More Signs Your Appliances Need Repair

In last week’s blog post, we talked about general signs your appliances need repair. Increased electricity bills, strange noises, extended working time, and just plain inefficiency are some of the things might mean that it’s time to call an appliance repair technician.

Now, these aren’t the only manifestations of broken appliances. There are many ways that your appliances may be telling you that it’s having a hard time getting the job done. In this post, we’ll look at specific signs from specific appliances that you may or may not notice.

Is it Time for Repair? Signs to Look Out For

There are many obvious warning signs that an appliance needs repair –if it stops working, for example. While most appliances have similarities, they are more different than they are the same. So, let’s look at specific appliances and the signs and symptoms you should look out for.

Washer and Dryer

Most people use washer and dryers together, so you can observe them at the same time and see if you can find anything wrong. One common problem you may encounter is if the washer or dryer shakes a lot while its running. Washers and dryers have drums that spin – that’s how they work and you can expect movement and some shaking. However, if it’s shaking more than usual, especially to the point that the unit is actually moving on its own, then there many be a problem. There might be a piece of clothing (probably that lost sock you’ve been searching for) stuck somewhere in the machine. It could also be that the shock absorbers have become worn out or damaged. There are also a number of parts that are supposed to keep the drum steady, such as springs, damper pads, and dampening straps. Any of these parts could be damaged or simply worn out and need replacement.

Of course it could be a matter of an uneven leveling leg, which is a simple fix you can do without an appliance repair technician. Whatever the case, you should investigate why the drum is shaking before it gets worse and your washer and dryer won’t be fixable anymore.

Refrigerator

A good refrigerator should lasts you over a decade, as long as you take care of it. Usually, this just means keeping it at an optimal temperature, not overloading it with food, and sweeping away dust and dirt from coils. However, you may still run into some problems after a few years. First, listen – is your fridge motor running more often or more loudly than it did? That may mean the motor is having a hard time. Perhaps it needs a tune up or even require replacement.

Water leaking out, warm spots, or fluctuating temperatures are other signs you should look for. If you experience any of this, then you may have to call a professional.

Stove

Any problems with the ignition or the stove itself not lighting up is an obvious sign that your gas stove has a problem. However, there may be other signs that you might be ignoring. For example, your stove may light up, but once you turn it down to low, it just goes out. Not only is this annoying, but it might also be dangerous if the gas keeps flowing. If you have an electric stove, you might notice that the coils aren’t getting as hot as they used to. These may be problems that you’re ignoring, but may lead to more major breakdowns down the road.

Don’t forget your oven as well. If you use the oven to bake bread and pastries, you probably will notice minor problems. Your oven might have cool spots that cause uneven cooking. Or it might not be maintaining an even temperature while you’re baking. Also, you may experience problems with the controls or the temperature on the dial and the actual temperature inside don’t match. These problems can cause a lot of headaches and you should call an appliance repair technicians to diagnose the problem.

Dishwasher

If your dishwasher won’t turn on or drain out, then you know that’s a major problem. However, you should also observe how your dishes come out after you run it. Are they sparking clean or are there bits and pieces or a film over the dishes? Or, do your dishes come out with a bad smell? If so, then there may be something else wrong with your dishwasher.

Also, you should observe the noise your dishwasher is making while it’s running. It’s normal that it should make some sounds, but if you’re hearing loud noises that are out of the ordinary, then there may be something wrong with your appliance and you should call a professional appliance repair company to have it checked out before the problem becomes too unmanageable.

Garbage Disposal

A garbage disposal really only has one function, so most people think that the only thing they have to worry about is whether it turns on or not. However, garbage disposals may also experience other problems that may not seem like a major headache. For example, you might notice some leaks. While probably a little smelly and disgusting, your first instinct might be to just wipe away leaks. But, it might be worth it to investigate the cause of the leaks – is it just a clogged disposal? A part that needs tightening? Or is one of the parts inside worn out or broken? There could also be a problem with the way your disposal was installed, or worse, a problem with your pipes and you should definitely call a pro to find out the cause and get it repaired before it’s too late.

Calling a Professional Appliance Repair Company

We’ve talked about when to call DIY and when to call a professional – and for many minor adjustments and repairs, you should be able to do it yourself, which not only saves you money, but saves your technician time so he or she is able to focus on more major repairs. But of course, a good technician will always come to you when you need help and if you’re simply not comfortable doing it on your own or you would rather spend your free time pursuing your hobbies or with your family. In such cases, you should definitely call a pro whenever you need appliance repair.