Strange noises in the night, sudden stoppages,
uncontrollable shaking – does this sound like your dishwasher or washing
machine?
With so many appliances in the house,
you’re bound to experience snags every once in a while. Calling out a repairman
for every problem can be hard on the hip pocket so here are some
troubleshooting tips to try on your own first.
Washing
Machine
Most washing machine breakdowns are easily
fixed without having to splash out on calling in a repairman.
Use basic principles to figure out what the
problem is. If the water’s not working, it could be the hoses or valve. If it
won’t, it could be the motor or the belt. Or, if it won’t drain, check the pump
and the drainpipe.
A wobbling washing machine is caused either
by an unbalanced load or poorly adjusted legs. The former will resolve itself with the next
wash if you make sure to load it evenly. To readjust the legs, lift up the
machine and use a wrench to raise or lower each one.
Washing machine leaving a puddle of water
on the floor? This is most likely due to a leaking hose. Check the connections
where each hoses attaches to the back of the machine, the water line from the
wall and the drainpipe. Also look out for holes in the hoses. Even the smallest
hole is a liability so ensure you replace any damaged hoses – this is a
straightforward and affordable operation.
Refrigerator
When there’s an issue with the fridge, you
don’t want to leave it unattended too long. Here are some easy DIY solutions
for common fridge problems.
A leak could be caused a loose valve in the
icemaker or water dispenser, if your fridge has those features. Pull out the
fridge and look for the leak; chances are you’ll spot it easily. If the leak is
from a valve, tighten the compression nut. If a tube itself is leaking, you’ll
need to replace it.
An unlevelled positioning can also cause a
fridge to leak. Under the fridge is a pan where water drains into. If the
fridge is tilted then the water can spill out of the pan. Simply level the
fridge.
Clothes
dryer
Dryers actively remove lint from clothes.
Lint build up clogs the dryer’s lint trap, vents and blowers. So, make sure to
lint trap every time you use the dryer. The lint screen is located either near
the door sill or near the control panel.
Dryer doors are sealed with gaskets to keep
hot air from escaping and cool air from going into the dryer. A damaged or worn
gasket will make the dryer less efficient. To check the gaskets on your dryer,
hold a piece of toilet paper near the door edge’s while the machine is running.
If the paper flutters that means the gasket is leaking and needs replacing.
Oven
Most gas oven issues involved the supply and
ignition of gas, while for electric ovens it usually involves the heating
elements.
One of the common causes of ignition issues
is food clogging the burners. Switch off the power supply, remove the burner,
soak it in mild soapy water and wipe clean with a cloth. Replace the burner
after it’s dried and turn the power and gas back on.
Important
note
Practice the upmost safety when dealing
with appliances. Always unplug all power connections before interfering with
any parts.
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