Like other appliances, it comes a time when you have to get a new washing machine. When should you replace a washing machine? You will hear many people asking. Sadly, signs that your appliance is on its way out aren’t too obvious, so you have to be keen to pick them out.

To help you out, here are signs given by appliance repair professionals that your appliance is giving up on you:

The machine is leaking excessively.

Do you have water on your floor every time you do laundry? Your washing machine has a problem. Some problems are easy to fix, but in other cases, they are a sign of a much larger problem and it’s time to get a new appliance.

Your appliance will leak due to plenty of reasons. One of the most common ones is due to a broken hose. Most washing machines have two hoses: one for hot water and the other for cold.

These hoses connect the washer to the water source, which is typically in the wall. Like other hoses, since they are pressurized, they are prone to cracking and rupturing.

If having a leaking problem, inspect the hoses. If they have cracked, you have nothing to worry about as they are easy to replace. To avoid future leakages, replace both hoses. Not one.

The leakage might also be due to a damaged seal. Seals don’t come cheap, so before replacing them, determine whether you should get new seals or invest in a new appliance.

If your washing machine is more than 10 years old, you are better off getting a new unit.

You also should get a new appliance if the washer tub is cracked. This is because fixing a cracked tub is a major repair and not worth fixing if you have an old appliance.

The appliance is making a lot of noise.

It’s common for the washing machine to make some noise when working, but if yours is noisier than anticipated, you have a problem in your hands that you need to address as soon as possible.

Your appliance will sometimes sound as if it’s about to take a flight. You shouldn’t worry too much about this problem as it’s often a sign your machine is unbalanced. To fix the noise, position the washer so that all the feet are level.

You can do this by building or buying a platform for the washing machine to sit on. You can also check whether your washing machine has adjustable levels on its feet. Most of the modern appliances have them, and are easy to use.

If you try leveling the washing machine, but the noise won’t stop, you must be having a problem with your motor mount or drum. Contact a service technician to determine whether you can fix it and the amount of money it will cost you.

Again, if your appliance is old and the repair professional is charging a premium fee, there is no point in trying to fix it. Get a new unit.

Water doesn’t fill the drum.

If the drum in your washer isn’t filling up, you must be having delayed cycle selection, a problem with hot and cold water faucets, and hose kinks.

If you inspect all of these areas and they aren’t the source of the problem, your appliance might be having a complication such as with the water intake valve or filter, and this one needs an expert washing machine technician to look into it.

Issues with the switch and belts can also bring about this problem. Belts are easy to fix, but if the issue is due to a malfunctioning lid, you have to set out a significant amount to cater for the repairs.

Depending on the age of the washing machine and the amount charged by the repair professional, you should determine whether you should repair the appliance or get a new appliance.

Final thoughts

Regardless of whether you decide to get a new washing machine or stretch more life from the old one, remember, a washing machine has a lifespan of about 10 years. If your unit requires complex repairs, you are better off replacing it, but if the repairs are minor, let a washer repair Springfield professional look into it.

The post When Should You Replace A Washing Machine? Appliance Repair Professionals Answer first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Many homeowners term dishwashers as the most expendable kitchen appliances as the act of cleaning dishes is a mere convenience. After all, you can clean the dishes with your hands, right?

According to dishwasher repair professionals, owning a dishwasher isn’t all about convenience—it comes with plenty of other benefits. If you are asking, do I need a dishwasher? Here are some of the reasons you should get one:

Dishwashers save time

The time you spend to load the dishes in the dishwasher and hit the start button is minuscule compared to washing and rinsing every bowl, plate, knife, or fork by hand.

Since you have more time in your hands when you clean the dishes with your dishwasher, you can spend the extra time engaging in other activities such as spending time with friends and family, reading, knitting, or tackling other house chores.

Dishwashers are more hygienic.

When cleaning the dishes by hand, you use old sponges that are usually hotbeds for Salmonella and E.coli known to cause food poisoning. Washing the dishes with a dishwasher is an entire ballgame. Since the appliances use hot water, they kill all the germs, which leave your dishes clean and sterilized.

Modern appliances even have the HygienePlus function that ensures maximum hygiene by killing 99.9% of germs. They achieve this by rinsing the dishes at temperatures of up to 70 degrees Celcius.

You can’t do this when cleaning dishes by hand, can you?

Dishwashers save you money.

You might think we are mad when we say dishwashers save money, but this is the case. According to the EPA, most faucets use 2.2 gallons of water per minute.

Dishwashers, on the other hand, use 3 gallons of water per normal wash cycle. So unless you have superpowers and you can clean all the dishes in under two minutes, the dishwasher has got you beat already.

You might argue that dishwashing machines use energy, so you save on your power bill, but a recent study showed that just 10 hand-washing sessions use more energy than needed to build a dishwasher.

Dishwashers save your skin.

The constant act of hand washing your dishes leaves your hands rough and dry, or even cracked and bleeding if you have a commercial kitchen. When using the dishwasher, the work is done by the machine—not you.

This is relieving, especially if you have a large kitchen or suffer from arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

When cleaning the dishes, you are at more risk of dropping your dish or knife, which not only increases the chances of breaking your precious and expensive dishes, it also increases your chances of getting hurt.

Dishwashers are stress reducers.

Many people hate doing dishes. I remember growing up and doing the dishes was the prominent bone of contention between my brother and I. We used to pile the plates up, and I know this is the case with most homeowners.

A recent study showed a direct link between the amount of clutter in the house and stress levels. As the mess piles up, the more stressed someone gets. So when you procrastinate on cleaning the dishes, and you let them pile up, you increase your stress levels.

With a dishwasher, you are less likely to put off cleaning the dishes as you only need to put the dishes in the dishwasher and press the start button.

Dishwasher tips

While dishwashers bring plenty of benefits to the table, you need to use them properly to get the most from them. Some of the tips to consider include:

Keep your dishwasher clean: A dirty dishwasher means dirty dishes, so work at keeping your dishwasher as clean as possible. Every few days, remove the screen and filter then clean your appliance.

Load the dishwasher properly: You need to load your appliance properly for it to clean the dishes properly. The cups should go in the top rack, plates, and bowls on the bottom rack, pots, pans, and baking dishes angled properly for water to reach the inside, and stagger the dishes, so they don’t nest together.

Always aim for a full load: When cleaning the dishes, always aim to run the dishwasher when you have a full load. According to appliance repair Fairfax professionals, this ensures you get the most of the water, energy, and detergent.

The post Do I Need A Dishwasher? Dishwasher Repair Experts Answer first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Microwave ovens are like any other electrical appliance, in that it will gradually wear out. This is due principally to gradual degradation of the magnetron tube that generates the energy that heats the materials that you put into it. If you’re interested in how a magnetron tube converts high-voltage electricity into microwaves, there’s a Wikipedia entry here. For most of us, though, it’s enough to know that over time, the tube will wear down and produce less microwave energy, requiring more time to bring things to the desired heat. In higher power-rated microwaves, the degradation may be less noticeable for a time, but for lower powered units, a fall-off may mean that the device is no longer very useful.

If you’ve thought that your microwave no longer cooks as quickly or as thoroughly as it used to, you may be correct. One common sign is that you hit a preset power and time setting, such as to pop microwave popcorn or heat a coffee mug of water, and it doesn’t quite do the job. Of course, the speed at which it cooks when it is new depends on the power rating. Higher powered microwaves are often rated at around 1200 Watts, and some even higher. Low power models are typically 700 Watts rated. Anything under 700 Watts is probably not very good for cooking food. You can see how to convert power ratings and times required here.

Down and Dirty Test #1
So, how can you test? Well, the most obvious way is to find out what your microwave’s power rating is (often noted on the back of the appliance, and certainly in the owner’s manual), and use the time for specified power instructions on some microwave friendly food’s preparation instructions. If you don’t want to waste food, a packet of microwave popcorn might be a good place to start. Presumably, if your microwave isn’t heating to what the power rating and time of preparation expectations are, it isn’t performing to specifications, although this assumes that the preparation instructions are accurate.

Down and Dirty Test #2
Another down-and-dirty way of testing is to fill a coffee mug with water and boil it on high (the microwave’s default setting) for 1 minute. The water should in most cases have begun to boil by then. Again, though, this is just presumptive proof that it’s not operating to specification. What it means, more than anything, is that our expectations have been raised to the point where we think that is a reasonable time in which water ought to boil in a microwave.

More Scientific Test: The JIS Microwave Power Method

You can find this method outlined at Celtek Electronics. You need:℃

2 identical 500 mL beakers (or other microwavable containers)
An accurate thermometer
A stirrer (wooden is good, like a popsicle stick/tongue depressor/coffee stirrer)

1) Stir and divide 1000 mL of water that’s 20℃ plus or minus 5℃ into the two containers, to ensure that they are both of the same temperature.
2) Measure the temperatures of both, add those temperatures and divide by two to average the results.
3) Position both containers near the center of the microwave’s turntable. At full power, switch the microwave on for 60 seconds.
4) Remove both containers immediately, stir, and measure the temperatures the same way: note each and add together, then divide by two to average.
5) Now subtract the starting temperature average from the ending temperature average (for example, 40 minus 20 equals 20). Now take that number, and multiply by 70 to give the estimated wattage. In this case, 20 times 70 equals approximately 1400 Watts.

Compare that to the manufacturer’s specified power. If it’s not near the mark, it may be time to get a new microwave oven. Even if it’s close, it may be that your life circumstances have changed, and you find you need a larger capacity or a higher power rating for a growing family, or maybe you’re doing more food preparation than you used to, or you just want a change.

Whatever is causing your dissatisfaction with your microwave, Dave’s Appliance has the experience and the selection to get you the unit that will suit you best. They are happy to put their experience at your service. Give them a call.

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It could be a simple fix, or not. If it is, you are going to have to be a little handy, and it helps to have a multimeter and to know how to use one. When in doubt, call a professional or replace the unit.

The first thing is to check that it is properly plugged in, and to check the circuit breaker. You might want to try testing the outlet with another appliance before making a trip to the circuit box.

If all of that seems fine, the first thing to check will be the door latch. Has it been sticky? Has it been loose or not closing properly the first time? If the safety interlock on the door isn’t making proper contact, this will prevent the microwave from turning on. The reason is that the door must be properly closed in order to prevent stray microwaves from endangering your health. It is a safety feature.

Testing the Interlock Switch

1) Unplug the microwave.
2) Check the hooks that are on the door to make sure that they are not deformed. If they are, this can prevent the interlock switch from permitting the microwave to be turned on. You can think of the door hooks as being a kind of key that activates the interlock switch.
3) If the door hooks seem to be fine, and lining up properly with the interlock switch, you can remove the interlock switch by unscrewing it from the microwave.
4) Now set your multimeter to Rx1, turn it on, and touch the probes to the terminals. You should see a reading of “0” [zero], indicating that the circuit is continuous.
5) If your switch is not continuous, you can try spraying it with contact cleaner, thought that is likely a temporary solution. If it is not, you will want to get a replacement switch.

If you feel uncomfortable with any of these steps, you are probably best off contacting Dave’s Appliance instead of fixing it yourself.

Checking the Ceramic Fuse

If your microwave won’t start, and you can’t get a reading on the display, it could be that the ceramic fuse has blown. This fuse is there to protect the electrical components of your microwave from damage in case of power fluctuations. If the fuse is blown, nothing on your microwave will work until it is replaced.

1) Unplug the microwave.
2) Locate the fuse near the power cord. This may entail removing the microwave from its cabinet. Remove it.
3) As with testing the interlock switch, set your multimeter to Rx1, activate it, press the probes to both ends of the fuse. It should read “0” [zero]. If you don’t have a multimeter, and you happen to have a replacement fuse, though that is unlikely, you can try replacing it, but be very careful to make sure you have the proper replacement. You can also bring your fuse to a local electrical supply shop, and have them test it for you and get a replacement, if that is the problem.

Again, if any of the above makes you uncomfortable, it is best to seek professional help. The folks at Dave’s Appliance have seen these problems thousands of times, and can give you the advice you need.

For all other potential problems involving microwaves, you are best leaving things to the pros, unless you really have some good electrical problem-solving chops. Check to see whether your unit is still under warranty. Or maybe it’s just time to replace your microwave, although in many cases owners have become so accustomed to how a particular microwave works that they are reluctant to part with it. Or perhaps the microwave you have is part of a kitchen appliance ensemble that matches, and you don’t want to disrupt the way it hangs together.

At any rate, the helpful professionals at Dave’s Appliance are happy to advise you in the way that best suits your needs. Give them a call.

The post How To Fix a Microwave That Won’t Turn On appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

According to washer repair professionals, the primary reason homeowners damage their washing machines is due to improper use. Have you been having issues with your appliance? Here are washing machine dos and don’ts:

Do read the tags

It’s no secret washing machines have come a long way, but despite all the technological advancements, they can’t read tags and tell the right settings. It’s up to you to do it.

You should note that failure to read the tags results in color bleeding, fabric shrinking, and even damage to your priced attire.

 Don’t use extra detergent.

You might have the impression using extra laundry detergent will get the clothes cleaner, but this isn’t the case. You are better off washing your load twice in a row with a normal amount of detergent than use extra detergent.

If your clothes are too dirty, use the prewash setting that you can use to remove the extra dirt. The reason you shouldn’t use extra detergent is because extra soap won’t rinse away properly, so you will have your clothes still with soap by the time you are removing them from the washing machine.

Extra detergent also means water will remain in your clothes and wind up deposited on the interior of your washing machine, where it risks gunking up the appliance components.

Do balance the machine.

An unbalanced washing machine is not only noisy, but it also works harder, so you end up with a huge electricity bill at the end of the month. The overworking appliance also tends to have a shorter lifespan.

To solve this, balance your washing machine. Thankfully, the process is simple as it involves adjusting the machine on the bottom corners, which takes a few minutes, and you don’t need to involve a professional.

Don’t leave wet clothes inside.

When you are multitasking, it’s normal to forget you have clothes in your appliance, and they sit there for a long time. This is wrong as the clothes tend to grow mildew and smell, which is bad for you, your washing machine, and your clothes.

To avoid this, set a timer on your phone to know when the cleaning cycle is complete. Don’t let the clothes sit here for long. Switch them immediately to avoid a smelly, damaged load.

Do clean the washing machine.

Since you use the washing machine to clean the clothes, it remains clean, so you don’t need to clean it, right? Wrong. Like any other appliance, you should clean your washing machine regularly.

Set the machine to a hot cycle and add a cup of vinegar to it. This will sanitize it and remove the off-putting smells. You don’t need to involve a technician but if you aren’t handy, let them help you out.

Don’t overload the machine.

Cramming the entire load in one go won’t save water or energy. You also won’t complete your work fast. Clothes crammed in the washing machine don’t move around enough to get a proper clean, so you are forced to rewash them.

For best results, put just enough clothes in the washing machine.

In the same way, you shouldn’t overload the machine, you shouldn’t wash small loads using a large load cycle as the machine will consume a lot of water and energy. Use the right cycle for your load size.

Do empty your pockets.

Before you put the clothes in the washing machine, check whether there are tissues, coins, keys, or any other item in your pockets. Remember, even a small item such as a coin or metallic button can damage the washing machine. Items such as tissues can cover the entire load in white fluff, forcing you to repeat the cleaning.

Do let expert professionals handle complex faults.

Even with the best care, it’s common for the washing machine to develop problems. For example, the water pipe can get blocked. When such issues come about, unless you have the skills, let a certified and experienced commercial appliance repair Alexandria technician handle them.

You don’t want to attempt fixing the appliance and cause more problems than were initially there, do you? When hiring the repair technician, ensure they are experienced enough. They also should be insured so you are safe in the event of an accident.

The post Washer Repair: How To Use A Washing Machine first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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You move to a new home and find there is no dishwasher, and you don’t want to wash the dishes with your hands. Is it hard to install a dishwasher? You wonder.

Dishwasher installation involves electrical, plumbing, and carpentry work. If there was already a dishwasher in place before, it’s plug and play, but if you are installing the appliance for the first time, there is a lot of work to be done and I wouldn’t recommend it to a newbie who has never done similar work before. Hire a dishwasher repair expert to help with the installation instead.

If you are a DIY ninja and don’t mind handling the dirty work, you should go ahead and do the work. To attain perfect results, follow these steps:

Turn off the water and electricity in the kitchen.

To avoid accidents, turn off water and electricity in your kitchen. Find the location of your home’s breaker box and turn off the electricity in your kitchen. You also should find the location of your home’s shutoff valve and turn it off too.

Determine how the dishwasher will drain

Even if you are installing the appliance in your home, you need to ensure it adheres to the local building codes and ordinances. Begin with figuring out how your dishwasher will drain. The common way the appliance drains is by plugging directly into the waste disposal system. The appliance can also drain directly to the water supply pipe under the sink.

If the house is old, contact a professional plumber and ask them to come out and ensure your setup adheres to your state’s requirements.

Evaluate your current setup

You should connect dishwashers to a grounded branch circuit. This means they should be permanently grounded, or they should come with a grounding power cord. You can sometimes wire the dishwasher directly to the wall instead of plugging into an outlet. While in other cases, you can’t.

Before you install the appliance, you need to know how to connect it according to the state’s ordinances.

Working with electrical wires is no walk in the park, so if you aren’t confident in your electrical skills, let an experienced and certified electrician handle the work.

Read the instruction manual.

If everything is still okay, now it’s time to read the instruction manual. The manual will tell you everything you need to know to set up the dishwasher and get it going properly. After reading the instructions, lay the dishwasher on its side, then connect the drain hose to the drain port and secure it with a hose clamp.

You should then connect the water supply line to the water inlet and tighten the connection with an adjustable wrench and locking pliers. Once you are done, connect the power cord on the electrical terminus then tighten all the lugs.

Move the dishwasher into position.

To place the appliance into the alcove, you need to turn the dishwasher upright and slide it towards the alcove while you feed the drain hose, water line, and power cord. You should pull the hoses and cords through as you gradually slide the dishwasher fully into the alcove. If the dishwasher is large, you might need someone to help you put it into place.

Once the appliance is in place, open the door, place a level on the floor and adjust the front feet to level your appliance. Once level, screw it to the underside of your countertop.

Connect the drain hose

Here you need to fit a hose onto the inlet port and secure it with a hose clamp. If your dishwasher doesn’t have an air gap, secure the drain hose to the underside of the countertop with a hose bracket before connecting it to the disposal or tailpiece.

Hook up the water and connect the power

Once everything is in place, screw the water hose to the free port and tighten the connection with an adjustable wrench or locking pliers. You should then turn on the shutoff valve and check for leaks.

You should then connect the circuit wire to the wires inside the dishwasher’s electrical box following the manufacturer’s wiring diagram. Make the connections with wire nuts.

It’s up to you

As you can see, it’s not an easy feat to properly install a dishwasher. If you feel you can handle all the work, hire a reputable appliance repair Northern VA expert to do the work.

The post Is It Hard To Install A Dishwasher? Dishwasher Repair Experts Explain first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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While homeowners know they have to replace their refrigerator at a particular time, most of them don’t know the exact time to do it. So you will find them trying to salvage a dying horse. They will keep contacting a refrigerator repair professional, not realizing they are pouring money down the drain that they could have put to better use by simply buying a new appliance.

Do you have a hunch your refrigerator is on its deathbed? Here are signs your refrigerator is dying:

You can hear the motor.

Refrigerators are loud, but if you have never noticed its sound, but now you start hearing the motor, you have a problem. The temperature control board supplies voltage to the fan motors and compressors. If this part is malfunctioning, it could send continuous power making the fridge too cold. As a result, the motor runs continuously.

A motor that runs unnecessarily not only makes a lot of noise, it also increases your energy bills.

Your electricity bill keeps going up.

If your appliance has faulty components, you are bound to see your electricity bills go up. For example, if your fridge has a defective gasket, other components such as evaporator, fans, condenser, and thermostat have to work harder to compensate for it, which translates to high energy use.

If you haven’t installed a new appliance in your home and you have noticed your electricity bills going up, you should check whether you have a faulty part or there is food that has built up in the appliance. While it seems harmless, sticky food buildup can lead to tearing up of gaskets. To prevent the buildup, regularly clean your refrigerator with warm, soapy water.

It’s common for older appliances to consume more energy than newer models, but the consumption shouldn’t be too much that it doubles your energy bills.

Your refrigerator is sweating.

Your fridge will look like its sweating as a result of excess condensation, which is an indication of insufficient cooling capabilities. Carefully inspect the refrigerator. If the moisture is appearing on the exterior, check the door seal, and if faulty, replace it.

If the seal looks in good condition or the condensation is coming from the inside of the appliance, the appliance’s internal temperature isn’t cold enough to keep the food from spoiling, and it’s time to replace it.

The freezer is too cold.

Yes, the freezer can be too cold. The freezer is supposed to be precisely zero degrees, so if yours feels like it’s more than freezing, you have a problem. If you have an older appliance, this problem might be brought about by a cracked door seal that is allowing warm, moist air to enter.

If you do an inspection and find that’s not the reason for the low temperatures, you must be having a problem with the refrigerator defrost sensor, or your appliance might be on its way out.

Food keeps getting spoilt.

Does your food keep getting bad much faster than usual? It’s an indication your fridge might be faulty. Before you run into conclusions, check the temperature settings. A properly functioning appliance should have a temperature of between 37 and 41 degrees.

If the temperature is within a normal range, but you are still having this problem, check whether the door seals are tight and clean. Door seals keep cool air in the fridge and prevent warm air from getting in.

Cleaning the seals can keep the fridge working optimally and prevent it from getting spoilt. If you do your inspection and find out everything is in top working condition, but the food is still getting spoilt, chances are your appliance is too old, and it’s time to replace it.

The back of the fridge is too hot.

The back of the fridge should always feel warmer than the front as this is where the motor is located, but if it’s too hot to the touch, it’s a sign the fridge is overheating. The overheating can be brought about by plenty of factors such as: dirty condenser, coil problem, and ventilation system problems.

Appliance Repair Springfield experts recommend you clean the coils, and the fridge will start running more efficiently, which decreases the operating costs. If you do this and still the appliance is malfunctioning, it’s time to get a new unit.

The post 6 Signs Your Refrigerator Is Dying As Given By Refrigerator Repair Experts first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Since you use the dishwasher for cleaning, you don’t need to clean it, right? Wrong. Like other kitchen appliances, you need to clean your dishwasher to keep it in top working condition. How do you do it? Here are valuable dishwasher cleaning hacks as given by dishwasher repair experts:

Run a cycle with white vinegar

Do you live in an area with hard water, and you have noticed your dishwasher building up mineral deposits? You should run a cycle with white vinegar. Put two cups of white vinegar on the top rack then run a complete cycle without adding dishes or detergent.

The vinegar will remove the trapped particles, detergent residues, and built up minerals, so the dishwasher looks and functions as good as new.

To prevent the deposits from coming about, make it habit to run the cycle once every three or four weeks.

Remove built-up food and debris with a steam cleaner.

Got built-up food and debris in your appliance? You should try removing them using a steam cleaner. After preheating the appliance, use the steam cleaner to clean the insides of the dishwasher. Focus on cleaning the corners and hinges as well as the sprayer holes and tracks.

Use the brush attachment to remove built-up material, ensuring you don’t scratch the machine. If your appliance has hard to reach tight areas, use a steam cleaner along with an old toothbrush.

For a deeper clean, use a multipurpose spray along with the steam cleaner. Once you are done with the steam cleaner, run a short cycle to rinse out the dishwasher.

Clean the filters

Your dishwasher most likely has a trap at the bottom to catch large food particles, preventing them from washing down the drain. The dishwasher filter is the same in most appliances where it resembles a mesh screen that you can take out, shake it off and rinse.

It also resembles a grate above the drain hole. If you have a more modern appliance, you could be having a device that catches the food particles the same way. You should remove, clean, and replace it.

To clean the filter, you need to shake it out over the trashcan and rinse it under the sink. If you are still unsure where to find the dishwasher filter, check around where the water seems to drain.

Pay attention to the spray arms.

If your home taps bring in hard water, chances are there is a lot of mineral buildup around the spinning parts of the machine that spray water. To clean the spray arms, use a pipe cleaner around the holes. If the mineral buildup is substantial, soak the arms in vinegar.

Be cautious, moving the dishwasher arms as they aren’t designed to move easily. Sometimes you have to remove them entirely to give them a good clean.

Get rid of smell using baking soda.

Baking soda is not only effective at cleaning the dishwasher, but also at deodorizing it. Have you noticed a unique smell in your appliance? Consider getting rid of it with baking soda.

Before you apply the baking soda, ensure the dishwasher is already clean. You should then remove the racks and remove any gunk or food residue present. Can you remove the drain? Remove it and give it a thorough cleaning.

You should then measure one cup of baking soda then sprinkle it across the bottom of the dishwasher. Follow it up with a short cycle on the hottest setting possible. If you have done it right, your appliance will have a fresh smell and look brighter.

You don’t need to run another cycle after using baking soda. Continue using the dishwasher as you normally do.

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of cleaning using baking soda, place one lemon peel in the basket cutlery, and it will fight the bad smell.

Remove rust from the latch.

If you have had your appliance for a couple of years, chances are the latch has begun to get a little rusty. To fix it, rub it down with a stainless steel cleaner and steel wool. Appliance repair Northern VA professionals advise you to rinse the latch and buff it dry with a cotton cloth.

To complete the look, coat the latch with clear fingernail polish. This will waterproof the metal and prevent rust from coming about.

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Does It Really Matter What Kind of Water Filter I Use in My Fridge?

The water filter in your fridge is one of those parts of your home that you tend not to pay too much attention to most of the time. But when it comes time to change that old filter out for a new one, you have a very important decision on your hands: do you use one that was made by the same manufacturer as your fridge, or will any generic brand work just as well? They’re still essentially the same product, right? How different could they really be?

The answer, as it turns out, is “quite a lot.” We highly recommend that you use a manufacturer’s water filter as opposed to an off-brand alternative – this is true for a number of essential reasons, all of which are worth exploring.

The Importance of Picking the Right Water Filter

The major benefit of using a manufacturer’s water filter is because it was designed by the same people who made your fridge, meaning that you can have complete confidence knowing it’s going to work with your fridge. It was made using only high-quality parts and it won’t just fit perfectly, it will also fall within the guidelines of the fridge’s original manufacturer’s warranty, too.

The problem with using off-brand filters is that they’re usually made with inferior parts and are thus more likely to break down, potentially causing a significant amount of damage to your refrigerator at the same time. If the warranty doesn’t cover third-party parts, the manufacturer won’t help you. So, in addition to having a water filter that doesn’t work right, you’ll also be on the hook for costly repair bills, too. Plus, if an off-brand filter should fail entirely, it could cause flooding in your entire kitchen – a situation that you would obviously want to avoid if you can help it.

If you’d like to find out more information about why it’s so important to use a manufacturer’s water filter in your fridge or are having issues with your water filter, contact Sarah’s Appliance Repair today by calling 505-835-1927 or shoot us a text at 505-388-0900.

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The compressor is one of the most important parts of the refrigerator as it handles gas and pressure inside the fridge. According to refrigerator repair professionals, when the compressor isn’t working, the entire fridge doesn’t function, and you might be tempted to replace it.

Before you spend money on a new appliance, first find out whether the compressor is faulty. Don’t know how to do it? Here are tips to tell if refrigerator compressor is bad:

The compressor kicks on and off.

Does your compressor turn on and off, or doesn’t work? You must be having a problem with the relay start, or you are having a compressor overload. When it comes to the relay start, it could be faulty or dirty. Before hiring a professional, check it and if dirty, clean it.

If you do the cleaning and still the relay won’t work, you must be having a complex problem that should be left to an expert.

You can diagnose the compressor yourself or hire a professional to help you out.

If you have confidence in your skills, you should go the DIY route. Begin with unplugging the fridge from the electrical sockets then inspect the internal wiring. Can you see any problem? If you can’t, move onto the next step and open the side panel.

Most side panels are held in place by screws, and all you need to do is to loosen them. If you can’t locate the side panel, chances are you can’t fix the issues by yourself, and you are better off contacting a fridge repair professional to help you out.

When hiring the professional, ensure he/she is knowledgeable enough as you don’t want someone who will cause more problems than were originally there.

Have you found the side panel and loosened the screws? Good. Now find the starter relay switch. In most fridges, it’s found below the panel. After identifying it, you should unplug it from the compressor, and it will guide you in knowing whether the compressor is faulty.

You should shake the relay switch, and if you hear a rattling sound, the switch has been damaged. If you don’t hear a sound, the compressor is sound, so the failure of the switch to work might be due to another problem, and you should contact a fridge technician to help you identify the underlying issues with your appliance.

Take a look at the compressor fan.

You can also tell whether the refrigerator compressor is faulty by taking a look at the compressor fan. Begin with separating the fridge from the wall, but leave it plugged into the outlet. If you don’t know the location of the compressor fan, confirm from the owner’s manual.

The compressor fan is a vital part of the refrigerator’s cooling system, where it cools the fridge, preventing overheating. When the fan stops working, the fridge begins making strange noises.

If the fan isn’t moving when you put on the fridge, you have a problem that is best addressed by an expert.

The refrigerator failing to cool the food properly.

The fridge is designed to keep the food as cool as possible, so if it’s not doing it, chances are it has a faulty compressor. When the fridge isn’t cooling the food properly, you will begin noticing the food items in the freezer getting socked and not frozen.

Do you have an amplifier meter and know how to use it? Test the compressor, and by doing this, you will know whether you should repair or replace it. You can easily remove and replace the compressor as long as you are confident when doing it, but if you feel more comfortable with the professional technician handling the work, go ahead and contact one.

The compressor making noise

In most modern refrigerators, the compressor functions silently, so when yours makes noise, you have a problem that you should address as soon as possible. If you confirm that the compressor is the one making the refrigerator noise, it’s too late as a noisy compressor means a bad compressor, so you should replace it.

When replacing the compressor, appliance repair Northern VA professionals recommend you buy from a reputable brand. This way you are sure it will give you an excellent service and at the same time last for a long time.

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