Keeping appliances maintained helps to stave off small problems from getting worse and extends their life, not to mention keeps the manufacturer’s warranty active for longer. If only we could keep our appliances in the best shape possible, some of our warranties would last for years and years.
And, when something goes wrong, breakdown or malfunctions, it can end up being extraordinarily expensive to fix, so taking steps in advance to prevent this is vital if you want to stay in business and alive.
Refrigerator
Appliance repairs and replacements can be among the costliest uses of your home’s money, but you can avoid most of these expenses with preventive appliance maintenance, such as clearing lint from dryer filters or wiping down refrigerator coils every few months.
For efficiency’s sake, you should also clean your coils – and cleaning them prevents ice from building up in your refrigerator’s back or bottom compartments. (To get to the coils, you might have to remove a grille or access panel first.) A dirty freezer fan needs attention, too – otherwise, some of the air can leak out and efficiency can drop by as much as half.
Simple regular cleaning and attention will keep your appliances working well, reducing the risk of breakdowns or further problems, saving energy and perhaps money on utility bills while at the same time extending working life. Of course, you should stay with manufacturers’ recommendations in terms of cleaning regimes and never use caustic or corrosive cleaners. Most importantly, this practice will ensure your appliances are covered under any home emergency insurance and warranty protection plans you might have.
Dishwasher
Maybe your dishwasher is running excessively long and you think that’s a fault. Well, in the case of my machine, it could have been the water intake valve. It’s a white, fan-shaped piece of plastic that opens and shuts to let water into the machine when it needs washing.
Here, you need to go to your local hardware store (or online) and replace this part. Another less inexpensive issue is clogs blocking the spray arm: food detritus, hard-water scale and other junk can be removed with soapy water and/or a toothbrush or even dish-washing detergent used along with or instead of a product specifically meant for the plate cleanser.
And, if you have hard water in your home, it is also a good idea to regularly clean out and wipe down the inside of your dishwasher, and clear out the drain and area surrounding it as well. This will help stop soap scum and mineral buildup from forming in your machine and potentially causing you to need an after hours plumber from Thomas & Galbraith later on.
Washing Machine
In an ordinary family, the total load is usually between five and seven a week. For a device being used so often, the washing machine and dryer in homes will have to be kept in a neat condition and maintained regularly so as to make them keep functioning properly and last for a long time.
Improve Your Laundry Results
Dirty filters ones that have not been replaced for awhile make washing more of a challenge for the machine and can actually damage your clothes in extreme cases ensure that your machine has functioning drain pumps and hoses to prevent drainage issues.
Enhance Safety
Power cords showing fraying, loose wires, connections and malfunctioning electrical equipments are potential sources of fire that can cause health hazards to occupants of the house. While the owner of a house can satisfy their curiosity regarding defects of these equipments with a little research, a regular inspection and servicing by certified technicians can identify a problem before it turns into a major issue.
Check washing machine hoses for leaks. Washing machine hoses are prone to accidental stress that can lead to a rupture, so be sure that there is a tight seal between the machine connections and water-valve connections, and that the hose has no cracks or abrasions.
Dryer
Washers and dryers provide an invaluable service by washing our clothes. However, they also provide an incubation chamber for mould and bacteria growth; therefore regular maintenance is a necessary factor for performance and reliability.
By making planned and regular cleaning/maintenance appliances can serve longer, less energy will be consumed and therefore cost for home owners will be cheaper on utilities bill. Ideally home owners must be instal an appliance in right place by open spaced on all four side in a range of ventilation.
Likewise, in addition to helping ensure efficiency and avoiding fire risk, don’t overfill your washer or dryer to protect them both from inefficiency and from fire risk. Run a cycle on the dishwasher every 1-2 days: pull away from the wall every 6 months or so to inspect for blockages and leaks in the dryer venting: don’t slam or drop lids, as doing so can break the surgace and possibly damage contents.
