Maintaining a Ceramic Top Stove

A Ceramic or glass top stove is an excellent modern appliance but there are a few extra tricks to keeping them clean and protecting them from damage than the older style radiant element stoves.

While the perfectly flat surface may be tempting to use as extra counter space by leaving items on top but this can be a bad idea; you might place items on it while the surface is still hot. The surface is rather durable but if it is cracked you will need to replace the entire surface and that part is very expensive even before an appliance technicians labour.  Be cautious with what is placed on the stove and ensure nothing heavy can fall on it; if you have an over the range microwave ensure it is installed properly!

Cleaning can be rather simple as long as you keep a few tips in mind:

• Try to clean spills as soon as they occur and only use damp cloths to prevent anything from melting onto the cooktop.
• Never use abrasive scrubbing pads or you will scratch the surface or leave streaks on it.
• Avoid strong chemical cleaners. A simple paste of warm water and baking soda usually does the trick.
• Aside from wiping up spills; always clean when the surface is cool
• If something is stuck on and just not coming off find a cooktop scraper; several have been designed specifically for ceramic surfaces and can clean without causing damage.

If an element stops working you are going to need an appliance technician to repair it for you; do not try to do it yourself! Electric appliances draw in more power than small appliances and the risk of electrocution will have greater consequences. The cooktop itself is also difficult to work with and should only be done by someone with training on how to remove and reinstall without damage.

Why is my Dryer Taking Hours to dry?

Have you noticed that your dryer doesn't really do the job that it's supposed to do well?  There are several different things to check for before calling up the manufacturer to complain.

Is it getting hot when it runs?  All dryers have a heating element, or igniter system if they are gas, in them and just like stoves and anything else that uses one they are bound to wear out eventually.  Check if your clothes are hot during a normal cycle.  It is not necessarily the heat element causing your dryer to not heat up but it is the usual suspect.

Is the drum turning while it runs?  Dryers need pockets of air to form in between items to dry anything really well.  Your items run the risk of getting scorched if the drum is not turning as well. Fortunately most machines include a safety feature that will not allow the dryer to be run if the drum is not sensed to be turning.

When was the last time you had your ducts cleaned?  If this is a new problem that has come up with a machine you've had for years you should be checking your notes for the last time you had the machine and the ducts cleaned.  If there is not enough air flow going through the machine it will not be able to dry anything properly as moisture needs to be wicked outside; typically through a duct system.

What style of dryer do you have?  If you have a new "ductless" condenser dryer the bad news is that while it is wonderfully convenient that you can place it anywhere in your home the lack of a vent does mean longer drying times.  The excess moisture in the air that circulates in the machine passes through a condenser in an attempt to remove a majority of it but each subsequent load will result in a build-up of moisture and a longer wait time.

If the ducts are not at fault and you do not have a condenser dryer you need to call an appliance technician for service.  Dryers, like all appliances, use a high voltage for their power and it can be dangerous to dissemble them without training.  If you are in the Greater Toronto Area SOS Appliance Repair Inc can provide professional service to your dryer and most other household appliances.  Contact us for more information.

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.