To Repair or Replace Household Appliances & Fixtures

America is generally divided into classes…THE HAVES AND THE HAVE NOTS. In my 60+ years I can say that I have been both. I grew up in a generally middle class family and as an adult have experienced my share of ups and downs. I have lived in a one bedroom furnished apartment with not even a radio to listen to much less anything like a TV and have owned a home in Los Angeles that was the French embassy for some 47 years. In either situation when something went wrong with a household appliance or fixture I still tried to use common sense when it came to repair replace it. Over this past weekend while researching for a subject to write on for today I came across an article AOL/Home about when to repair or replace by JUDI KETTELER. To read the entire article unabridged check the link below:

http://home.aol.com/new_in_home/photogallerytall/_a/when-to-repair-and-when-to-replace-home/20090324120709990001

Here in some of her words and the addition of my own is my take on the article.

With the economic downturn, our inclination is to make-do with what we have--including repairing (versus replacing) appliances and other household items. We've consulted appliance experts for advice about when to cut your losses and buy new, and when to invest in what you already have. Generally my rule of thumb has been to buy the best item that I could at the time and hope for the longest useful life but in general never spend more to repair something that it would take to replace it with one equal to or better than the old one. When you consider the improvements that continue to be made in quality and features sometimes it may even be better to spend a little more and replace anything that goes bad. I am currently hoping my old TV (about 6 years old and not High Def , big screened nor flat panel) will quit so I can justify buying a new one. Man are they getting cheap. I tried to give the old one away to one of my sons during his visit for Thanksgiving and he wouldn’t buy into it, he wants one of the fancy new ones too! The following are a few household items and opinions as to whether to repair or replace.
Dishwasher: Broken and rusting dishwasher racks are a common issue. At about $100 apiece, they may not be worth replacing if your dishwasher is on its last leg already. Less expensive fixes are cleaning out the inlet screen (where debris can build up) or replacing some seals (broken seals can cause water to leak). More expensive would be a broken pump. New models are more effective in their cleaning ability, tend to be quieter, and most importantly to many of us these days are more energy efficient using less water and electricity. These would be some reasons to consider replacing the old one instead of repairing the old one.
Vacuum: Vacuums range wildly in price, but if you're even mildly handy, it's nearly always worth it to replace a broken belt. I had one break on my fancy $60 Walmart variety two weeks ago and I got 2 of belts for $2.99 and it just took a call to my buddy Mike (Crash & Burn) Hennecy to come over and loosening a few screws. Can't do it yourself or don’t have a Crash & Burn in your life? You're probably looking at a minimum of $30 to take it somewhere. On the other hand, if you're smelling a burning smell, it might be the motor, a major repair, that likely isn't worth it for less expensive models.
TV and/or DVD player: I’ve already discussed this one and with today's televisions and DVD players most are more economically replaced plus have so many new features and efficiencies. Unfortunately if you’ve already replaced it with the latest and greatest I hope you invested in the lifetime warranty. DVD players are so inexpensive now that almost no one attempts to fix them and the technology is changing so fast that yours is probably already out dated. One important tip is to always use a surge protector to prevent voltage spikes, one of the number one things that ruin televisions, DVD players and computers.
Lawnmower: If you pay someone, like I do, to do your lawn you dont have to worry about this. If your lawnmower is running sluggish, it could be something very simple, like bad gas (gas left from the previous season), which should be drained. It's usually worth it to get a tune-up for your mower, and to replace the blades, about $20 and one bolt to loosen or even to have them sharpened (also inexpensive). However, if your mower starts knocking or blowing smoke, that's a much bigger and costlier problem that might empty your wallet. So head on down to the local big box store and buy the latest greatest in a new one or watch your neighborhood for the local guys cutting grass and get a bid.
Refridgerator: If your ice cream is soft and your milk is warm, don't panic yet. It may just be a dirty condenser coil, an easy fix. If you know your way around a fridge: unplug, take off the back, and use a vacuum to blow air onto the coil to clean. Otherwise, have a tech do it. It's also not too costly to replace fan motors, light switches, or water valves. If your compressor dies, however, that's a big-ticket repair. The same applies for the electronics. If you shop smart, watch sales at the big box stores or the scratch and dent sales you can get the latest thing for a reasonable price. We replaced our refrigerator last year with a large side by side stainless steel model with ice and water on the door that does more things than I have space to write about including a beeper when I stand in front of the door open looking for something to snack on. I may as well have bought it from Jenny Craig. It retailed for $1300+ we got it for $700 still wrapped up in its original packaging although it was billed as a floor model.
Oven & Range: If your oven isn't heating, it's likely the bake element coil (in electric ovens) or the igniter (in gas). At around $30-$50 for a coil and $50-$80 for an igniter (plus labor if you can't do it yourself, but they're quick jobs), it's usually worth fixing. For burners that aren't working, it's usually the electrical connection (especially if the burner is working intermittently) and is usually worth having a tech look at.
Microwave: While there are a few minor and inexpensive fixes for microwaves, like door switches and light bulbs, it's often not worth it. First, working with microwaves is generally not for do-it-yourselfers (unless you are well-versed in electricity), so service can be costly. Second, the price has come down so much that it's cheaper to replace your $100 microwave than to pay $150 or more for a major repair, such as a circuit board.
Room air conditioner: If you are still in the dark ages and cooling with window units and they aren't cooling anymore, it could be a quick fix or it could mean it's time to throw in the towel. Cleaning the back of the coil is the first step--a job for a DIY-inclined person (or a service person can do it relatively inexpensively). However, if it's an issue with the refrigerant, that's a pretty expensive repair. It may be worth it if you have a larger wall unit. But for smaller window units, it makes more sense to replace. If you haven’t heard, they now have central units that can heat and cool your whole house. A window unit can be an expensive thing to run and the economics and efficiencies of new central units can help to offset the cost long term and additionally give you a far better level of comfort year round.
Water heater: It's pretty simple with water heaters. If you have a leak, don't repair, replace. In terms of maintenance and getting the most out of your water heater, once a year, it's a good idea to pull the plug, drain the tank and wash it out so that sediment doesn't get stuck in the tank (which can lead to brownish-looking water). The general problem with water heaters other than leaks are burned out heating elements (there are 2 , one on the top and one in the bottom)in electric models and thermostats. Both issues are easily handled if you are an accomplished DIYer but if not its time to call the plumber or an electrician. A good well taken care of water heater should last 10 to 12 years so don’t replace unless it is nearing that age.
Garbage disposal: A garbage disposal that's simply jammed is definitely worth fixing. Twisting the turntable manually with an Allen wrench can usually clear the jam. Replacing the turntables altogether is a more costly option (ripping it out may be the same price as replacing). And if there is water leaking at the base, it's a sign that the seal has failed and is likely running into the motor and it's time to replace.
Washer: A washer that won't drain probably has an issue with the pump, which can be as simple as something being caught in it (small articles of clothing, like baby socks, can sometimes get pushed out and make their way into the pump). If the pump itself is broken, you're probably looking at a $125-$200 repair, usually worth it for a good washing machine. I had to replace a timer on my washer 2 months ago that cost me $150. If I had known it was the timer I could have done it myself and saved $135. Sometimes it pays to go online and look for solutions in the discussion forums.
Dryer: If your dryer isn't heating up, it's most likely the heating element (electric) or the igniter and the coils on the gas valve (gas). Both are mid-level DIY jobs. It could also be as simple as improper venting (the vent is too long, or it's plugged up)--something you can troubleshoot yourself. Thermal fuses may also need to be replaced (the fuse blows if the dryer overheats). Most of these common repair jobs run $100-$150, another discussion forum solution to look up and do it yourself.
Faucets: Well we all know that the most common problem with a faucet is a leak. Depending on the quality of the faucet this may be a simple DIY project with parts readily available and sometimes free along with help provided by the manufacturer. Most of the better American brands now offer a lifetime warranty on their faucets so check with them before you pick up a pipe wrench and do some permanent damage. There has been many new innovations in plumbing fixtures from water savings to touch technology. Before investing in a new faucet contact my friends at NBS (866) 355-0310 and let them help you make a decision as to whether to buy or replace.
I hope this information has at least encouraged you to think about repairing or replacing the next time you come across a problem.