Need recommendations on front load washer

[panasonicvac]

Yup

At least it hasn't had any repair done that I recall of, maybe it has but I can't say. My uncle owns the WF395BTPAWR/A2 model. It replaced the Kenmore front loader that was basically a Whirlpool Duet that died in it's short span but he still has the matching dryer. I overall really like it.

 

[gizmo]

F&P actually asks you in their manual to UNPLUG the machine

F&P smart drive top loaders don't have a physical on/off switch - the power button is a signal to the computer, it doesn't cut power itself.

 

Remember that in New Zealand (where F&P originate) and Australia (their biggest market for years, where they absolutely dominate Top Loader sales) all power outlets have a switch, so it is normal here to switch off at the wall when the cycle is finished.

For the US market they probably had to change the user manual to say unplug instead of switch off.

 

 

 

[mark_wpduet]

I turn the faucets off on my washer too. I remember it taking me forever to get into the habit of doing that... I started doing it because I noticed on my hoses it said "replace after 5 years" and I'm thinking.. holy crap these could fail... so instead of replacing them... I just turn the water off when done to be safe...99% of the time I remember to do it... very rare instances I'll go to to laundry and reach back to turn them on and notice I forgot to turn them off...

 

[combo52]

Turning off water, and unplugging machines

I never bothered doing either, you do more harm than good you wear out your faucet you wear out the electrical outlet, would you unplug your refrigerator and turn off the water to your icemaker and dishwasher, etc. when you leave?

That said if I leave my home for a number of days, I will shut off the main water supply, not so much for the appliances, but you can have a plumbing leak in an old larger home.

John

 

[ea56]

Turning Of Water Valves

We live in a two story townhouse and the washer and dryer are on the second floor. Right after we moved in 30 years ago the next door neighbors fire alarm went off. There was no fire. Turns out one of the fill hoses on their washer failed and burst sending water down through the floor and into the ceiling above their living room and the water got into the wiring for the heat sensor of the fire alarm setting the alarm off.

This water caused a great deal of damage to their living room ceiling, which THEY were responsible for repairing. After that we started to turn off the water supply to the washer after each use and the HOA recommended that every resident do the same. After a while the washers in the fill valves began to wear out causing a slight constant drip from the valve stem.

So I went to Home Depot and bought two brass quarter turn shutoff valves and installed them on the fill valves for the washer after replacing the worn valve stems. Problem solved! No more unnecessary wear on the fill valves and no danger of ruptured hoses causing a flood. It’s a simple, inexpensive preventative fix and gives us peace of mind. These brass shutoff valves are several years old and never leak because there are no washers to wear out. And ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Eddie

 

[wishwash]

At the risk of karma coming around… how long do those stainless hoses really last? I’ve had mine for a lot longer than five years.

 

[DADoES]

 
Those "stainless steel" supply hoses may be a rubber hose wrapped with braided cover made of nylon or some such non-metal material.  These are the original hoses that came with this machine in 2004.  Stainless steel wouldn't fray as such.

 

[johnb300m]

#25

Well those were never stainless steel braided to begin with. Those are clearly just "gray" nylon weaved.
You can tell which ones are stainless wrapped. They're metallic feeling and shiny.
Even the stainless wrapped hoses are still rubber inside.
The nylon and stainless wrapping is to help support the rubber over the years, and provide extra abrasion protection. When the weave itself has sacrificially worn out, that's an "extra" signal those hoses are time to go.