8 year old house - stuff is starting to fail

[Cutehumor]

Originally Posted By: ToyotaNSaturn
Our home is 8 years old this past month. I suggest to NOT purchase anything from "Keystone/KBRG" homebuilders.

This is water leak repair #5 for this home. The guy was here this morning to fix it:



I hope it's not a bad sign that I just read that. I just put in an offer to buy our first home in Franklin 30 minutes ago! I have no clue who built the home, it was built in 2001. Since folks are talking about fridges, the house I'm trying to buy has a stainless steel sub-zero fridge. My agen said the fridge was 6-7K brand new. is it durable? any info?

 

[Jim 5]

Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.

You can't buy a reliable appliance at any price on the other hand. I'd go on warranty alone.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.


link? references?

"hey honey? I know you had your heart set on that new sub zero fridge, but some dude on BITOG says they aren't any good. lets go down to sears instead, ok?"

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.


link? references?

"hey honey? I know you had your heart set on that new sub zero fridge, but some dude on BITOG says they aren't any good. lets go down to sears instead, ok?"


Can't find the exact links. When I was doing research on what fridge to buy, I kept running across different web-sites (I believe including articles quoting consumer reports) stating that sub-zero was one of the worst. I wasn't in the market for a sub-zero, but I found it interesting. Here's a few links:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18176916/

http://www.galttech.com/research/household-DIY-tools/best-refrigerator.php

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.


link? references?

"hey honey? I know you had your heart set on that new sub zero fridge, but some dude on BITOG says they aren't any good. lets go down to sears instead, ok?"


Can't find the exact links. When I was doing research on what fridge to buy, I kept running across different web-sites (I believe including articles quoting consumer reports) stating that sub-zero was one of the worst. I wasn't in the market for a sub-zero, but I found it interesting. Here's a few links:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18176916/

http://www.galttech.com/research/household-DIY-tools/best-refrigerator.php

ironic how these 'authorities' say the SZ isn't any good, but somehow they are almost always spec'd in designer and high end kitchens. how do they manage to hold on to that market if they aren't all that great?
I have one friend w/ a sub zero; they got it used from a family member. after more than 10 years, they only just recently needed a repair.
my viking range is high end, and it also has those that bad mouth it online. but its served me well for almost 4 yrs now and we use it A LOT. no issues at all.
I take on line reviews w/ a grain of salt.

 

[VNTS]

From people that repair them, dont fall for the over priced Euro trash appliances because they have stainless and look pretty. viking, thermodore, bosch, substandard are overpriced, difficult to repair, manuals are non-existant etc

Myself if you have older say 20 year old appliance, fix them. The new stuff is more trouble, and all the electronics tends to [censored] out and is big money to fix, that is why we now have 5 year old disposable appliance.
Look nice and pretty but most are junk.

If you buy new, consider Whirlpool. Good value for the money and they are for the most part easy to fix.

I have a Junk Aire Range and I would be broke if I didnt fix it myself, have had to repalce the display(300$ part), Relay control Board 250$ part and a couple of temp probes 50$ part. it is 10 years old and the newer stuff is even worse. My Fridge is a 20 year old Hot Point before GE Cheapened them up. All the Energy Star idiots want me to throw it away to save 5$ a month on new efficient disposable refriderator. I havent put a dime into it in 20 years.

I have a 20 year old GE dryer which I have repalced the bearing, belt, glides, 1 heater element and the control. it still works and I will continue to repair as needed. The washer which came with it, had the tranmsision fail at 17 years old so I bought a Staber.


http://fixitnow.com/wp/2007/04/28/therma...nge-appliances/

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2005/02/15/is-there-a-washer-and-dryer-worth-buying/

Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.


link? references?

"hey honey? I know you had your heart set on that new sub zero fridge, but some dude on BITOG says they aren't any good. lets go down to sears instead, ok?"

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
From people that repair them, dont fall for the over priced Euro trash appliances because they have stainless and look pretty. viking, thermodore, bosch, substandard are overpriced, difficult to repair, manuals are non-existant etc


huh. viking and thermadore at least are USA made. and my viking did come w/ a manual
we have whirlpool washer and dryer. not impressed. the washer is always out of balance and the dryer barely dries completely. I've had to replace the tiny flimsy heater element on it already, less than 5 years old.

 

[labman]

Originally Posted By: VNTS
From people that repair them, dont fall for the over priced Euro trash appliances because they have stainless and look pretty. viking, thermodore, bosch, substandard are overpriced, difficult to repair, manuals are non-existant etc

Myself if you have older say 20 year old appliance, fix them. The new stuff is more trouble, and all the electronics tends to [censored] out and is big money to fix, that is why we now have 5 year old disposable appliance.
Look nice and pretty but most are junk.

If you buy new, consider Whirlpool. Good value for the money and they are for the most part easy to fix.

I have a Junk Aire Range and I would be broke if I didnt fix it myself, have had to repalce the display(300$ part), Relay control Board 250$ part and a couple of temp probes 50$ part. it is 10 years old and the newer stuff is even worse. My Fridge is a 20 year old Hot Point before GE Cheapened them up. All the Energy Star idiots want me to throw it away to save 5$ a month on new efficient disposable refriderator. I havent put a dime into it in 20 years.

I have a 20 year old GE dryer which I have repalced the bearing, belt, glides, 1 heater element and the control. it still works and I will continue to repair as needed. The washer which came with it, had the tranmsision fail at 17 years old so I bought a Staber.


http://fixitnow.com/wp/2007/04/28/therma...nge-appliances/

http://fixitnow.com/wp/2005/02/15/is-there-a-washer-and-dryer-worth-buying/

Originally Posted By: mpvue
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
Sub-zero has one of the worst reliability records you can get according to the research I have done.


link? references?

"hey honey? I know you had your heart set on that new sub zero fridge, but some dude on BITOG says they aren't any good. lets go down to sears instead, ok?"


One part of the repair/replace equation is unlike tech service, repairman are still American. They speak English.

 

[rjundi]

Happier now with a loss leader model $400 front loader washer. It washes clothes better, uses 1/4 of the water, dry's clothes significantly better, seems easier on items, and less soap.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Happier now with a loss leader model $400 front loader washer. It washes clothes better, uses 1/4 of the water, dry's clothes significantly better, seems easier on items, and less soap.


What make/model? Ours is on the fritz now. And keeping with the spirit of this topic...yes, it's almost 8 years old. Uggh.

 

[MNgopher]

I see a note about "euro trash" appliances, and I'd like to point out at least one Euro brand that is not the case - Miele. I've got one of their dishwashers and the thing is a tank. It came with the house, but I recommend one (if you can afford it) to anyone who asks.

We had a drain problem, and called the 1-800 number for Miele. Talked to an actual technician who walked us through troubleshooting the problem, and correctly identified the issue. I was given instructions on repair over the phone and told to call back with the case # if I ran into a problem. They truly wanted to save the service call if they could, and were extremely helpful. Refreshing in this day and age. Of course, you really pay for it up front! $$$$!

Even the appliance Samurai on the fix it now site has changed his tune when it comes to Miele vs. other "eurotrash".

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Meile makes dishwashers?! We purchased a vacuum from them, very good equipment save for the plastic piece that broke, that required a $200 tube to go along with it.

Other than the ultra high repair costs, it was a tank.

 

[Papa Bear]

I need to start a company making $200 tubes !! Are those government tubes ??

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: MNgopher
I see a note about "euro trash" appliances, and I'd like to point out at least one Euro brand that is not the case - Miele. I've got one of their dishwashers and the thing is a tank. It came with the house, but I recommend one (if you can afford it) to anyone who asks.


Same here! We have a Miele dishwasher, also came with the house for us (no way would I have spent as much as they apparently cost new on a dishwasher). It cleans really well and is very, very quiet. It's got a nice sliding tray for silverware instead of the normal "bucket" that takes up space on the bottom rack. It's sharp looking, too, with its stainless steel inner walls.

We've got a Jenn Aire gas stove/electric oven which is OK. The stove burner cartridges are really easy to swap out -- it's got a grill insert but we've never used it. It's got a downdraft fan which is kind of cool, but it's got a membrane keypad for the oven which I'm not too hot on. I guess what I'm saying is feature wise it's good, but quality, we'll have to see.

The house also "came with" a Jenn Aire fridge that looked like it was 3 years old max and it wasn't working. We had an appliance repair guy out who determined that it had been "repaired" once before and now the compressor was out (again?). I can't know whether it's the fault of a poorly built appliance or a botched repair. We replaced it with a Whirlpool that I'm hoping will last longer (although Whirlpool also makes Jenn Aire so we'll see).

 

[GeaugaFletcher]

My recently-bought Whirlpool "French door" fridge had the evaporator fan go out. Did a little research and found out that the factory energy-star rated fan assembly has a little rectifying power supply in it to give the little bitty DC motor what it needs. They fail regularly. The replacement fan assembly is a standard 120 volt hoss that never breaks. Harumph.

My 20+ year old hot water tank is sadly showing rust at the bottom.

As for the fellow with the 1950s house that has 2x4s as 2nd floor joists, don't discount the strength of old lumber. A 1950s 2x4 is a %*(@ of a lot better than what's available these days. Straighter, straighter grain, denser, fewer knots, etc.

If at all possible, I'll never buy a house built as recently as the 1970s, unless it's a custom build where the construction was thoroughly supervised. Even still, the quality of materials seemed to take a nose-dive...well, about the time I was born.

Hmmm....

 

[JustinH]

Even though I would like a side by side ice maker fridge, I decided to go simple. There is just less to go wrong.

A simple tappan $350 dollar fridge from Lowe's. Works absolutely great. Tappan is just a brand name for Electrolux, who makes a dozen other brands I'm sure.

 

[Jim 5]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
Even though I would like a side by side ice maker fridge, I decided to go simple. There is just less to go wrong.

A simple tappan $350 dollar fridge from Lowe's. Works absolutely great. Tappan is just a brand name for Electrolux, who makes a dozen other brands I'm sure.



That's a good idea. It's all the gizmos in my side by side fridge that have failed. If this had been a regular fridge with a thermostat and a door light switch I wouldn't have put a penny into it yet.

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
Even though I would like a side by side ice maker fridge, I decided to go simple. There is just less to go wrong. A simple tappan $350 dollar fridge from Lowe's. Works absolutely great. Tappan is just a brand name for Electrolux, who makes a dozen other brands I'm sure.

Like Frigidaire, which is the brand that Lowe's delivery service just delivered to replace my 8.5 year old Kenmore (aka Whirlpool). I'm a die-hard Menard's person, but I have to give Kudos to Lowe's on this one. Went basic, too, no water dispenser. Unfortunately, an ice-maker is standard, but I don't have a water line so I didn't hook that up.