Don't Overload Your Washing Machine

Loading a washing machine with a lot of items can be a rather risky move that should never be done on purpose. When you overload your washer the weight of the items inside of it can exceed the capacity that it is designed to run at. What this means is that the weights inside of the unit that affect how the drum spins will not function properly and there is a good chance it will damage itself while running.

Most people have overloaded their washing machine or not balanced items inside of it properly at least once. When this happens there is usually a mad dash towards the machine to stop it while it bangs around loudly like a live band. Those bangs are the drum inside of your machine actually hitting the surrounding panels and the frame inside of it and each and every hit can damage the drum.

If a crack forms in the drum it will need to be replaced and replacing the drum is typically a very expensive repair.  It depends a little on what model of machine you have but typically the machine will need to be almost completely disassembled and then reassembled.  Cracks and dents to the drum are considered to be atypical use of the machine and your warranty, even if it is still in effect, will not cover the cost of repairs.

Be cautious of how you use your appliances to get the most out of them!

Have a Leak? Take a Look First

Washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators (with or without an ice maker or water dispenser) all have a risk of springing a leak.  Even if you do not want to repair it yourself you should take a quick peek at it to try and guess where it is coming from.

Depending on whether the leak is part of the pipes from the sink, the line running from the appliance, or the appliance itself makes a very large difference on who you should call for help.  Plumbers and Appliance technicians should both be able to assist with the drain or intake line that goes between the two but only an appliance technician can fix your machine if the leak is coming from the machine itself.

A little looking can save you trips from two different professionals, both of whom will likely charge you for coming to your home.

Rinsing Before Using the Dishwasher

While your dishwasher can certainly handle some food clinging to it's filter and still clean your dishes well you do need to rinse all of your dishes before putting them in to ensure the best clean over the long run.

Some of our clients have been dismayed to hear that the reason their dishwasher broke down is because too much food was left on items and their filter developed a hole.  Debris getting past the filter will lead to a clog in the circulation system which is an integral part of how any dishwasher, no matter what the brand is, cleans dishes.

Just remember that anything that is on your dishes might end up staying in the dishwasher.  Just imagining some food items sitting inside the dishwasher load after load should be enough to inspire you to rinse before loading.

The Importance of Clean Dryer Vents

The vents used by the dryer allow for hot air to be cycled out of the house and lowers the amount of time needed to dry items.  While there are no hazards from having a dryer vent air inside of the house, newer models of dryers are actually designed to not use one, there is a potential fire hazard with the vent itself.

While it is very common to have the laundry set up in the basement this can cause problems with the venting system.  Dryer vents should have as few turns and vertical lifts as possible before they exit the home so they should be installed against a wall that goes directly outside.  While the lint catch that is part of your dryer normally does a good job at catching most of the lint, even the most avid of cleaners will have lint build up inside of the dryer and the dryer vent.

Your dryer vent should be cleaned out every single year if not more often.  There are a number of inventions on the market that will allow you to do this yourself with just a drill or another tool or it can be done by a professional.  Look through your user manual to see how often you should be cleaning the inside of the dryer and put a note on the calendar to have your vents serviced yearly. A bit of maintenance can prevent a lot of trouble down the road.

Appliance Do's and Don'ts - Running Hours

You should never run any of your appliances when you are not home, or awake, to supervise them while they run. Any money that might be saved by running them at night when power consumption is lower is not worth the risk of a fire, a flood, or the damage that might occur to your machine while it is working.

Dryers are a potential fire hazard as lint builds up within the machine and in the ducts. Even the most conscientious of users who cleans the lint trap after every use will still have lint get past the trap.

Dishwashers and Washing machines both have the risk of leaking or overflowing while running and can cause mild to severe property damage.

Washing Machines can also damage themselves while running the spin cycle if their load is unevenly distributed.

Even hood fans, be they over the range microwaves or a dedicated hood fan will have grease build up in their filters over time and become a fire hazard.

Be careful and be aware, for the things that you can control only let them run when you are there to make sure there are no issues. Appliances are expensive machines and if you can avoid damaging them you will be saving money.

If you need assistance with maintenance or you have any concerns you can always contact us for help.

Preparing for the Winter Chill

This is the time of year where appliance repair companies are starting to think about winter.  Late summer or fall is actually the best time to have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is working correctly.  Preventative maintenance is key and a majority of home owners will not have their furnace inspected before they need to turn it on one chilly day and discover that it is not working.

This usually means that every company that offers repairs on heating units; whether they are furnaces, fireplaces or portable heaters, will find themselves flooded with phone calls for help.  If you are not quick enough you might need to wait for a day, or more, before you can even have someone out to see your furnace let alone get it up and running again.

Just as you should have your air conditioner or heat pump inspected during the winter, remember to have your furnace inspected during the summer or the fall.  If your furnace is a central unit, filters tend to go on sale during the summer as well so you can save some money.

Refrigerator Maintenance

Following up on my Summer Refrigerator Woes I thought I would continue some advice on fridges and keeping them running.

How often do you clean your refrigerator?  Have you, in fact, ever done it?

Unfortunately this is something that is very easy to forget about and you should do it at least twice a year if not more often.

Go digging for your fridges user manual to find advice on when and how to service your refrigerator.  If you're not sure where it is or you have "misplaced" it, do a quick search for "How to Maintain a Refrigerator" and you should get a few tips on what you need to service and perhaps a video or two.

Good luck and beware of dust bunnies!

The Most Asked Appliance Repair Question

The most frequently asked question when clients call us is "How much would it cost to have part A replaced?". A question such as this is normally followed by a question of our own; we ask whether or not a technician has been out and done a diagnosis. The answer is frequently "No.".

While we certainly understand that everyone wants to be frugal and get the best possible price for their repairs, it's important to remember that Appliance Repair Technicians not only require training to do their jobs in the first place, but they often need to update their training every single year.  Simply put, there are a lot of different brands on the North American market and while they can be similar in design and function none of them are made the exact same way.

One diagnosis does not fit all brands and you should be extremely cautious of anyone who gives you a quote for replacing a part with just your description of the issue over the phone.  Wires sometimes get burnt, contacts fade, pumps, hoses and ducts get clogged. You don't necessarily need to replace the entire part; you may only need some good old fashioned elbow grease from someone that knows how to pull the entire machine apart.

Always call for a professional to do an on-site diagnosis of your machine. Anything less and you are only getting someones best guess on what the issue is and it is quite likely to be incorrect.

Contact us to arrange for an appointment from a trained professional who will provide service you can trust.