What is your first instinct when a household appliance breaks down? It would probably be to quickly pick up the phone and get a repair technician to get to your location at the earliest. Of course, that’s a normal reaction, but did you know that you can fix many appliance problems by yourself?
Before getting to the DIY fixing part, know that purchasing household appliances is an intimidating task and one that you shouldn’t take lightly. It would be best if you asked the right questions, properly check the appliance model and its features, and then put down your money once satisfied. This move will ensure that you bring home a fully functional, smooth-operating appliance that will not run for a long time.
Next, you must make it your habit to properly maintain and use the appliances to increase their shelf life. However, even after taking all these precautions, there will come a time when your appliances will start to give problems. You can learn about appliance repair in Vernon BC,and take care of the minor glitches yourself. When it comes to refrigerator repair in Orlando, call Appliance Experts and they’ll get your fridge fixed for you.
Want some troubleshooting tips for the most common appliances issues? Continue reading.
Common appliance problems and their solutions
1. The refrigerator is not staying cool
If your refrigerator is not cooling properly, the contents you’ve kept inside will get spoiled. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this problem – cleaning.
You have to check the coils and make sure that they’re not clogged. Often, the coils get clogged, and this prevents the refrigerator from cooling properly.
Fix the problem by following these steps –
- Unplug your refrigerator
- The coils are located underneath the opening of the door or at the back. You have to remove the panel or pull the fridge out to expose the coils.
- Make use of a vacuum or brush to carefully remove any residue, dirt, or dust on the coils.
- If it is necessary, repeat this process.
Want to prevent it from happening again? Make sure to check the coils regularly and keep your fridge clean.
2. Unpleasant odor emanating from your fridge
Refrigerators can get smelly after they have been used for a long time. However, you don’t need to fret because this is quite normal and can be handled easily.
- You can make a homemade paste by mixing two cups of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar. You can apply this thick paste to the inside of your fridge and leave it for about fifteen minutes. After that, scrub it away properly.
- You can also fill a bowl with baking soda and leave that inside the fridge overnight. Then, the next morning, there will be no smell coming from your fridge.
But, if the smell persists after you’ve cleaned your fridge, it might mean that there is some other problem. Ensure to check the surrounding where you install the fridge to rule out any external factors contributing to the bad odor.
3. Clothes are not drying in your dryer
The dryer might be incapable of drying your clothes because the vent is clogged, making the appliance feel hot but not functional. Clogged vents prevent ventilation and air circulation throughout the dryer.
Moreover, clogged vents are a fire hazard, and you must instantly take care of the problem. To fix the issue –
- The dryer should be unplugged so that you can locate the vent. Ideally, you should find it at the back of the dryer.
- Remove the vent, and if there’s any debris or lint, it should be pulled out and cleaned.
- You can also use a vacuum to remove debris, dust, and lint.
If you clean your dryer regularly, you can prevent this situation from happening.
4. Smelly washing machine
A washing machine that smells can be quite unpleasant. Furthermore, it can make your clothes smell as well.
Your washing machine might be smelling because of a combination of water, dirt, and other residues, which might create an environment friendly for the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.
These steps can help you fix the issue –
- Pour vinegar into the drum or basket, mix detergent and baking soda, and run the washing machine in a high-heat washing cycle.
- Use a sponge to clean the inside of the appliance
Cleaning your washing machine regularly can prevent this problem from happening. Also, you can keep the door open after every wash cycle so that the washing machine can dry itself. Finally, don’t store your appliance in humid conditions.
5. Your dishwasher is not draining water
Is your dishwasher giving you trouble? Is the water not draining? There might be a clog, and you can resolve this way –
- Check the drain valve, and if there is any blockage, you should clean it immediately.
- The bottom of the dishwasher should be checked, along with the filter, to make sure that there are no clogs.
- You can also use vinegar and baking soda to clean your dishwasher, along with your washing machine that smells.
One of the best ways to prevent this issue is by avoiding overloading the dishwasher and ensuring that the leftover food is discarded beforehand.
6. Blocked garbage disposal
This is one of the most frustrating problems that you might face as a homeowner. A blocked or clogged garbage disposal means that you have to withstand bad odor and be at your wits’ end thinking where to get rid of all the garbage.
Garbage disposals typically get clogged due to any foreign object getting lodged or overload of food trash. Follow the steps to fix the problem –
- Use a sink plunging tool to plunge the disposal. But don’t end up using a bathroom plunger.
- Make sure that whatever item is clogging the garbage disposal is dislodged properly.
When should you call a professional?
If the same problems keep happening frequently or the issue doesn’t get resolved by following the steps mentioned above, you may have to call the professionals. However, remember that with regular maintenance and cleaning, you can keep your appliances in top condition.