Frozen washing machine

[PamNY]

I wouldn't think a washing machine would be ruined by cold. There shouldn't be enough water left in there to cause much damage. It's probably just a hose or tube that burst.

I have to drain my Asko to clean the pump, and there's some water, but not much.

My mom had a similar utility room problem, and she used a space heater during cold spells.

[jessmarimba]

Wouldn't a busted hose inside the washer ruin the motor anyway, though? I will probably just get a new (or new-used) one. (Edit - I only paid $200 for the washer/dryer set, so paying labor costs to fix it is more than it's worth)

The space heater couldn't counter -20 degrees outside. It can marginally heat uninsulated spaces but not bring the temps up 50 degrees. I'm going to have to do something different next year. From googling, you can apparently "winterize" washers by running windshield wiper fluid or RV antifreeze through them. Something to keep in mind.

[PamNY]

The water that's left after the wash cycle would flow to the lowest level, which might be below the motor.

Yikes! Twenty below is a challenge. Good luck with winterizing -- however you do it.

[jessmarimba]

Woohoo!! http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Pr...e/Step-By-Step

It's a start.

Muirenn, how do you do the dropped ceiling? I'll probably try to add insulation to the walls in the summer. This room isn't heated and currently can't be sealed off from the house, so it's destroying my utility bills when it gets below, say, 30 outside.

[marni]

can I add a caveat that you should be very cautious of the asbestos siding and anything you do around it. Does the term mesothelioma sound familiar? If you do anything to that wall, wear protective clothing, a respirator or better yet get a professional to do it. As for the rest of it. good luck. Could you rig a door or slab of plywood to at least cut off the air flow between this room and the house. It wouldn't be pernanently sealed off but it might help with the temperature differential.

[jessmarimba]

Thanks guys

Marni, it's cool, I'm actually a licensed asbestos inspector. If I get any sort of respiratory illness it'll be from something scarier than the siding

[Mr. Bloom]

Is this the cyber equivalent of an Amish Barn Raising?