Nov 15, 2005 19:07
So, yeah, the acquisition of a new washer/dryer combo is supposed to be a day of great joy, right? We reduce our water and electricity usage (we went with an electric washer instead of gas because the gas company told us not to. No, really) and get shiny new devices in the basement. Yay!
Of course, that comes before the installation. Installing a washer is, well, easy peasy. Screw on the water connectors, stick the outlet into that plastic thing, plug it in, badda boom, badda bing, you're done.
The dryer? Oh, yeah. That way lies madness. The plug, for example, is this strange industrial connection with five different plugs. That you must plug in upside down. UPSIDE DOWN. It's like something out of a video game puzzle.
But that's the EASY part. Because, then, ladies and gentiles, you have to install the ducting. Ah, ducting. Such a simple word. It sounds like a creature with feathers and webbed feet. But it's more like wrestling an alligator. First off, the easiest/cheapest ducting to deal with is that plastic stuff. Of course, it's also specifically verboten by dryer instructions, due to its propensity to catch fire.
As I mentioned previously, our first attempt did not quite work, as the straight tube was two inches too short to attach.
To fix the issue, we got a pair of 90 degree extensions, put one on the wall, the other on the dryer, and hooked an eight foot length of aluminum (not foil, mind you) ducting to them. Two connectors and some duct tape later, and it was victory. The sheets and towels dried nicely.
For now. We'll get back to you shortly.