Stupid Washing Machine Question

[Bonny]

Now the washing machine in the condo is acting up. Tenant reports that about a cup of water leaks out during the spin cycle.

Yes it's a Maytag, no I'm not getting comped on this one.  It's 11 years old.

Assuming a worse case scenario I'm thinking I might have to replace it. But when I got onto the Maytag site I couldn't find any stack washer dryers, only kits.

So here's my stupid question. Are stack washer dryers just ordinary washer and dryers that are stacked up on each other? If so, can non matching washers and dryers be stacked together?

Enquiring minds thank you for your help.

[Chocolate Lover]

You don't want them as one unit right? I don't think I'd stack non matching units from different manufacturers, they might not align correctly. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

www.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-Stacked-2-5-cu-ft-Washer-and-5-9-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-in-White-MET3800XW/202867155?cm_mmc=SEM|THD|google|D29+Appliances&mid=sHnXQrmq4|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_44460876102_pkw__inurl:-Electric%23inurl:-Dryer_pmt_b&gclid=COqSqtGax8YCFRAxaQodbhEE_A

[Chocolate Lover]

Beth, that's the kind I originally thought of but wondered if she's trying to stack normal front loaders on each other. I somehow doubt there's an industry standard width, just because that would make it too easy for the consumer to buy different brands to stack on each other. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jul 6, 2015 14:14:37 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Beth, that's the kind I originally thought of but wondered if she's trying to stack normal front loaders on each other. I somehow doubt there's an industry standard width, just because that would make it too easy for the consumer to buy different brands to stack on each other. 

But you can't reach the dials/knobs if you just stack 2 front loading machines on top of each other. So it's got to be some kind of stack-able pairing. 

[Bonny]

Jul 6, 2015 14:10:57 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

www.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-Stacked-2-5-cu-ft-Washer-and-5-9-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-in-White-MET3800XW/202867155?cm_mmc=SEM|THD|google|D29+Appliances&mid=sHnXQrmq4|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_44460876102_pkw__inurl:-Electric%23inurl:-Dryer_pmt_b&gclid=COqSqtGax8YCFRAxaQodbhEE_A

Yeah, it looks a lot like that but the controls are easier to reach. My mom was 5' 2" at her tallest and was probably just 5' when she died.

I hope it can be repaired since it doesn't look like you can just trade out one of the machines on this unit.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I didn't see much for Maytag in the quick searching I did.  You may have better luck with what you're looking for (size and controls that are easy to reach) if you look at other brands.

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 6, 2015 14:17:21 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Jul 6, 2015 14:14:37 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Beth, that's the kind I originally thought of but wondered if she's trying to stack normal front loaders on each other. I somehow doubt there's an industry standard width, just because that would make it too easy for the consumer to buy different brands to stack on each other. 

But you can't reach the dials/knobs if you just stack 2 front loading machines on top of each other. So it's got to be some kind of stack-able pairing. 

I have no clue, I'm not rich enough to own front loaders.  But I see it on HGTV all the time so it must be fine! 

The stackable like you posted is similar to one I had at the last rental but the knobs were all about chest high on me. Reaching the back of the dryer, which is on top, might be hard for short people though.

[Chocolate Lover]

Looked at your link again, my knobs were UNDER the dryer not at the top like that one. That's just dumb placement there. 

[Chocolate Lover]

Jul 6, 2015 14:20:19 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Jul 6, 2015 14:10:57 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

www.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-Stacked-2-5-cu-ft-Washer-and-5-9-cu-ft-Electric-Dryer-in-White-MET3800XW/202867155?cm_mmc=SEM|THD|google|D29+Appliances&mid=sHnXQrmq4|dc_mtid_8903tb925190_pcrid_44460876102_pkw__inurl:-Electric%23inurl:-Dryer_pmt_b&gclid=COqSqtGax8YCFRAxaQodbhEE_A

Yeah, it looks a lot like that but the controls are easier to reach. My mom was 5' 2" at her tallest and was probably just 5' when she died.

I hope it can be repaired since it doesn't look like you can just trade out one of the machines on this unit.

No, there is no trading out units on this kind. It's why I was without a dryer for 3 years. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

My only experience with stackables is the ones that were at a water park we stayed in, in Jan. 2015.  It was more like a condo than a hotel room.  But we were only there 2 nights. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

It is probably the seal, Bonny.  It is about a $100 repair.

I had the exact same thing happen, and it would have been an easy fix had the bearings not been going out too.

[Bonny]

Jul 6, 2015 14:36:52 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

It is probably the seal, Bonny.  It is about a $100 repair.

I had the exact same thing happen, and it would have been an easy fix had the bearings not been going out too.

$100 would be a lot better than $1500 to replace it!  Or remodeling the space to accommodate a standard unit.

[Deleted]

Jul 6, 2015 14:17:21 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Jul 6, 2015 14:14:37 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Beth, that's the kind I originally thought of but wondered if she's trying to stack normal front loaders on each other. I somehow doubt there's an industry standard width, just because that would make it too easy for the consumer to buy different brands to stack on each other. 

But you can't reach the dials/knobs if you just stack 2 front loading machines on top of each other. So it's got to be some kind of stack-able pairing. 

I thought pretty much all front-loaders were stackable?  I mean, probably not brand to brand since they can be different widths/depths, but the knobs are all on the front and without pedestals they are low.

Of course, the one in the link is a front load dryer on top of a top load washer.  Those are special beasts that you have to get together.

[Lizard Queen]

Jul 6, 2015 14:47:27 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Jul 6, 2015 14:17:21 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

But you can't reach the dials/knobs if you just stack 2 front loading machines on top of each other. So it's got to be some kind of stack-able pairing. 

I thought pretty much all front-loaders were stackable?  I mean, probably not brand to brand since they can be different widths/depths, but the knobs are all on the front and without pedestals they are low.

Of course, the one in the link is a front load dryer on top of a top load washer.  Those are special beasts that you have to get together.

No,I have a frontloader, and the back comes up and the controls are located there--obviously not stackable by looking at it.

[tskeeter]

Jul 6, 2015 14:03:38 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Now the washing machine in the condo is acting up. Tenant reports that about a cup of water leaks out during the spin cycle.

Yes it's a Maytag, no I'm not getting comped on this one.  It's 11 years old.

Assuming a worse case scenario I'm thinking I might have to replace it. But when I got onto the Maytag site I couldn't find any stack washer dryers, only kits.

So here's my stupid question. Are stack washer dryers just ordinary washer and dryers that are stacked up on each other? If so, can non matching washers and dryers be stacked together?

Enquiring minds thank you for your help.

Considering that it's more than 10 years old.  In a rental unit 500 miles away.  And in a condo where a serious leak might damage other resident's units.  I think I'd  seriously consider just spending the money and getting a new unit.  To fly down to deal the consequences of being cost concious will cost you a good chunk of the replacement.  And a service call to do repairs would eat up another big chunk of a replacement.  Even if you can deal effectively with just the leaky washer,  what's the probability that you'll be dealing with the dryer in another month or two?   

[Bonny]

Repair person is going out Wednesday afternoon.

I don't fly down for small repairs. I've told the tenant that if the repair is more than $200 or so that I will replace. I'll be available by phone for the repair person.

I guess I had such good luck with the dryer at the N. County house I'm willing to risk it. The machine has otherwise been trouble free. It's a pretty simple machine.

[Bonny]

Hmmm repair technician states nothing is wrong with the washer. Says hot water is creating condensation along the hot water pipe and it's draining under the machine. Ran the entire cycle but no leaking from the machine itself. 

Told the tenant to just use warm water when they are having hot weather like this.

$69.00 please. 

[tskeeter]

Jul 8, 2015 15:26:10 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Hmmm repair technician states nothing is wrong with the washer. Says hot water is creating condensation along the hot water pipe and it's draining under the machine. Ran the entire cycle but no leaking from the machine itself. 

Told the tenant to just use warm water when they are having hot weather like this.

$69.00 please. 

That doesn't sound right. The tech must have  misspoken.  Moisture condenses on cold surfaces, not hot surfaces.  Remember, heat makes moisture evaporate, not condense.  Otherwise, your dryer would be full of water after every load and your clothes would still be wet.

Do you have a condensation issue?  Could be.  Has it been unusually humid in the SD area lately?  Given our weather patterns, are night time breezes bringing an unusual amount of moisture on shore at night?  In order to have condensation, you've got to have moisture (usually in the air) and a cold surface for the moisture to condense on.  I'd be thinking about cold surfaces where moisture could condense that are close to the washer.  Is there a bathroom on the other side of the wall from the washer?  One of the areas where you frequently see condensation in parts of the country that can have high summertime humidity is on toilet tanks.  You've got bathrooms full of moist air and toilet tanks full of cold water that chill the surface of the tank.  So condensation happens and water drips off the toilet tank on to the floor.  Or, in your case, might run along a pipe and into an adjacent room.  Condensation is more likely to be a problem if a toilet leaks, because the leak keeps the toilet filling with cold water, so the water in the tank never warms up.  I remember my folks installing a foam insulation kit inside toilet tanks in one of our houses to keep the tank surface warm enough not to have a condensation issue.  Another possibility could be condensation on a cold water line.  Or a plugged condensate drain from the air handler on the A/C.  Could even be that the tenant washes clothes in cold water and after several loads, enough condensation has accumulated from the cold washer tub to appear to be a small leak.  Another thing to check on is how the tenant is running the A/C.  If the tenant has been cutting back on the A/C, there is going to be more moisture in the air inside the condo because the A/C isnt running enough to take the humidity out of the air.  This could make condensation on any cool surface more likely.

I suppose that another possibility could be a small leak (probably a bad washer) on one of the water supply lines to the washing machine.  When was the last time that the hoses were replaced?  Ten years is a long time for rubber hoses and the rubber washers in the hose connections to last.  If the hoses are the ones that came with the washer, years ago, replacing the hoses would be a good place to start your efforts to correct the problem.    

It's going to be a bit like a treasure hunt.  Will you be able to track down the source of the moisture, or will conditions change and the problem will  appear to fix itself?  Good luck! 

[Bonny]

Yeah tskeeter DH said the same thing.

He is concerned that if the build up keeps happening and the tenant isn't attentive there will be enough water that gets through the ceramic tile and to the neighbors below. He wants to put some kind of pan under the W/D.

Condo is at the beach in San Diego so probably quite a bit of humid air. I know there's been quite the monsoonal affect in So. CA over the last couple weeks. We even got a little bit up here in the Bay Area.

W/D area is in an open area around the corner from the kitchen (think of the short leg of an "L"). It's on the other side of the fridge which I think would be warm not cool.

Fingers crossed it goes away on its own.

[tskeeter]

Jul 8, 2015 17:13:56 GMT -5 Bonny said:

Yeah tskeeter DH said the same thing.

He is concerned that if the build up keeps happening and the tenant isn't attentive there will be enough water that gets through the ceramic tile and to the neighbors below. He wants to put some kind of pan under the W/D.

Condo is at the beach in San Diego so probably quite a bit of humid air. I know there's been quite the monsoonal affect in So. CA over the last couple weeks. We even got a little bit up here in the Bay Area.

W/D area is in an open area around the corner from the kitchen (think of the short leg of an "L"). It's on the other side of the fridge which I think would be warm not cool.

Fingers crossed it goes away on its own.

Don't know that I'm convinced the pans are worth it.  They're helpful for a small leak.  Maybe a few gallons.  But if a hose breaks or a fill valve sticks open when nobody is in the house, a catch pan isn't going to help much.