Many home appliances tend to stop working all of a sudden. That is why you need to know how to fix things yourself. While it’s pivotal to ask for professional help, sometimes appliances don’t work only because of improper use. In some cases, you just have to change how you use them or fix their settings.
If you have a noisy dryer, an unreliable cooling HVAC, a clogged dishwasher, a leaky fridge, or a stove that does not work, you’ve come to the right place. This article will tackle some of the easiest DIY repairs for home appliances. But if your problem is somewhat bigger than the mentioned ones, you might need to check the machine’s warranty to help you take care of it.
Leaking Fridge
There are several reasons for a leaking fridge. It could be because of the clogged freezer drain or the self-defrosting drain system of the machine. Whatever the case, here’s what you need to do.
- The first thing you need to do is unplug the refrigerator. Determine where the defrosted water goes and remove it from the drainage pan.
- Next, take out the cover panel and look for the drainage tube. Once you find it, feed it into an empty bucket to remove excess water.
- Lastly, remove the upper part of the channel or drain tube. Get a hairdryer and defrost the ice that clogs the tube. Check if anything else blocks the tube and remove it carefully.
Broken Dryer
A broken dryer can make laundry days extra exhausting. Often, people experience two issues with their dryer: a noisy one and a dirty one. How will you fix this? Let’s start with the noisy dryer.
A noisy dryer is usually not a technical problem. One of the easy fixes to consider is using a smaller load of laundry and not overloading the machine. Another one is by checking if the machine is sitting on a flat surface. In many cases, a dryer makes noises when it is placed on an uneven surface, making it hard for the machine to function well.
The second common issue is usually caused when the owner fails to clean the dryer vent of the machine. It is a standard procedure to maintain the machine’s excellent performance and prevent it from breaking. To do this, you need to detach the vent tubing and vacuum out the collected debris inside.
Central Air Conditioning Issues
Maintaining a residential air conditioning system is not as complicated as a commercial one. Unlike malls and big establishments that need industrial air compressor filters for maintenance, sometimes, all you need to do is find out if your A/C is set in the right thermostat.
If your air conditioning is not cooling properly, or maybe you are noticing build-ups of dust in the filter, it’s probably time to run a test and replace the filters. Once you notice that your air conditioning isn’t working properly, take the time to check if the thermostat is set accurately, it should set to cool with the button on “On” or “Auto.” These simple hacks can help you run your A/C efficiently.
Cleaning Dishwashers
If your dishwasher seems to have a hard time doing its job, there are a few DIY techniques to fix it. But if the problem is way beyond the ability of DIY appliance repair, you might need to use your home warranty to cover repair expenses.
The first common problem with dishwashers is when it gets clogged with food. When this happens, water will not be able to get to the spray arms. As a result, you’ll end up with uncleaned dishes. The good news is that this is quite an easy issue to repair.
First, pull the lower rack and take out the filter cover. Make sure that your waterproof vacuum cleaner is right beside you as you do this. You need that to clean the filter screen. And while you’re at it, it would also be wiser to check the float switch to ensure that it’s not clogged. If the switch is jammed, wiggle it a bit, and it should be able to do its job once more.
Gas and Electric Stove
If your electric stove seems to be broken, try pulling the heating coil out of its place, then put it back and give it a little wiggle. You will feel if the coil is a bit loose, pull it out again and bend it a little outward to make it hold tighter in the socket.
On the other hand, the common issue of gas stoves is when the igniter has been blocked by food. The igniter is a ceramic nub that you need to clean from time to time with a toothbrush to remove the debris stuck on it.
Eventually, all appliances are bound to break at some point. But as the owner, you have the responsibility to practice proper maintenance to ensure their lifespan. Regular cleaning and maintenance practices are a must.