Should i repair my washing machine

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I have doubts about how achievable a repair is. I turn to that mainstay of self-help, YouTube, and settle in to watch a surprisingly entertaining video showing how to replace washing machine bearings. I start optimistic, despite the clear warning: "This is a big job, not for the feint hearted.

The skilled repairer has removed nine different components, each requiring differently tricky manoeuvres. I am painfully aware that each step then will need to be reversed to rebuild the machine at the end. But for environmental reasons, I'm still reluctant to ditch my machine, especially after seeing the impacts of our throw-away culture on the War on Waste and Four Corners recently.

The manufacturer of my current model and likely the brand I would buy again speaks confidently of the water- and energy-saving aspects of their products but has less to say about issues created by their disposal.

Their advice on the question of repair versus replace is that this an individual decision. Unsurprisingly, they strongly discourage non-authorised repair attempts.

My machine is not their problem. Manufacturers don't have to deal with their products at the wrong end of their lifespan. They are uninterested in telling me what happens to these discarded appliances and I am told, surprisingly rudely, by the head office that they can't help.

I ask the warehouse of my local store how they dispose of ditched whitegoods. Another gives me the names and numbers of two people who come to collect the waste. This leads me on a murky goose chase. Their main collector hangs up on me more than once after I identify myself as a writer and doesn't return my call. But the other is happy to talk: "We take them away, remove any plastic contaminants and the rest, which is mainly stainless steel, is crushed up and sold to a metal recycling company.

I speak with this next company in the chain. They say are one of the world's leading publicly traded metal and electronics recyclers. Sounds promising but then again, so did the big waste companies featured on Four Corners who ended up disposing recyclable materials into illegal landfill dumps. Will my old washing machine get recycled if it is taken away by the deliverers of a new one?

I estimate the likelihood is less than 50 per cent. Even if it is recycled, the energy needed to do this — as well as produce a new washing machine — will result in a considerable impact on the environment. Environmentally, repairing is clearly the sounder choice. I had 2 very helpful phone conversations near the holidays with the owner Paul of Reliable Appliances regarding my poorly functioning clothes dryer.

He helped me troubleshoot the problem for about 15 minutes each phone call which I appreciated. He was polite, friendly, and respectful of all my questions. I would not hesitate to take any future appliance repairs to him straightaway. He and his staff have good customer service skills and reasonable rates. The technician, Ed, came out in the snow-pocalypse of February haha , looked at our dryer and within minutes knew what was wrong.

He came back a few days later and fixed our dryer within 30 minutes. We love giving supporting local businesses and this local business has our business for life! Knowledgable AND affordable - tough combination to find anywhere now a days. He was able to fix my problem in a few minutes and only charged me for the time spent. Can't complain one bit about anything. Is it worth repairing an old washing machine versus completely replacing it?

This post explores the pros and cons of repair vs replacement. Is repairing an old washing machine worth the effort?