The Saga Continues

...So I climb the stairs to find my wife braced against the wall trying to steady the washer as it spins out the load of towels. I figure the physics just doesn't work in her favor. As I see it, you have a 250 lb machine sitting on top of a pedestal atop a plastic pan loosely attached to a linoleum floor. All of this on a wooden structure with some small amount of 'give' to it. As those soggy towels transition to a high RPM this system transforms into a large pendulum which my wife isn't going to be able to stop. Our conclusion; a front loader is just not going to work in our situation.

After nearly two months, its time to find another solution. Another call to Home Depot and they agree to remove the monster and ask us to come to the store and pick out another set. We chose a nice top loader.

Yesterday was removal day. Three guys and a truck arrived to begin the "un-installation" process. As I mentioned before the added problem is the Stair Glide, and the inability to use a hand cart. First the three took out the dryer, relatively light compared to beast next to it. They were very careful to mop up water after removing supply and drain hoses, asking for rags to mop up any mess. Grunts and groans as they maneuvered the machine out of the plastic pan into the narrow hallway. Since there are no good hand holds on the washer, the handcart was brought in and strapped to it. The stairway provides only enough room for two, and the guy leading the way is carrying nearly all of the weight. He appeared to be the smallest on the team so I was initially concerned , until he got to the bottom stair and successfully did a dead lift over the stair railing and gently put the whole assembly down on the foyer floor. One strong dude.

Some final cleanup and they were gone, or at least I thought so. The team leader came back to offer his help should the installers balk at lifting the new machines up the stairs. Sure enough when the new machines arrived yesterday afternoon I was told that they were not allowed to lift above their waist level. They left the machines in the garage.

I called Home Depot and asked for help. She said that they were booked for the rest of the afternoon but that they would make arrangements to send someone out today. Coffee cup in hand, I'm waiting for a phone call.

...Home Depot just called. Two men are here by 9:00am to do the new installation. By 9:45am they have left. They carried both machines upstairs, carefully installed and tested each one, and cleaned up any packaging materials left on the new machines. I do not expect any additional problems, but if one should occur I know who to call.