I have been in my new place for almost a year already! Time flies when the days are short and the air is cold!
When I purchased this place it came with a set of pretty old laundry appliances that I knew I was going to update at some point. We’re talking those ancient relics of washers where you actually had to load the laundry from the top, and your clothes were given a ride around a maypole to get clean.
About a month or so ago, the dryer stopped warming up on the regular cycle. For some reason, it would still dry clothes on the gentle cycle, so I have been managing to limp it through the winter. But then, about a week or so ago, the washer’s lid quit locking, which meant the wash cycle could never fully engage, and my clothes never got their maypole ride. If I slammed the lid just right, while crossing my eyes and holding my breath, I could possibly get it to latch, but I realized this was probably not a long term solution.
So it being almost spring, the time for all things fresh and new, I decided it might be a good time for a new laundry duo.
That, and the fact there was a sale.
So, I ordered my fancy new matching laundry set, with the front load doors and missing the now extinct maypole, set up install and waited.
My install was scheduled for yesterday, and for any of you that know me at all, you know it was not going to just be an easy, story free process.
The delivery team actually showed up on time (right at the start of their 4 hour window too!), and set right to work on getting my old machines out of the way and the new ones un-boxed and ready to take their place.
We were only about 5 min in when the first issue arose.
As the install tech went to shut off the water (there was an easy shut off valve right there at the hook ups), to disconnect my old washer, he pointed out that the valve seemed to be shot. It was not completely shutting off the water flow, and there was a slight leak when he went to disconnect the hoses. He mentioned I would need to get someone to come replace the valve.
Ok, fair enough. I’ll add it to my to-do list. In the meantime, I grabbed a towel to tuck around the hook-ups while he was making the switch to prevent the leak from making too much of a mess, and on we went.
They get the old machines out of the way, carry in the fancy new washer and start to get it into place. This is where the fun really started.
As he is positioning the washer, he tells me he has not hooked up any of the hoses, but he’ll leave them in the tub, so I can connect them after I have the valve replaced.
Not sure I was completely understanding what he was saying, I said “I’m sorry, what?”
He replied that since the valve was leaking (in the off position) he wasn’t able to hook up the new washer to the valve. It was against the “rules”. So thus, he had also decided he just wouldn’t hook up the hoses to the machine either.
So, just to be sure I am understanding this correctly.
You are going to leave the washer not hooked up and the valve off and leaking until I can get someone to replace the valve, instead of hooking up the new washer and turning the valve back on where it doesn’t leak?
Of course. Makes total sense to me. Might as well just turn my utility area into a swimming pool while we wait for a plumber. The dogs have been dying for a swim.
After some negotiation, we agree he will at least connect the hoses to the machine and leave them where I can easily reach them, so I can easily connect them “once the valve is replaced”.
He finishes everything else, cleans up all the packaging and they jump in the truck to take off.
And as soon as he is in the truck, I connect the washer hoses and turn on the valve, thus stopping the leak and preventing an un-planned for pool.
He had also explained that I had 48 hours to make any reports of issues with the install, and then after that I would have to deal with the manufacturer for any issues, so I decided I might as well run a load of laundry and make sure everything was functioning as expected.
The washing machine did it’s thing with no issues, despite the now non-leaking valve, and my clothes came out clean and wet, while the utility room stayed dry.
But now it was the dryer’s turn.
I load the clothes in, turn on the cycle, and watch the clothes start their tumble routine.
Before they have a chance to complete their whole routine, however, I am called back to the machine with the melodic sound of the “there’s an issue” tone. (It’s so nice that these fancy new machines play you music instead of those harsh old buzzers)
Flashing on the display are several lights and a “nP” error code.
Digging out the manual and searching the error code list, let me know that this code indicated an issue with the power source and the fact that the “power cord had not been connected correctly”.
Hmmmm…. Guess it’s a good thing I have that 48 hour window.
Of course it was too late to call by that point, so first thing this morning I am on the phone with the 800 number provided as the techs had made their exit.
An hour and multiple transfers later, during which I am told they can’t get anyone out for over a week to fix the problem, then being sent to LG to see if they can somehow fix the issue over the phone (I know, I was surprised these new “smart machines” could be smart enough to re-hook up their own power cords correctly, too ) and finally back to the installers who finally “make an exception” to get someone out here first thing Monday morning to see what they could do.
I’d like to say I’m hopeful that I will be back to a fully functional laundry set up by mid-day Monday, but I’ve learned to be ready for anything.
Maybe there will be a “to be continued….” added to this post.
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