Troubleshooting Appliance Issues
When an appliance breaks down, homeowners often rush to call professionals to fix it or to the local box store to purchase a new one.
When an appliance breaks down, homeowners often rush to call professionals to fix it or to the local box store to purchase a new one. However, sometimes homeowners can troubleshoot their appliances to determine whether the issue is a repair or an easy maintenance fix.
Here are tips for troubleshooting common appliance issues.
All appliances fail to work
If the power goes out, the issue might be the house’s power or the municipality’s power source. A situation such as that requires a call to the local electricity provider.
However, if one appliance fails, the fault may be the outlet or the appliance itself. Before jumping to conclusions, it’s advisable to connect the appliance to one or more outlets in the home to determine whether it is the outlet or the appliance that is affected.
If all the outlets in a space have failed, the circuit breaker might have tripped. Homeowners need to reset the breaker on the electrical control panel by moving it to the “Off” position and then switching it to “On.” For outlets near wet areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, it is advisable to check if the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) has tripped. If the GFCI has been tripped, the red reset button can be pressed to restore power.
If the outlets don’t work, it’s best to contact a certified electrician.
If the appliance still won’t function, even in another room, it’s time to contact an appliance repair service.
A leaking refrigerator
When all is well with a refrigerator, it should not leak. Typically, the water it produces through condensation or melting ice goes to the drain pan, where it evaporates.
When puddles of water form under the refrigerator, a homeowner should check if:
The refrigerator is tilted correctly: When the refrigerator is not adequately balanced, water won’t flow to the drain and collects, then overflows. Proper tilting by adjusting the leveling feet should ensure the back is slightly higher than the front.
Damaged drain pan: A drain pan collects all the water from the refrigerator. If it has cracks or holes, it’ll cause leaks. In this case, buying a new drain pan should resolve the problem; it may require a professional for installation.
Gas stove igniter clicks but does not light
A gas stove igniter that clicks but does not ignite is a safety hazard, as it releases gas into the air, and a fire could result if a spark occurs anywhere else in the house.
The common cause of this problem is a dirty or wet igniter. A homeowner should remove and clean the burner cap to clear the issue. Also, a pin can come in handy to pick dirt from the groove. The other obvious solution is to ensure the gas valve is open.
If there is no apparent reason for the igniter’s failure, contact an appliance repair service.
Smelly washing machine
A smelly washing machine doesn’t do an efficient cleaning job. Instead of clothes coming out clean and fresh, they carry an unpleasant odor. Worse still, even rinsing the clothes several times might not help.
To remove the bad odor, a homeowner should mix two cups of white vinegar with half a cup of baking soda and pour it into the drum. Then, use the hot water setting to run the cycle. Also, wiping out the drum and rubber seal and leaving the washing machine open after use helps to dry it well to prevent the build-up of smells.
Most appliance maintenance concerns are simple. However, even with good general maintenance, appliances fail, and homeowners need a professional for assistance.
Mr Fixer takes pride in providing quality refrigerator repair, washing machine repair, dryer repair, and stove repair services in Atlanta, Georgia, and surrounding areas. Call us today at 404-924-4606 for written estimates. We repair appliances of all makes and models.
