Reasons to Never Leave your Appliances Running Unsupervised Part 3 - Halt!

This situation certainly is not as serious as any of the others but it is annoying nevertheless. Sometimes appliances simply stop in the middle of doing what they are supposed to be doing.

Imagine that you have clothes in the washing machine or dishwasher; it starts the load and fills with water no problem but partway through the cycle or when you hit the drain cycle it just never does it. Your poor clothes and dishes will be sitting with a tub full of water and food and dirt! No matter what temperature you start the cycle at it will eventually return to room temperature and become a petri dish for bacteria.

This kind of situation is well... ripe, for mold to start growing and there is also a possibility that water will start leaking from any small imperfections or damage in the system.

Keep your things smelling fresh!  Don't trust that your appliances will work perfectly every time just because they normally do.  Next week we'll include important details on why, legally, you should not run your appliances when they are unsupervised.

Reasons to Never Leave your Appliances Running Unsupervised Part 2 - Damage

There is always the possibility that a machine may damage itself when it is running either because something has gone wrong or because it has been loaded improperly.  One example that I'm sure everyone has shared is with a washing machine.  

Ever overloaded your washer or put something too heavy on one side and it started banging around on the spin cycle like an old western shootout?  It's a terrible racket and even if you were sleeping you would probably hear it and wake up but the unfortunate truth is: every bump and bang is the washer drum hitting the outside panels and other parts in the machine and each one is a possibility for the drum to get damaged.

Dents in a drum might be able to get hammered out but any cracks in the drum and you will need to replace the entire thing!  Since most models have the drum attached to the motor assembly at the bottom and panels and supports surrounding it removing the drum to replace it essentially calls for a complete and utter disassembly of the washer.  A lot of technicians won't even bother doing this type of repair because the drum is an expensive part and the labour is as well since it's a hard job.  Often it is cheaper to purchase an entirely new washing machine than replace the drum.

If you've gone out (or are a very heavy sleeper) and don't stop the washer while it's banging around there are other things that can happen as well!  The machine will start moving around on the floor from the force of the motion possibly causing scratches on your floor and the drain or water hose leading to the washer may become disconnected and cause a flood!

Keep your home and you appliances safe and only run your machines when you are home!  Part 3 will be up later this week with more tips of things to watch out for.

Reasons to Never Leave your Appliances Running Unsupervised Part 1 - Fires

This time we're going to do several articles covering reasons why you should never run your appliances when you are not home or awake to watch, or listen, to them working. While this is something that just about everyone has done at some point this is actually a terrible thing to do. Ignore those that say it is a great energy and money saver and here is why:

Fire Hazards:

Dirt, lint, grease and other things can build up within your appliance and nearly all appliances get hot while they are running. This can be because it is necessary for them to work properly such as a dryer or a dishwasher or as a simple side effect of moving parts and electricity.

If the appliance has not been properly maintained and cleaned there is a risk that the debris can get hot enough to catch on fire. Even with proper maintenance however there is always the risk that wires have not been insulated properly; whether as a manufacturer defect or due to work that was done on it later.

Any money you may save while running an appliance at night is not worth the risk of it catching on fire while you and your family are asleep. At best the machine will be damaged, possibly beyond repair, or you could be looking for a new place to live if it goes badly.

Keeping a Washing Machine Smelling Good

Front Loading Washing Machines are excellent, energy and water efficient appliances but just a few forgetful moments is all it takes to have the washer pick up a bad odor.  If the door is left closed after running a load or any wet clothes are left inside for too long the washer might have some mold start growing.  Fortunately there are a few different tricks to cleaning out your washer.


Buying Cleaner Packets

You can find washing machine cleaner packets just about anywhere you can find soap for the machine but the chemicals used here are rather harsh and those with sensitive skin may want to steer clear.  Anyone particular about using natural products should also give them a wide berth, there are natural options that you can use instead.


Vinegar for the Win

Vinegar and baking soda aren't just for making science fair volcanoes; they are extremely efficient at cleaning appliances and other items.  Mix up 1/4 cup of baking soda, and a 1/4 cup of water; keep 2 cups of vinegar on the side.  The soda/water mixture is essentially your soap, so put it in the detergent bin, pour the vinegar directly into the drum of your washing machine. Run the washer on the hottest water setting and let the vinegar and soda do all the hard work.  You will need to follow the wash cycle with a bit of scrubbing around the seals of the machine, be thorough but gentle, the door seal can get ripped rather easily.


To help prevent this problem in the first place you should keep your front loading washer door open in between washes.  This will allow the washing machine drum to dry out and help cut down on mold.

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.