Quick Tips to Save on Appliance Repair at Home

Guest Post by Rachel Holloway:

Routine maintenance can help homeowners save money on appliance repair. While many appliance warranty companies can provide protection for consumers, the best thing that people can do is make sure their appliances are properly maintained. With this, homeowners will only have to use the home appliance warranty that comes with their equipment, in extreme cases.

Washing Machines

Washing machine hoses can burst when they are not maintained properly. This can cause a lot of damage to the washing machine and other appliances in the area. Without a home appliance warranty, these repairs could be quite costly. Luckily, homeowners usually have advanced warning before their water-fill hoses burst. They often form a large bubble at the 90-degree bends coming from the wall. These hoses also form bubbles where they connect to the washing machine. Homeowners should always use steel braided hoses. These are less likely to rupture, and this can save people a lot on appliance repair charges. When changing their hoses, people should make sure there are no kinks in the line. They should turn off the hot and cold water before removing old hoses. They should also make sure that new hoses are not loose, and they should check for leaks.

Dryers

Appliance warranty companies, usually advise homeowners to make sure there are no kinks in the dryer exhaust vent. Exhaust ducting should be made of metal. Vinyl ducting can be crushed, and it does not withstand heat well. Everyone should check their dryer’s outside hood vent regularly. While wire mesh and grates can keep birds and rodents out of the exhaust system, they also get clogged when lint goes through the dryer’s lint screen. Quality vent hoods have flappers that open when the dryer is in use and close when it is off. Using these vent hoods can help homeowners save money by avoiding frequent appliance repair.

Homeowners should also check their lint screens regularly. When too much lint builds up, dryers can easily catch on fire. A home appliance warranty may not cover damage from fires when homeowners fail to keep their lint screens clean. People should be particularly careful when they frequently dry clothes that have a high cotton percentage. These materials cause lint to build up more quickly.

Pockets should also be checked before people put clothes in the dryer. Things like loose change, jewelry, gum, nails, needles and pencils can damage dryers. Homeowners should not put small items on top of their dryers. They can easily fall in and cause problems.

People should call for appliance repair as soon as they notice any issues. They should stop using appliances immediately when they suspect that something is going wrong. Calling for repair service early can help minimize repair charges because technicians can fix problems before they get worse. Ignoring the problem can cause fires, floods and gas leaks inside the home. Homeowners should never open their appliances and try to repair internal damage by themselves. Not only is this extremely dangerous, it can also void a home appliance warranty. When washers, dryers, refrigerators, freezers or other home appliances have problems, homeowners should always rely on trained technicians to perform the repair.

This guest post was written by Rachel Holloway. Her goal is to inform homeowners about appliance repairs and home warranties. 

image via Bee and Jay Plumbing

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