4 Common Appliance Fixes and How to Do Them Yourself

Whether the washing machine is leaking or the oven doesn’t heat, appliance failures happen to everyone at one time or another. However, there are some quick fixes to the more common appliances that you need to know before you call for the handyman. So, keep reading to learn about the most common appliance fixes and how to do them yourself.

DIY Fixes for Common Appliance Issues

Refrigerators and Freezers

It is a major inconvenience when your refrigerator or freezer doesn’t cool properly and you find yourself throwing out good food. One precaution you can take is to clean your coils regularly. Doing this will allow your appliance coils to work properly. So, when you think the temps in your appliances are dropping, clean the coils before calling for professional repair.

Another good tip is to be sure to make space for circulation when you place your food into the appliance. This will help keep vents from getting blocked and therefore unable to circulate.

Additionally, some refrigerators have condenser fans that will not spin properly if food or debris gets stuck in them. If you find happening to you, first turn the refrigerator off, then, carefully clean the fan blades. However, if your blades need to be replaced, call the people at Fixitt Appliance Repairs and they will be happy to help you.

Air Conditioners

Hot summer days can be difficult to cope with if you don’t have a working air conditioner. Unfortunately, as is the case with most electrical house appliances, AC units commonly break down for a number of reasons.

While it does sound simple, first check your AC manual first to see if you programmed the settings correctly. This is a common issue when people change the settings and forget to switch them back.

If you reset it properly but the conditioner still doesn’t work, that means your AC unit could be dirty and therefore malfunctioning. To remedy this, unplug the conditioner and clean the outer unit.

Whether your AC is working properly or not, remember to check the air filter at least once per month during peak season. If it’s dirty you can clean it or change it for a new one, when needed. I believe you will find that changing AC filters is a quick and easy task.

Electrical and Gas Ovens

Electrical ovens that stop heating are also a common household issue. The problem is usually caused by heating elements that get worn out and burned. Another common reason is a bad connection between elements.

For this fix, buy a voltage tester and see if your circuits are running the way they should (getting to a minimum of 200 volts). If everything is fine, check your terminals and heating elements to see if they are burned. If they are, it’s time to replace them. Since this type of fix can be dangerous. Therefore, if you don’t have sufficient experience to work with these electrical units, we strongly advise that you call a professional.

On the other hand, most issues with gas ovens are due to the failure of mechanisms that light the burners. Pilot lights, spark ignitions and glow coil igniters are the three different mechanisms in gas ovens. If they break, you’ll have to replace them.

A glow coil igniter is the most common mechanism which you easily replace by removing burner covers and the racks inside the oven. First, make sure the oven is unplugged. Then, unscrew the part which holds the old igniter in place to remove it. Then, install a new igniter onto the terminals and screw it back in.

Washing Machines

If you’re experiencing drainage problems with your washing machine, there’s probably something stuck in the hose. So, you need to remove the hose and clean it out. If that’s not where the issue is, you may need to replace the pump. If that’s the case, it’s time to call for professional repair.

Other common issues might require the replacement of the lid switch or the water valve. Note that the valve doesn’t always need to be replaced, so try to clean the inlet screens first and see if that fixes your problem. Lid switch breaks cause the machine to fill with water which stays inside and doesn’t drain. That fix is a little more complicated, so you should probably call a specialist.

We hope these tips save you time and money. As you can see, there are things to you can do to make minor home appliance repairs by yourself. However, there’s also a time to realize that you need help from a professional. We’ve also included some links below for more information.

All Images Courtesy of Canva.

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