Ready for the Summer Heat?

It might seem silly to start thinking about summer when winter is still firmly making it's presence known all around us.  However, this is actually the best time to start looking at your air conditioner units.  Getting them serviced when no one is using them is a great strategy, it will ensure that it is easier to book an appointment for repairs, and it will save you from being uncomfortable later.

The last thing that anyone wants to do is wait in the blistering summer heat for an HVAC repairman.  Be prepared, get it done now when rates tend to be lower and more repairmen are available to fix your AC, it will be a decision you will not regret.

A few Cautions about Ordering Parts Yourself

Ordering the parts you need for your appliances yourself might save you some money since you will only need to pay someone else for installation but it can also be tricky to get the proper parts.  Here are a few things to look out for.

Ordering from Online-only Companies

Yes I'm talking about sellers on E-bay and Amazon and other sites like those or those without a physical address. While there is nothing wrong with the sites themselves, the problem lies with the sellers.  A lot of the parts that you find here, especially if the parts for your appliance are discontinued, will either be refurbished, non-OEM (aka: knock-off brand), or simply not as advertised.

It may be more expensive somewhere else, but you will be in far better hands ordering from an actual part supplier; preferably one that is local so you can see the parts in person before purchasing them.

Buying parts without your model number

A model number tells a supplier exactly what type of stove you have and approximately what years it was manufactured in.  A serial number will be more specific about when it was made but most manufacturers will use the same parts for all the models in the series and other models produced in similar years; so it is typically not needed.

If you go to order from someone and their only questions are what brand and type and not what model it is; it is extremely likely you're getting the most generic non-OEM part imaginable. They tend to be cheaper because they are made from worse materials, and they can even void your warranties. You want to avoid super cheap parts; they are cheap for a reason.


As one final warning: if your appliances are 2 years old or less you should avoid working on them at all or hiring 3rd party companies.  Most manufacturers have included a clause in their warranties that says if any "non-authorized" individuals work on a machine it will void all the warranties on it.  Check your user manual to see if you have that clause before reaching out for assistance.

Baking for the Holiday? Make sure your oven is working TODAY!

With Thanksgiving tomorrow (for us in Canada at any rate) you should check that your oven is not only heating, but heating properly today!

Nothing is worse than having plans to have family come over for a big dinner to find that your oven is not going to be able to cook the turkey, pies, or anything else that goes in the oven.

Most people do not check their ovens ahead of time and while most appliance repair companies do work on holidays, they will likely only be working for the first half of the day so they can go home to enjoy dinner with family themselves.  It will be hard to book an appointment the same day on a holiday, so take some time to make sure that your stove and oven are working!


If you don't have one buy a thermometer that you can leave in the oven and set the temperature to 375 degrees.  If your thermometer agrees with the stoves thermostat that it is in fact 375; turn it up higher to 425 degrees.  If they agree on that temperature as well you should be good to cook just about anything.

If your oven doesn't heat up at all call right away for service.  Even if you can't book an appointment for today you should be able to set one for early tomorrow still and bake as usual.

Fall is here and Winter is coming!

The weather is starting to move out of warm summer days and is moving into fall. Fall of course inevitably leads into winter; have you checked that your furnace is working yet?

It is extremely important to check that you can get heat before you really need it; not everyone does this and calls for service on the first cold day of the year can put the demand for service very heavy on appliance repair companies. Last year we, and other local companies, were booked for a week straight with calls for assistance with central air furnaces, mini splits, and other types of heaters that were not working.

Change your filters if you haven't yet; give the unit a good vacuuming, and see if it is working soon! Nothing is worse shivering in the cold in your own home.

Is your Dishwasher Filled with Bubbles?

Has someone put dish washing fluid in the dishwasher rather than the usual fare or is it just filled with bubbles? There is unfortunately a strong distinction between the soap you use to hand wash dishes and dishwasher soap.  Dishwasher soap is formulated so that it does not produce many, if any, suds or bubbles. While turning your Dishwasher into a bubble monster may bring joy to any children that see it it's not very practical and most new models of dishwashers will have a sensor that will stop it from running at all if there are too many suds.

Here is how to fix it:

Option 1: The Oil Method

This is a much easier method than the other but requires oil to work. As long as it is oil that you can consume, it is safe to use. Cooking oil or vegetable oil is best but olive oil will work just fine; it's just expensive by comparison. This option is the one most recommended by manufacturers aside from using specially formulated tabs.

• Add a 1/2 cup of oil to the machine and run on a rinse cycle or a light one
• Stop about mid cycle to check on the number of suds; add some more oil if needed
• If suds remain at the end of the cycle run it again with some more oil

Option 2: The Cinderella Method
This method is named after Cinderella as it involves some hand scrubbing. This is much more involved than the Oil option but you are more likely to have everything needed on hand. Be very careful of the heating element; if you ran a load recently it will still be hot.

• Remove as much of the suds and water in the machine as possible using buckets (or pans or cups... whatever you have)
• Wipe down the interior with a clean cloth (not one used for cleaning dishes or the counter and absolutely not a sponge that has been used before! Those things hold soap like nothing else)
• Wipe down the interior with a different dry cloth to get any more remnants
• Add 1/2 a cup to 1 cup (125-250 mls) of white vinegar to the dishwasher and then sprinkle salt on top of that; be generous you should use at close to a 1/2 cup of salt
• Start the dishwasher on a rinse cycle or light load and stop it after approximately 10 minutes; if there are still a lot of suds add more vinegar
• Continue starting, stopping, and adding vinegar if needed
• If one cycle completes with a very small amount of suds simply run it again with nothing in it to ensure the drain lines have cleared out

Vinegar can be used in washing machines that have too many suds as well; go easy on the salt though. You can also use the formulated tabs to clean out washers and dishwasher but the other techniques are far cheaper and shouldn't require a trip to the store; not to mention the tabs will use chemicals to get results.

Why Can't I get a Quote with an Error Code?

Newer machines have been taking advantage of the fact that their computer boards are more complex and manufacturers have been including error codes that are designed to help consumers fix small issues and technicians to pinpoint damaged parts or connections.  The problem comes when individuals without technical training attempt to diagnose broken parts and get quotes for repairs based on nothing but the error code.

Error codes are also called Fault codes and they can offer input into things such as the fact that your machine stopped because it was unbalanced, or because there are too many suds in the machine, or that the drain is not working.

With the final issue, this tends to be mistaken as an indicator that the drain pump is damaged and needs replacing.  While this is possibly the issue it is far more likely that the drain line is blocked or the drain pump has something stuck in it and it just needs cleaning, it is even possible that contacts between wires has faded and they just need to be redone.

While the internet is a great resource for information in general, looking up an error code and asking a technician to replace that part can be a huge waste of money as you may not need it replaced at all. Always arrange for an appointment to have a technician do a diagnosis in person; it is the only way you can be sure you are getting the repairs that you need done.

Filters: Why You Need to Change Them

Filters are a component of a lot of different appliances that don't get changed or cleaned anywhere near as often as they should.  From filters in your Central Vacuum or over the range microwave to the ones in your Furnace, these appliances are often tucked out of sight and you likely don't think about what is accumulating on them very often.

You should be changing, or cleaning if they are sturdy enough, your filters every 6 months if not more often. If you own any pets with feathers or fur you should be changing every 3 months; you may want to try to find a reusable filter that you can vacuum and wash to make things a bit easier but even that will require replacing with time. Be cautious with this style of filter after washing; they will need to be dried properly to ensure no mold has a chance to grow on them.

No matter what type of appliance the filter protects: If the filter is dirty it is harder to pull air through it which in turn makes the fan motor work harder to do the same job.  This additional effort will shorten the life span of the motor forcing you to get repairs or replace it much sooner.  Filters will always be cheaper than repairs or buying a new unit so take care of your appliances!  You will save money in the long run.

The Importance of Balanced Appliances

Having all of your appliances properly balanced may solve some problems you have had with your machine and will save on wear and tear if you haven't noticed anything odd yet.  Before checking any of your machines it would be best to first dig out the user manuals to read over the steps on how to balance them and information on any maintenance that should be performed. Finally before doing anything with your machines turn them off and turn off the breakers as well, safety first!


Refrigerators need to be balanced to regulate temperature properly, keep their doors and shelves properly aligned and without stress, and to allow moisture to evaporate properly.  If you are noticing that your doors are not staying closed or small amounts of moisture around your fridge about once a week you may have a balancing issue.  Consult your user manual and adjust the leveling screws until it is even.

Washing Machines move around a lot when they are running a load to clean everything properly.  If the washer is unbalanced you may end up with damage to the drum and possibly even to your home if it is very unbalanced.  To balance your washer properly you will need to adjust the leveling screws but first check to ensure that your intake and drain hoses have slack so you can pull the machine out a little, if they have no slack you may damage the hoses and have a much larger problem than you did before. Check your user manual to see how many leveling screws you have and how to adjust them.

Drying Machines move around a lot less than washing machines but you still need to take some care with them, particularly if your dryer is stacked on top of the washer.  It's possible your washer balance problem is being caused by your dryer. If your unit is a combo machine where the dryer is actually part of the washer you will need to balance the whole unit carefully and you may want a friend to help as it will weigh more than a single unit.

Dishwashers can also be imbalanced but you normally won't notice unless you develop a leak. Try to check the cupboards surrounding your dishwasher and the floor near it frequently to ensure there is no water damage.  Some dishwashers should actually be tilted slightly back instead of completely flat and even, consult your user manual for exact measurements and adjust the leveling screws appropriately.

Lost your user manual?  Find your model number and search online for it; ignore sites that ask for payment as you can find nearly any manual with enough searching. If you cannot find it online try calling the manufacturer and see if they can mail or email you a new copy, they will likely charge for this service however.

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.