Real Life Adventures by Gary Wise and Lance Aldrich for August 03, 2021

I’m not sure about newer machines. Older ones if it stops working it’s usually the timer. And those suckers are expensive.

Occasionally something breaks around here, and I fuss with it, slap it, bang it against a wall… and it starts to work correctly. When my wife asks me how I was able to fix it, I reply, “Gee, Honey; it was pretty technical — I’m not sure I could explain it to you.” [Yes, she’s figured out that’s code for “I have no freaking clue.”]

Washers I can do. Dryers I can do. Plumbing I can do. Refrigerators, not so much.

YouTube has saved me an estimated $500+ in labor costs this summer. I never trusted my mechanical skills but the labor shortage and gouging estimates (when you can find someone for a small job) forced me into it.

An experienced person could do the jobs in less than half the time that it took me to do but each experience has some knowledge gained that is transferable.

Next task is the flashing around the chimney that the guy hired last year screwed up. My wife is not thrilled that I will be on the roof but I believe I can still handle it although I am not telling her that I will be hesitant.

Still not to the point of messing with anything regarding the electrical system…with or without YouTube.

What to do? … Call someone to try to get it fixed?

… or see if someone has a cheap used one (that works)?

… or just go out and buy new one?

… wait a week and see if it will “fix itself”?

“What’s wrong with it?” Answer—“Sledgehammer.”

The most frequent cause of problems with washers is the safety shut-off when you lift the lid. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.

Dirt in the mud valve? Cecil valve quit ceciling?

Might need some relative bearing grease?

Brush up on your McGyver episodes.

What difference does it make? If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t. You have to get it fixed.

I enjoy fixing things until it becomes an endless chore. Then it’s time for new appliances.

That’s what repair companies are counting on.

Our fence on one side had to come down because our new next door neighbor is building a house. We had a small unwanted volunteer tree growing right on the fence line into and over the old fence so it had to come down. It was too big to cut down with a hand saw, especially with my arthritis, so I popped for a reciprocating saw. It was expensive, but the general rule is if you buy the tool and use it only once, it’s still cheaper than hiring someone, and you have the tool for next time.

Sattinger’s Law: It works better if you plug it in.

I work at Home-po. Easy fix , disconnect, unplug , and put on curb. I think we have one on sale.

A real handyman