There are lots of helpful videos out on the internet that can help with specific issues for specific models of appliances. Generally speaking, you should be able to get 10 years of use or so out of a good dishwasher before it’s time to replace it. That said, here are some of the most common easy-to-fix issues.

My Dishwasher Stinks!

It’s probably the filter. The filter sits at the base of the inside of the dishwasher, and traps large food particles that might otherwise get into the mechanisms and gum up the works. It’s designed to be easily clipped in and out, and who among us (ahem) actually read the manual and kept to the suggestion of washing the filter out on a weekly basis?

If this little item of maintenance has somehow slipped your mind, scrubbing it up and replacing it will probably remove the odor. If it’s been damaged, it’s probably replaceable.

Not Cleaning So Well

Might be time to unclog the spray arms! These are the longish, flattish plastic arms that spray and rinse the dishes and other items you put in the dishwasher as they spin about. They are designed to be unclipped, cleaned, and reinstalled. Don’t forget to clean the mounting while you’re at it.

Occasionally cleaning the spray arms can significantly improve the performance of your dishwasher.

Wobbly Rolling Basket at the Bottom

Replace the wheels. They are designed to snap on and off, and it’s certainly worth avoiding the hair-pulling frustration of trying to coax the thing in and out if it’s bothering you.

Detergent Dispenser Broken

Another item that’s generally easily replaced, if your unit isn’t too old, is the detergent dispenser. This is going to be a more involved fix, because the front panel of your dishwasher is going to have to be unmounted, electrical connections undone, and everything replaced. This is one of those situations where you may want to view an online video, especially if it treats your specific model, and to have all the tools you need immediately on hand. Naturally, if you have qualms, it may be best to call the experts at Dave’s.

Replace the Hoses

The fill hose brings water into your dishwasher, and the drain hose removes the wastewater. In time, these can corrode, degrade, or get clogged, reducing the performance of your dishwasher. It’s usually possible to get replacements and not hard to install them yourself.

Dang Thing Leaks

Likely this is due either to faulty door hinges or door seals. Or it may have to do with the hoses, which we mentioned above.

If the door seems to drop heavily or seems misaligned, it could well be a hinge. You’ll need to remove the side panels to get a good look, and it’s a good idea to watch a video on replacing the mechanism. Also, it’s probably a good idea to replace both at the same time.

If you’re not that handy, it may be time to call in the skilled repairs folks at Dave’s Appliance.

Check the upper door seal, which goes from one side, around the top, and down the other side of the door. Usually a new seal costs $30 or so, and it’s not a hard job to replace it. The lower seals is another matter, since it involves disassembling the entire door, and is best left to the professionals.

Again, that would be one you’d want to call Dave’s Appliance about.

The Dishwasher Isn’t Draining Well

It’s probably the drain pump, located at the bottom of the appliance, that pushes wastewater out of the dishwasher and into the adjacent sink drain. Bits of food, chips of dishes, slivers of glass, and other material can get caught in the pump and prevent it from working efficiently. It’s not a hard job to disassemble and clean the pump, but it does involve tilting the dishwasher on its back and removing the baseplate.

The biggest challenge here may be in reversing the process of disassembly while reassembling the dishwasher. Documenting the process with cell phone pictures might help. Or, if it seems not in your wheelhouse, the experts at Dave’s will be happy to help.

More Advanced Problems

Water’s Not Heating Up

Could be the heating element has burned out. You’re going to need a multimeter for this one.

Lay the unit on its back. Remove the baseplate and anything else that might be blocking the element. Remove the wires to isolate it. Check it with your multimeter by touching to the terminals.

If a fault is indicated, replacing the heating element ought to do the trick.

Dang Thing’s Not Filling Up

Pretty much the same as above for the heating element, but this time you’re checking the water valve, located behind the back plate, near to the fill hose. Remove the wires, check with a multimeter, and replace if faulty.

Bleeping Thing Won’t Start

Disqualify the obvious first. Check to make sure it’s properly plugged in and that the circuit breaker isn’t tripped.

If you know your way around a multimeter, you may be able to track down the problem on your own and fix it. There are some useful videos available online that bring you through the troubleshooting process in a reasonable sequence. Otherwise, it’s time to call Dave’s Appliance.

And remember, a dishwasher that’s served you for 10 years has lasted pretty well. It may just be time to get a new one. The experts at Dave’s will advise you well.

The post How To Deal With the Most Common Dishwasher Problems appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

You have heard that making ice takes time, so you take your sweet time. You check your ice maker after a few minutes, and there is nothing. You come back after a few hours and still, nothing.

What could be wrong? You wonder.

A properly functioning ice maker should produce ice, so if yours isn’t, you have a problem you should address as soon as possible. To help you out, here are tips given by refrigerator ice maker repair experts on how to fix ice maker not making ice:

Check the water connections.

The failure of the appliance to make ice is most likely due to poor water connections. Since the connections vary depending on the refrigerator models, it’s hard to pinpoint where the connections are located, so check the instructions in your appliance’s user manual.

If you don’t have the hard copy manual, you can always download it online. Before you touch the connections, first confirm they are correctly in place and unobstructed.

Since you are inexperienced, avoid tinkering with connections in hard to reach areas as you can easily damage your appliance.

Check the power connections.

Sometimes you might get your pants in a bunch for nothing. You might think your appliance is faulty, but in a real sense, it’s simply switched off. Check the power connection to the ice maker. Is it switched off? If it is, switch it on.

Check the water supply line.

If you can see the arm swing into motion accompanied by a buzz, and yet the appliance isn’t making ice, it means the water valve is asking for water that isn’t arriving.

This often happens when the valve and the solenoid function properly, but the water supply isn’t.

Check your appliance’s water supply that will most likely be located behind or beneath the refrigerator. Find the shut-off valve behind the fridge or under the sink, turn it off, unscrew the copper line from the back of the fridge, put the copper line in a bucket, turn on the valve and see whether water pours out.

Confirm whether the filter has clogged up

Like a furnace and other appliances in your home, the ice maker will fail to make ice if the filters are clogged up. A dirty filter reduces the amount of water getting into the ice machine, reducing the ice maker’s chances of making ice.

If you find out the filter is clogged, clean it following the owner’s manual instructions.

Check the tap valve

The tap valve is a small device that connects the ice maker’s water supply tube to the water pipe. In some cases, the valve develops problems, so water fails to get to the ice maker.

If you do the inspection and find the valve malfunctioning, replace it together with the inlet valve. When undertaking the replacement, go for a valve that requires you to drill a ¼ inch hole instead of the self-piercing type.

You can purchase the connection kit and work yourself or hire a repair professional to do the work for you.

Take a look at the solenoid.

The solenoid attaches to the water line at the back and bottom of the fridge then travels to the ice maker. Sometimes the solenoid gets defective or fails to receive power resulting in plenty of problems.

Inspect the solenoid, unplug the refrigerator, and then remove the sediment screen inside and flush it with water. While at it, take a look at the seals and confirm they are in perfect working condition.  If not in good shape, replace them.

Look out for a frozen line.

It’s common to have a frozen water line, especially if you live in icy areas. To fix the frozen line, unplug the fridge, then locate the shut-off valve, often located under the sink or behind the fridge.

You should then turn the valve to the closed or off position then fill the turkey baster with warm water. You can also defrost the line with a hairdryer or by letting the fridge sit unplugged for at least two hours.

If you do this and still the ice maker doesn’t make ice, ask an experienced commercial appliance repair Northern VA professional to inspect the appliance. It might be having a more serious problem.

The post How To Fix An Ice Maker Not Making Ice first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Although the dishwasher isn’t dead silent when running, it’s not supposed to be too noisy that you are bothered when cleaning your dishes. Is your dishwasher making noise? It means you have a problem that you should address as soon as possible. Here are some of the common dishwasher noises as given by dishwasher repair professionals and how to get rid of them:

Grinding noises

A light grinding noise is no problem, and you have nothing to worry about if your dishwasher is making it. However, if the noise starts immediately, you may have to hire a contractor and ask them to check inside the dishwasher as the drain impeller’s plastic blades might be having a problem.

The dishwasher uses the blades to break up large food particles, and sometimes things stick on the plastic blades leading to a grinding noise. If the contractor inspects the blades and there is nothing there, the noise could be coming from the water inlet valve.

Check the valve for clogs and if clogged, clean it. Also, check whether it’s damaged and if that’s the case, replace it.

Banging

Are there non-rhythmic banging sounds inside your dishwasher? In most cases, they are as a result of spray arms hitting the dishes. The arms will cause the bang sound, and since the arms rotate in a circle, the bang sound will have a certain rhythm to it.

To fix the rhythmic sounds, you have to adjust the dishes, but if the sounds aren’t rhythmic, you might be having a water hammer problem.

When a water hammer happens, the dishwasher valves close, forcing the water behind it to rattle the pipe. You need to hire a plumber to help you find the cause of the water pressure issue and install the adjuster to ensure you don’t burst a pipe.

Did you recently install the dishwasher? The banging sounds might be due to the drain line thumping against the cabinets or wall during operation. Ask the dishwasher technician to look into the issue and readjust it accordingly.

Rattling

In most cases, a rattling sound is due to improper placement of the dishes. A small cup might be jostled by water, you might be having a loose fork, or the plates are touching each other. If you do the inspection and the sound isn’t due to improperly placed dishes, take a look at the motor.

If the motor is faulty or on its way out, it’s normal for it to make rattling sounds. You can test whether the problem is due to a faulty motor by running an empty cycle where there is nothing left but the motor itself.

While at it, take a look at the filters and drains for solid objects that might be causing the rattling.

If everything checks out and you still have the rattling sounds, chances are you have a water hammer in your pipes. Ask an experienced professional to look into the issue and fix it.

Clicking

Clicking sounds are normal when you switch on the appliance, but if the sounds are too loud, you might be having a problem that you need to address.

Clicking sounds are often brought about by small items such as seeds bouncing around. The noises will also come about if you recently made repairs, such as replacing an O-ring. If the repair professional didn’t properly replace the O-ring, you are bound to have clicking noise as the ring moves.

Humming

Humming is the normal sound of a dishwasher in operation, but if you hear louder noises than normal or high-pitched, you will need to look further into them. Take a look at the motor or the fan.

If the humming is happening during a drying cycle, the noise is most likely coming about due to a faulty fan, but if the humming is happening during any other cycle, the motor is most likely the culprit since the fan is only used for drying cycles.

Squealing

Squealing sounds are common with new appliances as the dishwasher is yet to get used to the job. If your dishwasher is new, appliance repair Northern VA experts advise you to relax as the noises dissipate with time. However, if you have had your appliance for a long time, check the motor, water inlet, or pump for damage.

The post Is Your Dishwasher Making Noise? Dishwasher Repair Experts Explain Why first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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The reason you installed a glass cooktop is that you enjoy the design aesthetics of the cooktop. While the cooktop is elegant and a great appliance to have, it often easily develops scratches that give it a cheap, dingy look. You don’t want this, do you?

To restore your cooktops to their original glory, you have to remove the scratches. The beauty of it is you don’t have to hire cooktops repair professionals to remove the scratches as you can easily do it on your own at home.

Want to learn how to do it?

Here are ways on how to remove scratches from a glass cooktop stove:

Baking soda

The good thing with baking soda is that it’s easy to find, and when properly mixed, it’s not dry or abrasive. To eliminate scratches using baking soda, make a loose wet paste by combining baking soda with water in a small container.

You should then apply the paste directly to the affected area using your fingers, then using a soft cloth, buff the scratches in a circular motion. Once you are done, wipe away the paste using a clean, damp cloth.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste sounds like an odd choice, but it contains several valuable ingredients, such as baking soda and peroxide. These ingredients buff out small abrasions without damaging your cooktops.

Begin with getting whitening toothpaste and two soft cloths. Squeeze a small amount of toothpaste onto a soft cloth, then apply it to the damaged area. Rub it in circular motions for at least one minute, then use a wet cloth to wipe out as much toothpaste as possible.

To clean up any leftover liquid, wipe the stovetop with a dry cloth. Repeat this process until you get your desired results.

Metal polish

You can use some metal cleaners to get rid of glass scratches. The cool thing is the metal polish removes scratches and scuffs and at the same time polishes the stove.

To get rid of scratches using this method, you need a soft cloth, glass safe metal polish such as Brasso, and a wool pad. Begin with pouring the cleaner on your cloth pad, then gently buff the scratched or scuffed areas by moving the pad in a circular motion on the affected area.

Once you are done, use another damp clean piece of cloth to remove the cleaner. For best results, dry the area with a separate soft cloth.

Nail polish

You need to combine clear nail polish with glass polish to get rid of scuff marks and scratches, leaving you with a clear, shiny stovetop. To get rid of the scratches using this method, use glass polish, clear nail polish, and a light buffing pad.

Use a brush to cover the scratches or the damaged areas, then wipe away any excess polish before it dries, so it doesn’t stick to the stove. Allow the remaining polish to dry for 30 minutes, then using a non-abrasive pad, gently buff each area with nail polish for at least 30 minutes.

Once you are done, place a small amount of glass polish on the buffing pad and touch up the areas you just worked on. When done right, this will hide even the worst of the scratches.

Glass repair kit

You might have the impression that the glass repair kit will be harmful to the finish on your cooktop, but this isn’t the case. Get a glass repair kit and multiple wool pads or soft cloths.

Then follow the instructions given on the repair kit to remove the annoying and embarrassing scratches.

Valuable tips when removing scratches

As much as you want spotless cooktops, you shouldn’t scrub the cooktops with abrasive materials as you will scratch the surfaces, causing more damage and dulling the surfaces further.

To prevent scratches, appliance repair Springfield professionals recommend always checking the bottom of pots and pans before using them. Remember, any burned-on food particles are more than likely to cause damage to the cooktop.

Also, never move the pan back and forth on the glass stovetop, as this will cause scratching. Some people argue that cold pans don’t harm the stovetop, but this is a lie. Any pan has the potential to scratch your surfaces, whether hot or cold.

The post Cooktops Repair: How To Remove Scratches From A Glass Cooktop Stove first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Fridges don’t come cheap, and when you buy one, the last thing you want is to damage it. As a homeowner looking to have your fridge for as long as possible, you must be wondering, what can damage a refrigerator? According to refrigerator repair experts, the fridge can be destroyed by plenty of things that include:

Overstocking the fridge

This often happens when you come back from the grocery store. Since you don’t want any fresh groceries to spoil, you put everything in the fridge, which is wrong. When you put more items than the fridge can handle, you make it difficult for the refrigerator to regulate the interior temperature and keep the insides of the appliance cool.

This provokes the appliance to work harder than it should, putting a lot of strain onto the compressor and condenser coils, which puts the fridge at the risk of overheating.

How can you prevent this from happening?

As you are putting your groceries in the fridge, leave enough room for air to circulate freely, so you aren’t overburdening the appliance. A good rule of thumb is to keep your fridge 75% full.

Another great idea is to remove the old food before you go grocery shopping. This way, you always have enough room to stock the new fresher items.

Failing to clean the fridge regularly.

People rarely clean their fridges either due to their busy lifestyles or ignorance. When you let food spills and other debris accumulate, the refrigerator seal, compressors, and other parts degrade and crack.

This results in the fridge working too hard to cool the interior, which not only leads to an increase in your electricity bill, but the fridge also has a short lifespan.

Thankfully, it’s easy to fix this problem. Clean the fridge at least once every two weeks and when doing it, clean both the inside and outside of the appliance.

You store the food improperly.

It’s one thing to overstock the fridge and an entire ballgame to improperly store the food. For example, you will be storing the food improperly if you move the hot leftover food directly from the dinner table to the fridge.

In addition to the food spoiling, it can also spoil the fridge. This is because you expose the fridge to too hot food, forcing it to work harder than it should.

You can avoid damaging your refrigerator this way by giving your leftover food time to safely cool on the counter then carefully place it on your fridge.

Failing to replace the water filter frequently enough.

If your fridge has an ice and filtered water dispenser on the refrigerator door, you should regularly clean the filter to keep your drinking water and ice-free of contaminants and prevent sediment from building up in the pipes.

When you have debris in your pipes, your fridge works harder than it should; hence you have a high energy bill at the end of the month. Also, the fridge has a short lifespan due to its overworking.

Replace the water filter at least once every six months to keep your fridge in top working condition. You should note that even if you have an ice maker and no water dispenser, you still need to change the water filter to have peace of mind, the ice is free of pollutants.

Failing to inspect the fridge regularly

Like any other appliance, you need to inspect the fridge routinely. You can inspect it by yourself or hire a technician to help you.

Most people will inspect the other parts and forget a vital area—the door seal. When you don’t inspect the door seal frequently enough, it deteriorates, gets brittle, and cracks. This causes it to break down, and it doesn’t properly seal in the cool air.

As you might guess, this leads to a massive loss of energy as the fridge has to work harder to maintain a cool interior.

Whether you are doing the inspection by yourself or you have hired an appliance repair Fairfax professional to do the work, pay attention to the door seal, and look out for any signs of wear and tear or cracking. If your door is no longer resisting as much as it should when opening it, and the suction feels week, it’s time to replace the seal.

The post What Can Damage A Refrigerator? Refrigerator Repair Experts Answer first appeared on HVAC Repair, appliance repair.

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Having a refrigerator is simply a blessing because you get the opportunity to store food regularly. Moreover, it becomes your ultimate savior in summer since you will need a constant supply of cold water or other drinks.

But what will happen if your refrigerator is not functioning properly? This question is common, and it had happened to many people around the world. The good news is that you can get it fixed with the help of a repair servicing company near your area.

From the following article, you will get all the information regarding this. Additionally, with the help of this knowledge, you can be a step ahead of the future problem.

Refrigerator repair service near me

The first thing that you can do is type ‘Refrigerator repair service near me‘ in Google, and then, you will find lots of service providers near your location.

According to your understanding, you should go through all of their dedicated websites and note down their pros and cons. Based on the information, you won’t have a problem with eliminating some of the unnecessary ones.

After you finish filtering, consult with your chosen ones and talk with them regarding various issues. Ask them whether they are capable of providing efficient and fast repairs or not. Since your appliance will be providing you service, in the long run, it is mandatory that you should keep this thing into consideration.

If your settings are either commercial or residential, don’t worry because most of the companies can work for both purposes. But still, make sure you clear out with them in the first place.

It is mandatory that you look for certified-technicians and highly skilled ones, or else your refrigerator will be in jeopardy. After all, you will prefer a professional to get your job done, right?

Finally, check their customer reviews and find out all the positive and negative sides. That way, you will get an idea about the results you can derive from them.

Samsung refrigerator repair near me

If you live in Huntsville, AL, and you have a Samsung refrigerator, you can get your solution by typing ‘Samsung refrigerator repair Huntsville AL‘ in the search engine.

Various companies will pop up, and you can go through all of them to check their repairing services. It won’t be a problem for them if your appliance is making noise or not keeping your food cold because their technician knows how to rectify this problem at all costs.

Whether you have a top freezer refrigerator, side-by-side refrigerator, or other types, it can get as good as new for sure if you select the right repairing company. Some common parts that could create problems are thermostats, replacement bulbs, defrost heaters, door switches, and seals, etc.

Due to this, different problems can arise. Some of them are:

• The appliance might fail to maintain a low temperature
• There could be a potential buildup of frost
• The refrigerator is not turning on
• Water is leaking continuously

The issues may come in different forms, so it will be best that you take action immediately.

No matter what kind of malfunction you encounter, the experts will always be ready to serve you. After you are satisfied with their work, you will notice that the energy bills are decreasing a lot and the appliance’s performance has improved.

Ge refrigerator repair near me

Yes, if you are a Ge appliance user, then there are tons of companies that can solve your refrigerator problem. The way you can find them is through the internet. Simply go to your search engine and type ‘Ge refrigerator repair Huntsville AL.’ Within a second, you will get to see different companies to choose from.

To be on the safe side, check all of them, and find out which one fits your re-quirement. Some common problems that could arise from this brand are:

• The dishwasher is not functioning properly
• Crisper bins fill up with water
• Ice-maker is damaged
• There is a huge amount of frost present inside the freezer
• You can see the igniter is glowing, but there is not flame
• Stinky smell
• The water pressure at the dispenser is not high
• The refrigerator stays very warm all the time

If you experience this type of problem, don’t think twice and call the repairing service company. You need to solve this problem immediately, or else your appliance will get more damaged.

Fortunately, the professionals are confident enough to solve the problem on your behalf. When they complete the task, they will ensure that it is operating in its usual manner so that you don’t experience any problem in the future.

LG refrigerator repair service near me

As you know, the brand LG is very popular worldwide, but there is a possibility that its appliance will show problems at some point. People residing in Huntsville, AL, will find this section helpful.

Just visit your desired search engine and type ‘LG refrigerator repair Huntsville AL,’ and you are all set for the research purpose. You could get overwhelmed when you get to see lots of companies, but don’t worry; you can pick the winner with a proper filtering process.

Take some time out of your schedule and research their customer reviews. Also, analyze their services. With the information you find, you won’t have difficulty in getting your ideal one.

The professionals will arrive at your doorstep to troubleshoot the refrigerator prob-ems. For your ease, here are some of the common ones that you could face in your situation.

• You are experiencing constant irritating noise from the refrigerator
• It has a torn door seal
• Your floor and the internal portion of the appliance is getting wet due to the leakage issue
• It keeps the temperature high when the temperature needed is low

Other than these issues, some of the upgraded ones come with built-in microcomputers installed inside the appliance. This factor can become a headache without the help of an expert.

Conclusion

In total, your investment for the repairing service won’t go to waste as you are putting all the technology-related work on the hand of professionals. Don’t leave the refrigerator unchecked when you have faced these common problems. Leaving it for a considerable amount of time could harm it to the extent that you have to buy a new one.

So, finding the right company is not a tough job if you have all the information in advance. Go through these articles a couple of times so that you can get a good understating of all the areas.

If your friends or family members have gone through these same issues, consult with them and don’t forget to take advice.

Have a good day.

 

 

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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.

The post How To Test Microwave Ovens appeared first on Dave's Appliance Service.

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.

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