During normal operations of an appliance, certain noises are common and often expected. However, suppose the noises seem to be stranger than usual or abnormally loud. In that case, it may be time to call in a professional repair technician to alleviate the problem as soon as possible. By waiting too long, the issue may become more pronounced and require more extensive repair.
Troubleshooting Appliance Noise Problems
Refrigerator
From the hum of the compressor to the rumbling of the coils, no refrigerator is entirely silent. However, most of these sounds should be quiet enough that you hardly ever notice them. When you hear unusually loud noises, your refrigerator and the perishable items inside could be in trouble. Vibrating noises typically come from loose parts, such as condenser coils. To eliminate rattling or vibrating, tighten any loose parts or adjust feet to absorb the vibration.
Stove and Oven
While it’s normal to hear clicking when the igniter lights your gas-powered oven, loud clicks may mean you have underlying problems with your oven’s parts or gas lines. Fortunately, this is a fairly easy fix. First and foremost, make sure that the stovetop is cool. Next, remove the burner grate and locate the cap beneath it. Remove the cap and secure it on the base.
Your oven should be one of the more quiet appliances in your home. If you hear loud whirring or banging sounds, your oven may have a loose part or warped fan blade.
Vent Hood
The motor is making noise. Is your vent hood humming or making a clicking noise? The exhaust fan motor may need to be replaced. If your motor is loud, you could be dealing with fan motor bearings. Plus, fans that aren’t turning on or are louder than usual means that air isn’t flowing correctly.
Microwave
If your microwave is making an unusual or loud humming noise, you may have a problem with the magnetron or high voltage diode. These components are part of the high voltage circuit and provide the microwaves that generate the heat. If these parts are defective, it may cause a loud humming or buzzing noise. There may also be issues with the exhaust fan, turntable, or stirrer motor. These places will most likely need to be replaced by a professional.
Dishwasher
When starting your dishwasher, there’s bound to be some noise, including the water flow through the inlet fill valve and the buzz of the pump motor. But if your dishwasher is making unusual sounds, it’s time to troubleshoot. First, make sure the dishwasher racks are pushed in all the way and dishes are correctly positioned. Then, remove any chunks of food lodged in the spray arm area of the dishwasher. If the noise continues, there’s likely a more serious problem. If you hear consistent thumping, the drain line may be rattling against the cabinet. On the other hand, a loud buzzing noise may indicate that the wash or drain pump are broken or failing.
Washing Machine
When everything is going right, your washing machine is generally quiet. To avoid loud clanking noises, it’s best to have clothing of similar size and weight to ensure proper balance. As a rule of thumb, make sure to put towels with towels and jeans with jeans. Wash blankets or other large items alone. If the clothing is not balanced the proper way, it will cause vibration, noise, and unnecessary wear on the machine.
Dryer
Dryers can make a lot of strange noises. Often, the noise may be as minor as loose change in your clothes or an imbalanced dryer. Plus, simple maintenance like cleaning out the lint filter and clearing the vent lines could reduce the stress on your dryer. If the dryer noise isn’t eliminated after troubleshooting, a professional dryer repair technician can help.
Garbage
Is your garbage disposal making strange sounds or ceasing to work correctly? The most common problem is caused by materials that cannot be ground up and become lodged between the plenum and the disposal’s housing.
The most notorious culprits are utensils, though other hard objects may slip down inside the unit. To determine if an obstruction is causing these noises, look around the edges between the plenum and the housing. You can also carefully feel inside the disposal for foreign objects, but ensure that the disposal is unplugged or power is turned off.
Jammed internal mechanisms or knuckles can also lead to loud garbage disposal problems. This can happen when grime or food particles build up on the blades or when food becomes stuck between them. As a general rule of thumb, avoid putting any peelings down your drain to protect your plumbing.
Call the Pros at iFiX for Your Appliance Repair
Before calling in a professional, you should try all of the troubleshooting techniques listed above. It can save you time and money if you can solve the problems at home. If there are no visible obstructions or jammed mechanisms, you may want to consider bringing in a professional. We encourage you to call our Ogden appliance repair team. Our professionals have the experience, training, and resources needed to repair your home’s appliance properly. If you are in Weber or Davis Counties, iFiX is your solution for appliance repair needs. Contact us today at 801-731-4349 to schedule an appointment.
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