Latest news with #refrigerator
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Costco shopper's home ‘underwater' after $3.5k fridge installed – he was forced to move out but store wouldn't help'
A FAMILY says their house was wrecked and left looking like a "construction site" after their new $3,500 Costco refrigerator caused catastrophic water damage. The flooding was so bad that they had to move out days before Christmas, but claim neither Costco nor the installers have taken responsibility. 5 5 The chaos unfolded in Jacksonville, Florida, where Bradley Byrd says a faulty water line installation destroyed his home. The fridge was delivered and installed in December 2024 by a third-party contractor through RXO Last Mile, arranged by Costco. Everything seemed fine at first, until six hours later, when Byrd received a FaceTime call from his daughter. "She facetimes me and says, 'Dad, the house is underwater,'" Byrd told CW local affiliate WJXT. Byrd rushed home to find water actively gushing through the floors and soaking nearly every room in the house. A video he took shows water splashing around his feet as he walked through the flooded house. He said the installers failed to wrap and secure the extra water line properly. "They allowed it to go underneath the refrigerator, and they allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger," Byrd explained. The flooding ruined carpets, electronics, furniture, musical instruments, and even parts of the house's structure. The damage forced the family to flee and live in an Airbnb, just before Christmas. Homeowners fume as HOA imposes $400 bills after making costly service change - they fear losing water if they protest 'We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,' Byrd said. Air quality tests later showed dangerous mold levels across most of the first floor. "So far, I have spent about $300,000 on repairs, mitigation, third-party charges for reports and testing, and to get our belongings moved out and into storage," he said. A public adjuster estimated the total damage to be around $700,000. Byrd said the best offer he received from the companies involved was $175,000. "They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line," he said. Byrd took a $38,000 payment from Costco to help with temporary living costs, but emphasized that he hasn't agreed to any settlement regarding the damages. Instead, he has been gearing up to take legal action. 'I think that, unfortunately, is the next step,' Byrd said. He created a website to document the costs and raise awareness. According to his site, $360,000 was needed to repair the home, $76,000 to replace personal items, $78,000 for temporary housing, $117,000 for mitigation and storage, and $72,000 for legal help. As of now, the Byrds have returned to a partially habitable home that remains without a fully functional kitchen or bathroom. 5 5 5
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Family drowning in debt after 'routine' service from Costco goes horribly wrong
A Florida family has been left with $700,000 in damages after a Costco refrigerator delivery went horribly wrong. Bradley Byrd purchased the $3,500 fridge online from the superstore in November, which included installation. However, the free service ended up costing his family hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a faulty water line installation that caused massive flooding. The appliance was delivered and installed by an uninsured third-party contractor hired by Costco on December 2. About six hours after it was placed, Byrd said his daughter frantically called to tell him their house was flooded. 'She facetimes me and says, "Dad, the house is underwater,"' Byrd told local outlet News4JAX. The father said the water supply line had been improperly installed and caused flooding throughout his home. 'So what happened is, during installation, most of the extra water line is wrapped into a coil and taped on the back of the refrigerator like it is now, but the installers didn't do that,' Byrd said. The free service ended up costing his family hundreds of thousands of dollars due to a faulty water line installation that caused massive flooding 'They allowed it to go underneath the refrigerator, and they allowed the refrigerator's wheels to sit on a line, which caused a crack that grew larger and larger.' Video showed Byrd wading through the water that spread throughout his home and damaged furniture, electronics and even structural elements of the house. 'We got the tree up, Christmas presents wrapped. Everything was great. And then all of a sudden, a couple of days later, we had to leave,' Byrd said. 'Right now, we're down to what appears to be a construction site. Still, it looks like an unfinished home, because it is an unfinished home.' Byrd said his family was forced to leave their home, and air quality testing found high moisture levels and mold in a majority of the first floor. He claimed he was given an estimated total repair costs at about $700,000 and neither Costco nor the delivery company have been helping. 'So far, I have spent about $300,000 on repairs, mitigation, third-party charges for reports and testing, and to get our belongings moved out and into storage,' Byrd said. Byrd said he accepted a $38,000 no-strings-attached payment from Costco, but has not agreed to their $175,000 settlement offer. 'They drop the ball and are hoping that I foot the bill with my life savings for their bottom line,' he said. The family returned to their home in March, which does not have a fully functional kitchen or bathroom. Byrd launched a website to document the mounting damage and claims process he has faced. 'These are the expenses to pay for our alternative living, mitigate our house, and bring our house back to the same condition it was in before the damage,' the website states. 'Any enhancements, upgrades in materials, etc., are not reflected here. These are my cost to be made whole and not a penny more.' The website stated the approximate damage to the house is $360k, personal property damaged is $76k, alternative housing and living expense $78k, litigation and moving and storage $117k, and professional services to recover monies from RXO so far is $72k.
Digital Trends
23-05-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Samsung Memorial Day sale: The best washer, dryer, and refrigerator deals
The Samsung Memorial Day sale is finally online, so now's the perfect time to make some upgrades in your home. The brand, which is known for making some of the best phones and best TVs, is also a reliable name in the world of appliances, including washer, dryers, and refrigerators. No matter your budget and the amount of space you have, something will surely catch your eye in this year's Memorial Days deals for Samsung appliances. You can take a look at all the home appliances that are on sale for Memorial Day from Samsung through the link below, but we've also highlighted our recommendations below if you want to finish your purchase quickly. That's actually a good idea, because we're not sure how much longer stocks will remain available. You shouldn't wait until the last minute of these Samsung Memorial Day deals before you proceed with your transaction, as you'll be in danger of missing out. Samsung 28 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator — $1,699 $2,899 41% off For those who are looking for refrigerator deals, you can't go wrong with the Samsung 28 cu. ft. 4-Door French Door Refrigerator, especially now that you can get it with a 41% discount for savings of $1,200. The stainless steel finish gives it a very clean aesthetic, and the four-door design provides enough capacity for the needs of the whole family. One of the doors is a FlexZone Drawer where you can select among four temperature settings. It's also a smart refrigerator, giving you the ability to access controls from your phone. Samsung Bespoke 4.6 cu. ft. Washer and 7.6 cu. ft. Electric Dryer — $1,899 $2,699 30% off A smart washer and dryer is an excellent investment, and the Samsung Bespoke 4.6 cu. ft. Washer and 7.6 cu. ft. Electric Dryer is a fantastic choice from the washer and dryer deals of Samsung for Memorial Day. The appliance is tagged as an AI Laundry Hub that provides a space-saving solution, as it's a single machine with an easy-to-reach control panel. It also comes with the brand's AI OptiWash and AI Optimal Dry features that will make the necessary adjustments as it washes and dries your clothes. It's on sale at 30% off, for savings of $800.
CNET
12-05-2025
- Health
- CNET
Home Cleaning Hacks to Keep Your Fridge Tidy and Fresh
Your refrigerator is one of those kitchen appliances that's used often, but cleaning it can be such a hassle — especially if you have a family, roommates or are just really busy. Cleaning the fridge is one of those adulting chores you know you should do, but will put off for as long as possible. If you missed the spring cleaning wave, there's still time. As seasons change and allergies rise, it's vital to keep your fridge clean, on the inside and out, as it houses most of what you'll eat. Safely handling your food and beverages will rid your fridge of germs and bacteria that may linger. For a more sustainable way to keep your fridge clean and tidy throughout not only the warmer months but also the entire year, read on. Read next: Want That Organized TikTok Fridge Look? Here's What You'll Need to Buy 5 steps to keep your refrigerator clean ✅ Daily task: Wipe down handles and controls Using a food-safe, antibacterial wipe, take the time to wipe down the handles of your refrigerator each day. You should wipe down the buttons or controls for water dispensers and ice makers daily, too. s-cphoto/Getty Images ✅ Weekly task: Trash expired and old food At the start of each week, go through the food in your refrigerator. Toss old leftovers and expired food. Spoiled food can encourage bacteria growth and leave mold spores in your refrigerator, so it's important to sift through your fridge regularly. Not sure what's expired? Check each bottle and label for an expiration date. If you can't find an expiration date, play it safe and toss anything that you aren't sure is fresh. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends not only throwing out old or recalled foods, but also any foods that are stored next to them or touching them. Read more: Fresh or Foul? Expert Reveals Egg Shelf Life in Your Fridge Sort through your fridge each week to throw out any expired food or drinks. The Container Store ✅ Quarterly task: Give your fridge a deep clean Do a deep cleaning of your refrigerator every three to four months. To keep things simple, you may choose to do a deep clean of your fridge at the start of each season. To deep clean your refrigerator, you'll need to completely clear out all the food and put it in a cooler for safekeeping. Many people choose to try to finish most of the big food items in their fridge just before a deep cleaning, so they don't have to remove and replace a lot of food. Be sure to read your refrigerator's manual so that you know the best way to clean your appliance. In most cases, you will unplug the fridge or turn it off first. Then remove and thoroughly clean all the shelves and drawers in hot, soapy water or other cleaner, then replace them. Clean the walls of the fridge and every surface well. Don't forget to also clean the door and the interior top of the refrigerator. Read More: An Electrician's Plea: Don't Plug Space Heaters or These Other 6 Devices Into Extension Cords Every so often, take everything out of your fridge and give it a deep clean. Getty Images/EyeEm ✅ Biannually task: Clean your icemaker and water dispenser Many refrigerators come with ice makers and water dispensers. If yours does, it's important to keep them clean so that you continue to enjoy germ-free ice or water. The ice maker or water dispenser likely comes with a water filter that you'll need to change regularly. Most need to be changed every six months or so, according to Consumer Reports, but be sure to read your refrigerator's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations. Read more: Ice Maker on the Rocks? Here's How to Fix It ✅ Occasional task: Immediately clean spills When a mess happens in the fridge, clean it immediately. It's important to not let spills and messes get out of hand, otherwise your fridge can easily become a hotbed for germs and bacteria. If you have a spill, take a few minutes to wipe it down and make sure that it didn't spill on and potentially contaminate other food or beverages. Also, try to prevent accidents by storing your food in airtight, spill-proof containers. A good rule of thumb is that you should spot clean your refrigerator any time a spill happens or you see remnants of food and drink. Want more kitchen cleaning hacks? Check out the best way to clean your blender and how to clean a cast-iron skillet.
Washington Post
09-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
How to remove streaks from stainless steel appliances
Q: Pet sitters decided to use Bar Keepers Friend on my stainless steel refrigerator doors. (They said the internet told them this was how to clean them.) Both doors are now slightly discolored and have streaky spots. I have tried applying a light film of olive oil (more internet advice) as well as Weiman's Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish, neither of which has removed the streaky shadows. Is there anything I can do to return the doors to their original streak-free state?
