer vent they work pretty good. I'm not sure what the big wow is over them but the washer is definitely much quieter but takes a lot longer than the old top loader, about an hour (give or take) for a load. The dryer is hard to compare since th eold one was coming due for a new heating eleent; it takes about 40 minutes to dry just about anything.
I think you'll have leak concerns with any washer unless you're specifically thinking about the door gasket. There's a solenoid lock that holds the washer closed during a cycle but you can still load more after a few seconds weight while the water drains down after pushing the pause button. I did find a puddle on one of the early laods but I think that was from a short piece of straw stuck on the gasket.
I've bought a few and own a pair personally. I'd never go back to top loaders again. In my new house we had RFH installed. I cut down a block to 1.25 and sloped the pour to a cheap plastic floor drain under the machine stack. If it leaks it's only going to drain to the cellar below. You don't have to hit me twice about a hose break or other malfunction. In hind sight I should have done the same for the dishwasher and fridge. I did buy a Water Cop with probes to prevent major problems.
In time I will pipe it to the corner where the floor drain is.
These folks are pretty passionate about their appliances, and share all the good, bad & ugly on just about every brand imaginable.
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/laundry/
One of the things I learned is that it's best to leave the door open on front loaders so they can dry out - mold around the gasket has been a common issue in the past.
Our laundry room is narrow and that wouldn't work for us, so we went with the latest Sears / Kenmore top loader (Oasis) and it's about as close to a front loader as you can get in terms of efficiency - including a high speed spin that leaves the clothes pretty dry.
Sears HE3T (made by Whirlpool) about 8 years now - they're fine. No leaks.
Jeff
Edited 1/2/2008 10:02 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
Jason glad to hear from you.
My mom just got a set of Duets and they were clearanced so we saved about 600$ for the pair.
Go online and start calling the big boxes etc.to find last years model.
Stacking them does seem to be the way to go but you need to be tall or a step stool.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
10 or 11 yr. old Gibson (Maytag ) no problems here at all.
I had them stacked until this year when I built a new laundry room and wanted the tops as a folding shelf.
You might look at this item:http://www.floodsaver.com/  These should be standard in new homes in my opinion. We have had Asko's for 8 years, replaced one pump motor and one set of motor brushes. Supposed to be maintenance hogs but we have done ok with them. No leaks. Energy and water saving is noticeable in our area, very noticable. Also, only the ASKO and Miele are 240 V and heat their own water. Ours thusly uses only a cold water line. Can't use bleach in these however! The longer wash cycle is offset by very short drying times due to the high rpm spin rate. Overall a good experience.http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com
I don't know if it exactly the floodsaver model (I can't get the link to work -404 error) but I have an extra unit that connects the washer to the power and water that only allows water to flow when it is called for. And it has a floor sensor that detects water on the floor and shuts off the flow of water.I got two units, but we ended up getting the Bosch units, which are 220v. This works only for 110v washers.New they were about $120 I think. I'll sell the extra to anyone who wants it for $75.To the OP, we have two sets of front loading units. The Bosch 24" model and a more generic stacking unit for the apt. The reported savings is that they use 1/3 the water (and less soap). You do need to use a soap designed for a front loader (low sudsing) or at least less soap. But we love ours. No walking problems for use, but the Bosch is a little loud in the spin cycle.
Alright, well it sounds like a front loader is the way to go then...besides, my wife likes them so that's all the reason I need LOL.
Thanks everyone for your advice!
And Gunner, yes, it's Mobile-area agencies I've applied to.
One overlooked advantage to a top load washer is you can add an item or two to the wash after the cycle is started. Just a thought.
You can still add to the front loaders after the cycle starts but have to push the pause button and wait for it to drain the water down low enough so the water won't spill out. The door will unlock when it's ready. Takes a couple of seconds.
Jason - I've got mine on a platform about 18" off the floor. Saves a lot of bending over.
I've got the Whirlpool Duet and they worked flawlessly for 5 years. Lately the washer has started to vibrate some, but never as much as any top loader I've had when the load got way unbalanced. http://grantlogan.net/
My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.
Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"
Would not be hard to rig a 240V contactor relay to let you use that Floodsaver. Dunno what the relay runs, but probably not over $75 or so.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
You're clearly much more advanced in electronics than I am. I'm sure it is doable, but retrofitting it now would be a pain. There is a single plug from the dryer into the 220 v outlet. Then the washer plugs into the dryer. So the washer would have to have a new outlet, which would be wired to the relay, which would wire to the unit.
The floodsaver is a catch pan.Now there is the flood stopper which is a whole house system that shuts off the water.http://www.smartsensortechnologies.com/http://www.watercop.com/But suspect that you are talking about the Watts IntellaFlow.http://www.wattswater.com/watts/showdetl.cfm?&DID=9&Product_ID=457&CATID=61Or a FloodStopper.http://www.hometech.com/security/floodstop.html?gclid=CPbIhuna2JACFQ2aOAodVgSkXQIt appears that the Floodstopper worker strickly on detecting water on the floor (or pan).Watts also has an optional water detector. But the basic unit works by sensing supply current to the washer.But they also make a timer based unit that could be used with a 240 washer..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Trouble with the pan/drain set up is that its hard to retrofit. The water shutoff devices won't mop the floor for you though!http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com
Getting the washer up and over the edge is a challenge sometimes. They don't look to pretty either.
The Watts IntellaFlow is the one I'm talking about, if anyone wants it.I did put a drain in the floor right in front of the washer however.
For what its worth, Consumer Reports had a big report on washers and dryers in their June 07 issue. In a nutshell, CR stated that top loader wahers can't hold a candle to front loaders in terms of efficiency although they do cost less. They rated the current crop of toploaders and frontloaders. The bottom line is that the good front loaders ain't cheap.
According to the literature we saw at the time, the Sears HE3Ts save, in an average household, over 8,000 gallons of water a year.
Jeff
I used to wear out two pairs of jeans per year. With the front loader they last me twice as long. Less abuse in the machine.
Less abuse in the machine.
I've noticed my clothes seem to be lasting longer, too. Can't back that up with facts, though.http://grantlogan.net/
My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.
Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"
>clothes seem to be lasting longer<
Are sure you aren't just slowing down?
I was really going to say the same thing. As I age, I move smarter, and probably also less. My clothes last much longer.
Since we haven't heard from T here:Clothes?? We don't need no steenkin' clothes!
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Now that's a whole other direction!
Are sure you aren't just slowing down?
Maybe. But then wouldn't the butt of my pants wear out faster?http://grantlogan.net/
My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.
Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"
depends on how hard you're thinking. ;^)
My jeans used to wear out in the front on the thighs. Now they last much longer and wear out at the seams on the side. I've never had levis wear out there before, it was always the knees or the thighs that failed first. I suspect my other clothes are lasting longer as well but I don't buy or wear them as systematically. My work habits haven't changed.
Pay attention to the electrical, we have Miele front loader W&D and they run on 220, 15amp separate breakers or 30amp single. I think Asko is the same, don't know about bosch or the others. Also, heard that the new model miele might be 110 but I'm not sure about that.
We put in Fisher Paykel washer and dryer combo nearly three years ago. Used at least once a day, they have performed flawlessly.
Both are top-loading, so you can easily move items from the washer to the dryer without excessive bending over.
They are quiet, simple to operate, and have very few moving parts.
Options are easy to understand and comprehensive.
You don't have to memorize a manual.
If you want to program your washing preferences, it will take a little study time in the manual, or on the provided CD.
We have found the basic programs to be adequate for our needs.
For most washing, you push the on button, and then the start/pause button.
For most drying, we push the on button, the damp drying button, and the start button. Drying damp is pretty indistinguishable from a regular dry, yet saves energy.
This is my experience and I have no affiliation with the company.
Our 15 or so yr old Maytag had a failure of the fill valve and made the can light at the foot of the basement stairs look like a mongo shower head. The Cherry floors upstairs had about a 20' diameter puddle as it ran under the baseboards. Surprising recovery, no damage.
We replaced the set with the Kenmore He4 next to top model last year. Ours is setting just away from over a basement wall midspan of 38' long 12" deep trusses. Some loads do give a little harmonic but my cats running across the floor seem to be more noticeable. Our instructions for the trusses did not call for cutting the bottom chord at the support (wish I had heard of Boss Hog before).
When you go into the laundry room with the lights off it looks like the bridge of a N. submarine.
We absolutely love them and wish we had bought them years ago. We are on well and septic system and really believe they are saving both as well as electricity $.
Bob
We installed a Sears HE3 several years ago. It doesn't fill with enough water to leak from the front. In fact, it uses so little water that you wonder how it gets clothes clean. It does. CR backs up the clothes lasting longer idea. No beater in the middle so these are gentle. It does not shake like a top loader, but it is somewhat like a jet plane taking off on spin. How it balances the load and the steps it takes to do so are worth watching at least once. It does a good balance job before the high speed spin. Since it spins so fast, drying times are short and that saves a lot of money. The detergent is special but you can usually buy HE detergent at sears on sale and it works well. The detergent must be low sudsing so you have to pay extra to buy it without the agent they add to make it suds! The Sears, Whirlpool and Bosch are top rated. expensive, but work well. A hose break would be the biggest cause of leaks with washers so always replace the hoses when you replace the washer.
Hey Jason...welcome back.
No personal experience with the front loaders, but from what I understand from friends and clients with them is that the platforms are a MUST.
Bending to load and unload is a major PIA.
Only complaint I've heard.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
I see no one else has mentioned the Kenmore (Sears) Elite H3t.
It's worth every penny.
View Image
These other guys complaining about front loaders - I got no idea what they are talking about. My Oriental rug never gets wet.
Hello Jason.
I have a set of Maytag stackables, extremely quiet and no vibration. Yeh we save with them but it's also nice that they are so compact.
Had some issues with them when they were new but it was all covered by the warranttee.. Doing some research for my sister and I found that the New Maytags are massively more reliable than our older ones.
Well guys, I think my wife has decided on a GE front-loader that Lowe's has on sale right now. Thanks again for the advice; my wife also says thanks!
If you have cats, set them in front of the washer when it starts if you have a glass door. Their heads go around and around to watch. Totally hilarious!http://www.etherhuffer.typepad.com
I have front loaders. Don't forget if you use the pedestals then your folding clothes at chest heighth if you don't have a work station in the laundry room.
We've got GE front loaders, the HD special version. My wife loves em, and I am getting one for my mother when her washer croaks.
They are quiet and clean extremely well. The only real vibration we get is when we spin on high speed with a comforter in there. The washer has only walked around once, and it was with a king size comforter.
Don't waste the money on the pedestals. They are too short to store any laundry gear, and if you want it off the floor build a low platform.
--
"Though I don't think" added Deep Thought "that you're going to like it."
That is what I did. I built a 4 1/2 " platform for mine to sit on , makes the tops @ 40" =/-.
Still have to bend a bit, but it isn't bad, and the tops are workable for folding/sorting items on. .
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.