The Dad Advice Thread
 

The Creepy Uncle Thread is next door.

For those of us who lack a dad to turn to when life throws us curveballs and our mom wouldn’t know.


Hi Dads,

I’m having an issue with a squealing dryer. How do I know if it’s the belt or something worse without opening it up? I’m afraid of opening it and not being able to put it back together, but I don’t want to pay someone to do it if it’s ultimately an easy fix just bc I’m intimidated by aluminum panels.

The squeal could be a number of different thing. I'd have to hear the squeal and know model number, and even then I couldn't guarantee the answer is right. Best advice I can give is open it up and see if you can figure out what's wrong. You'll either break it and have to replace it or you'll figure it out and fix it.

Your dad Bob Vila

Also, “moms” are capable too. My wife is a master at mechanical things.
I’m more of an electrical guy.

Are you a dad? This does not sound like dad advice.

the character development I aim for in life is going from being someone who needs this thread to being an Advice Dad

All right, I'm obviously not a dad, but I am old enough to be one. So let me give you some real advice.

Messing with dryers, washing machines, cookers etc when you have no clue can be very dangerous. I believe that's part of the reason Plankton's place burned down, a faulty dryer or dishwasher or something? They get very hot and can potentially go on fire, so if it's an issue, put your independent female spirit aside for a moment and go ring a repair guy. It's better to get it sorted safely even if you have to shell out a little than sit there every day or night wondering what that burning smell is.

I'm serious: don't mess with this kind of thing. Get a professional. It's just not worth taking the chance.

I agree with you Trollheart. Not that a squeaking dryer is about to burst into flames - that's very unlikely imo.
As a dad, I would have this problem: I take off a panel, look inside and cannot possibly identify what's normal and what's not. Absolutely zero clue about identifying any problem.
That's why, for myself, I would either (i) learn to live with a dryer that squeaks or (ii) phone a guy who knows what he is doing.

How to Fix a Squeaky Clothes Dryer

I've found that squealing/screeching sounds often mean that a moving part has worn bearings.

Personally, from my very limited knowledge and experience of having to replace one (the whole dryer) it sounds like it's either the belt has worn down/stopped working or the drum is ****ed. Either require replacement but again, when dealing with something that can literally burn your house down, I would be very very cautious.

FYI

Dryer fires are more common than you think

Go ahead and remove the panel and take a look Steph. You'll be ok. I'd rub a bar of soap on the pulley side of the belt. They sell belt lubricant too. If it's still squeaking it's probably a pulley, or ^ drum.

This is exactly what I was looking for. Clear, concise, instructive, with a pep talk/confidence booster. Thanks, Dad.

I’ve had to replace a worn belt before, which is what I suspect the issue is here, but I am nervous that it’s a pulley problem. I highly doubt it’s the drum itself, the dryer isn’t all that old - it has been routinely overloaded though by Dogfood Roommates past. I will try lubing up the belt and go from there.

Re: dryer fires, I am fully cognizant of the dangers. I’m the self appointed de-linter of the house - I know too many firefighters to sleep easy with a full lint trap.

Jesus, a simple question disguised as a counseling session.

^ HaHa! Yes: one of his daughter having a sleepover with her schoolfriends, another of his wife loading up their dryer.

Congrats to Plankton, who is clearly Dad-Of-The-Year. :clap:

In my defence I realise I have never lived in a house with a clothes dryer. Instead, coin-in-the-slot laundromats in England, or "lavanderias" in Mexico, where women take in clothes and wash them pretty cheaply.

Let us know how you get on please, WWWP.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...wTXmQ&usqp=CAU

^ My mum's clothes dryer. Anyone having probs with this - I'm your guy!!

God damn it Lis! I thought that said "where women take off their clothes" and I was on the next plane to Cancun! :laughing:

Jesus ain't here, man.

Happy to help.

I've been going through some of the hardest 'Dad' stuff of my entire time as a Dad. My heart hurts for my little girl right now.

Oh no, what’s happening?

This is kind of my thing

She came to me for advise about getting married. She just started a career and has never really been on her own and wanted to wait. She's not ready to settle down and start a family, so my advise was to tell her hubby-to-be everything and don't hold back. Be 100% open and honest about everything otherwise those little doubts turn into regrets and loathing. She followed my advise and he kicked her out.

WOW well I’d count that as a bullet dodged. There are likely many underlying reasons she was feeling reservations in the first place - and it seems that she proved herself right. If dude can’t handle THIS difficult conversation I sure as hell wouldn’t trust him to handle future difficult conversations, like about bringing life into the world and what not.

You’ve raised a smart girl - more people should *want* to experience independence before settling down. I feel for her heart, what a horrible thing to receive in response to exposing your vulnerabilities, but with time she’s going to find at some level she knew all along this wasn’t it - she’s not going to settle for bull**** and that’s a Dad Win in my book.

That was my take on it as well. I don't like seeing anyone hurting and if it's my girl it's a thousand times worse.

Thank you Steph.

How's the squeak?

Opened it up and took a look, nothing noticeably worn or damaged. I’ve noticed after it warms up a bit the squeaking stops, so that leads me to believe it is a lubricant issue. Off to buy some bar soap for the first time since 1997.

Yes, that's one of the hardest things to do as a Dad, when you have to be cruel to be kind and see your child's dreams diminish because of something you have told them.
But yeah, WWWP is right: the way the guy responded shows that you and your daughter took the best approach. I hope she feels better about it soon.

HaHa! That service is no doubt available in Cancun. Let me know if you want more details. ;)

Thank you Lisna.

That shows an impressive level of maturity and self-possession if nothing else. Most people probably would have just kept their head down and hoped for the best.

Very well stated, Steph - and I totally agree.

He threw her out? Very unreasonable and immature of him. Definitely agree that she dodged a bullet there, given his behavior.

Still, I gather she's heartbroken and I'm so sorry for the pain she is going through. Glad you are there to guide her, P, as always.

Thank you Bat and ribs.

Yes, throwing her out was not the best response. He's a good kid and has an excellent job and all, but he's a bit of a hoverer and controlling. He put up a lot of money for the wedding venue and it's non-refundable, so that certainly went into his decision as well. Basically, my daughter didn't fit into his schedule, so he discarded her.

Three words: **** that guy. He wasn't worthy of your daughter. Hannah will find the right guy (or girl); there's no rush - she's still pretty young isn't she?
That's a bit personal isn't it?
:shycouch:

What a horrible, immature move of him after your daughter was brave and trusting enough to open up to him. I'm really sorry Plank.

Go ahead, he's single now.

She's 28 and just started a career with one of the top companies to work for in the US. She has a bright future ahead of her.

Thank you Marie.

Very sweet of all of you. I really appreciate the most kind words and it does help. Really it does. I don't want to hijack the thread tho.

So what would be the best way to hang a shelf?

Ideally it should have a trial first.

That’s a ****ty way for him to treat your daughter Plankton. I hope she’s okay.

What kind of shelf? I am interested in this too. I love doing things around the house on my own.

Fu ck that dude, sorry to hear about that Plankton!

Release its tax returns and private emails to the press.

Thanks Fletch, Mindful, and I forgot to say thank you Troll my friend.

I put up a shelf once.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSINnj2Q7rU

I think you mistook the question for "what's the best way to hang an elf on a shelf". Similar, but potentially more messy.

No, I didn't.

Actually, I'm pretty sure you did.