When appliances begin to break down, most homeowners hope for a simple repair, since replacing a dishwasher, oven, or refrigerator can cost a pretty penny. Fortunately, roughly a quarter of all appliance repair calls are resolved with a straightforward solution. Here are some simple appliance repairs that don’t require a professional repair technician.
Easy DIY Appliance Repair
Dishwasher
The high loop is used to prevent potential backflow from the drain to the dishwasher. If your dishwasher has standing water after a cycle is complete, you may have issues with backflow. Most dishwashers drain into the disposal under the kitchen sink. If you look under the kitchen sink and find your disposal you will likely see a corrugated hose coming off of the side. This is your dishwasher drain hose.
If it looks like everything is downhill back to the dishwasher your likely getting backflow. This is likely an easy fix. Take some of the excess of the hose and lift it up as high as you can. Take a zip tie with an eyelet on it and attached the zip tie to the drain line. Then affix the zip tie to the cabinet as high as you can. This will prevent backflow if the drain line is raised high enough. This is referred to as a high loop.
Oven
If your oven door glass is cloudy and needs to be cleaned, unlock the hinges and remove the screws that line the top and bottom of the door. The door should split in half. Be careful to not allow glass to shift. It is recommended that the door be placed on a towel or blanket to prevent damage. Removal of the oven door is usually detailed in your owner’s manual. To clean the glass, use hot water, a scrub pad, and a degreaser to wipe off any debris. This is a safer and more effective way to clean than your oven’s self-cleaning option. If you notice cracks in the door seal, consider replacing it.
Washing Machines
More isn’t always considered better, especially when it comes to laundry detergent. It’s quite the opposite. Too much laundry detergent can harm your washer, leaving leftover residue on clothes and increased wear and tear on the pump, motor, and seals. Always measure laundry detergent using the measuring device that come with high-quality products. Err on the side of less detergent than more detergent.
Additionally, check your pockets for foreign objects. To keep your washing machine balanced, always put towels with towels, jeans with jeans, etc. Otherwise, you may create an unbalanced condition which can prematurely wear out the suspension. If you can’t get you washer to spin properly and the clothes are sopping wet, ring them out by hand before transferring them over to your dryer. If your washer is having issues don’t overload you dryer and cause additional issues.
Dryers
A clogged exhaust increases energy use and lengthens drying time, which can rack up your utility bills. Poor air circulation will also take a toll on the functional parts of the unit, causing them to wear faster. To combat this, clean the lint screen after every use. Plus, regularly clean and scrub the filter with toothbrush and dish soap like Dawn or Palmolive. You will know if your lint screen needs cleaning if it holds water as you hold it under running water. It’s important to note that too small of a load won’t contact the moisture sensors, so it’ll prematurely think it’s dry. With that said, it’s best to set your dryer time dry when doing a small load.
Disposals
First and foremost, don’t let food sit in your garbage disposal. Avoid tossing grease, oil, fat, harsh chemicals, egg shells, pealings, and other non-biodegradable foods that will stick or solidify to your disposal or drain. If your garbage disposal is stinking up your kitchen, fill disposal with ice and ¼ cup lemon juice. Then with a little water flowing allow disposal to grind up.
To fix clogs, check for foreign objects and use a screwdriver or service key to dislodge it. Some brands have a spot for a service key or Allen wrench on the bottom to manually rotate blades to aid in dislodging foreign objects. There is also a red reset breaker on the bottom that may need to be reset. Although this may be obvious, always unplug the disposal before sticking in your hand. If it’s leaking, put a bucket under it to identify if it’s the disposal, pipe issue or draining issue.
Refrigerator
Is your refrigerator making vibrating noises? This rattling typically comes from loose parts, such as condenser coils. Tighten any loose parts and adjust the feet to absorb the vibration. If you notice frost on the door or side wall, the door gasket may be the problem. If your door gasket isn’t sealing, look for objects that are blocking it. If you have airflow issues, or if the cabinet feels hot, vacuum the condenser coils, location and instructions are in your owner’s manual. Keep in mind that a jam-packed refrigerator can reduce airflow and restrict cooling capabilities, which results in inefficiency and areas of freezing.
Freezer
Ensuring that your freezer has space to breath is important. Sometimes our extra freezers have things piled on them and around them causing them to work harder than needed. This overwork can shorten the lifespan of the unit. Make sure that the top and sides are clear of things that may insulate heat in the unit. If your unit is a frost freezer. Make sure to defrost it annually. Don’t try to chip or break away ice. The shelving in these units may be the cooling source. Damaging refrigerant lines usually are not cost effective to repair. Be patient and just defrost the unit.
Icemaker
Stand-alone ice makers are awesome! However, it is imperative to maintain them. They need special descaling cleaners than need to be used every 6 months. Use cleaners that are recommended per the manufacturer. Instructions are usually printed on the inside of the door. If not consult owner’s manual for instructions. Life of the unit and cost for repairs are directly linked to proper cleaning and maintenance.
Microwave
One of the best things you can do to keep your microwave in tip-top shape is to clean the inside to avoid grease build-up. Grease can breakdown the enamel and cause plastic parts to become brittle. Additionally, remove additional racks unless you’re using it for multi-level cooking.
Vent Hood
Maintenance is the solution to most issues with vent hoods. Regularly clean or replace grease filters or traps. Allowing grease to saturate filters will decrease effectiveness and allow blow-by and allow grease to deposit on other functional items. Grease will break down plastic and cause it to become brittle and can reduce life of bearings and controls.
Trash Compactor
Only use trash compactor bags. Do not use any other liners or workarounds. Trash compactor bags are designed to keep form when the ram is lowered. Using other bags is risky being the can get intertwined in the ram mechanism. Don’t allow the trash height to get to more than 90% full. If trash is overfilled it can fall off and cause issues with drawer alignment and operation.
If you prefer to take a DIY approach, make sure to turn off the electricity or water before you attempt any repair. Also, don’t exceed your knowledge or comfort level.
Call iFiX for Your Appliance Repair
A faulty appliance can cause significant disruptions in everyday living. Perhaps the fastest, most fool-proof approach is to call an in-home appliance repair expert in Ogden, Utah, or the surrounding areas, Roy, Layton, Syracuse, Kaysville, Centerville and Bountiful.
Our professionals have the experience, training, and resources needed to repair your home’s appliance properly. Contact our professionals today at 801-731-iFiX (4349) to assess, resolve, and advise your appliance repair so you can resume your normal routine
