Sitcom writers once got plenty of mileage out of the sight gag of a clueless husband flooding the laundry room with suds. As long as you use the right amount of detergent, you're unlikely to have this problem. But other issues may indicate that it's time to get rid of your old washer or dryer and get a new one.

The washer is more susceptible to problems, so it will likely be the first one you have to repair or replace. Jeff Flowers, writing for the small space resource Compact Appliance, says some issues include water leaks, excessive noise, water not filling the drum, or vibration that moves the appliance.

A dryer may simply fail to turn on, or won't produce heat when it is active. The magazine Family Handyman says the drum may stop rotating, or the dryer might produce some unsettling chirping or thumping sounds.

Start by determining whether the problem is easily fixable. Flowers says your washer will leak if it is overloaded with clothes, or if the water line has worked its way loose. A lack of water in the drum may simply indicate a kinked hose, while noise or movement can occur if the washer is not level with all four feet on the ground.

Family Handyman says several dryer issues can also be repaired with minimal effort. Common fixes include replacing a door switch to get the dryer to start again, replacing a thermal fuse or radiant sensor to restore heat, changing the drum supports to eliminate noise, or fixing a belt to get the drum rolling again.

Some repairs are even simpler. Douglass Trattner, writing for the National Association of Realtors' home improvement site HouseLogic, says you should check off certain items before calling a repairman or shopping for a new appliance. Make sure the dryer vents aren't in need of a cleaning, look to see if a fuse or GFCI outlet has been tripped, and even give the electrical cord a glance to make sure it hasn't become unplugged.

If the problem can't be fixed with a do-it-yourself repair, you might consider calling a professional. Check to see if the appliance is still under warranty, since this will save you money on the service call. Damarious Page, writing for SFGate, says you'll also want to check to see if the problem is related to a recall notice issued by the company.

When deciding whether to repair or replace an appliance, you can follow the "50 percent rule." Trattner suggests that if an appliance is more than halfway through its expected lifespan and the repair cost is going to be more than half the price of a new appliance, it is better to buy new.

The lifespan of a washer or dryer may vary depending on when it was built. Flowers says that while many washers last eight years, newer ones can be used for up to 11 years. Trattner says dryers typically last 13 years.

Just because the washer may break down before the dryer, you don't have to buy both appliances at once. Kimberley Janeway, writing for Consumer Reports, says you can save some money by using your old dryer to its maximum potential after buying a new washer.

However, you'll also want to consider energy costs when buying appliances. Page says newer washers use less electricity and water, and they may qualify for certain rebates as well. If your laundry habits account for a good portion of your utility bills, the breakdown of one appliance may be a good time to update both your washer and dryer with more efficient models.