Water damage isn’t only caused by heavy rain or snowfall. Your appliances can also be the cause of flooding. The dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, and ice maker are all modern conveniences that make our lives much easier. However, without preventative maintenance, they can cause significant water damage.
Leaky appliances can be a costly problem. Even one drip of water in the morning may lead to structural damage by evening. Not to mention it can increase your risk for mold growth and unsanitary conditions. Here are our tips on how to prevent water damage from your appliances.
Follow Manufacturer’s Recommendations
The importance of routine maintenance for appliances cannot be underestimated. This is because every appliance has different requirements and will need to have its own specific schedule followed, in order to operate at optimal performance levels. In between inspections, one should keep an eye out for puddles of water around the appliance or dampness on it–signs that you may not be following a strict enough cleaning regimen with your current methods!
Check the Seals
If you are seeing a leaky appliance in your home, one of the first things to check is a seal. Appliances like refrigerators need proper seals and gaskets so they can keep cool air inside as well as warm air out. Appliances that aren’t sealed properly can leak water due to condensation and moisture build-up. Plus, you’ll most likely notice an increase in your electric bills.
Level the Appliance
Have you noticed your refrigerator or washing machine is leaning a bit to the side? This can put extra stress on their mechanical parts and lead to a wet mess. Typically, manufacturers recommend the front of the refrigerator to be approximately 0.25 to 0.5 inches higher than the back. Do dishwasher’s, we recommend using a carpenter’s bubble level to see if it’s level. If the bubble doesn’t center itself, adjust each leg to the proper height. We recommend keeping the machine as close to the floor as possible.
Upgrade Your Appliance
Old appliances tend to leak as their parts and connections age. Replacing old parts may just be a temporary fix. So if it’s been awhile since you’ve upgraded your appliances, consider investing in new ones.
The Takeaway
The idea behind checking up on your appliances condition regularly isn’t just about preventing catastrophes like leaks from happening when they are least expected. It’s also necessary to prevent costly repairs down the line due to malfunctioning equipment.
Schedule an Appliance Checkup Today
We offer a variety of services when it comes to appliance repair. Whether you’re having issues with leaking kitchen appliances or a laundry appliances, our expert appliance repair technicians can troubleshoot and solve the problem. We work hard to provide our customers with the best appliance repair experience possible. If you’ve given your home appliances TLC and they’re still malfunctioning, give iFiX a call today for all your appliance repair needs this spring.
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