Having Dishwasher Problems? Don't Ignore These Tips!

Please click here for a terrific article on various dishwasher-related problems and how to resolve them.

One great reason why you shouldn't buy appliances at superstores

Thinking about buying an appliance at one of those big box stores? 

Think again!

Shopping at big-box stores can be limiting. Not only do certain stores only carry specific brands, but will often only have a few different models available for sale in their store. 

For example: Are you looking for a set of kitchen appliances? It’s likely your average big box store is only going to have one or two options for each brand. 

The beauty of buying locally (especially from Express Appliance) is that we have countless options when it comes to stainless steel packages, giving you the opportunity to select every feature on the fridge, dishwasher, range, and microwave that you desire.

How to tell if your washer is about to die

Please click here for an excellent article which tells you more about these indications of a dying washer:

• It makes loud and excessive noises
• It uses too much or too little water
• It isn’t cleaning your clothes very well
• Your utility bills have suddenly skyrocketed
• You constantly overload the machine
• You use too much detergent
• There’s an odor that just won’t go away
• Your washing machine is ancient

When Your Appliances Are Most Likely to Break Down

Knowing when appliances are more likely to break down can help prevent you from being caught unawares.

According to the first U.S. Appliance Repair Affordability, Reliability and Seasonality Report released by Puls, appliance repairs are needed more in summer months. That’s one reason you should avoid overusing heat-generating appliances during the summer, advises energy analyst Matthias Alleckna. “Whether the dishwasher, washing machine, or the fridge, these machines can generate more heat inside your home in summer, so it’s better not to make them work too hard on hot days.” And whichever appliance you’re using, avoid overloading them, he shares. “The more volume and weight inside these appliances, the harder they will have to work,” he explains.

Refrigerator

Fix requests for fridges generally spike in July, with a normal fix cost of $242. However, the report alerts that bills can skyrocket to up to twice that amount.

Freezer

Freezers cost an average of $348 (and more if they need a repair). This is more than any other appliance surveyed in the Puls report. Like its brother, the refrigerator, they may huff and puff just a little bit more when its warm outside than in colder months. You can extend the life of your freezer by cleaning it often.

Dishwasher

Dishwashers likewise work harder in warmer months. A good sign that a breakdown is coming: It stops draining after a wash cycle. The normal expense to fix a dishwasher is $204, which may really be reasonable considering its many uses.

Oven

Ovens tend to overheat in the summer, but they also can be stressed out in the wintertime, especially if you find yourself tempted to use it as an additional heat source when it’s frigid outside. (Note: This is hazardous and potentially deadly if you have a gas oven. Don’t do it.) Oven repairs cost $226 on average.

Microwave

The average microwave repair bill is $195, so it’s a good idea to know what’s safe to microwave to keep it in tip-top shape since that cost is higher than the retail price of many brand-new microwaves.

Washing machine

Washing machines can be vulnerable to cold or hot temperatures in an uninsulated garage or basement, so keep a close eye on them in the summer and in the winter as extreme temperatures have the potential to wreak havoc. The average repair bill for a washing machine runs $221.

Dryer

It’s worth considering the idea to cut back on drying certain items of clothing to relieve stress on a dryer in the winter when it might not get hot enough, or the summer, when it can overheat. (You can line dry or invest in a drying rack.) The average cost to repair a dryer is $209. You’ll also want to avoid these other ways you’re shortening the lifespan of your washer/dryer.

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

This simple advice is tried, tested, and true: your problem might go away if you turn it off and on again.

If something doesn't seem right with your appliance, turn it off or unplug it for a while and let it rest. Plug it back in and see if that fixed the problem.

Who knows, it may just fix everything!

DIY Troubleshooting

There are many things on appliances that you might be able to fix yourself. The trick is to know what you need to fix. Luckily, that could be an easy fix.

Find out the make and model of your appliance. Once you have that, look up the owner's manual for it. There is almost certainly a section on troubleshooting in the manual.

Follow the steps to determine the error code, and look up the problem online. If its a bit more complicated than you'd like to handle, just give us a call and we can work with you on fixing your appliance!

Ignition Lighting?

Gas powered appliances depend on some sort of ignition process in order to work.

Often times these igniters can get covered with soot and buildup.

If your appliance isn't working, you might just need to clean the igniter. Regardless, once a months its a good idea to check on the igniter to see if it needs cleaning.

Fix the Move

Out of all the things on appliances, the things that are most likely to break are the things that move.

On most appliances, this means you should look at your fans and motors if something has gone wrong.

Some of these are a quick fix and you can do yourself. Others are rather labor intensive and difficult, and you should give us a call if you run into those problems!

50% Rule

Appliance repair can get very costly, often going into the hundreds of dollars. Is it worth keeping an appliance that is so costly to repair?

A good rule of thumb is the 50% rule.

The 50% rule is simple: If your appliance is 50% through its life or repairs will cost 50% of what its worth, its a better idea to get a new appliance.

We are open to buying your broken appliances to use as parts and sell you a new one!

The Dollar Test

Refrigerators work hard, and often they work harder than they have to. The seals on fridges often wears out, leaving the cold air the ability to escape.

A good test to see if you need to replace this seal is the dollar test.

The test is simple: take a dollar and close your fridge on it half way in the fridge. If it stays, the seal is fine. If it slips, you need to replace the seal.

a good seal lowers energy bills and keeps your food chilled and ready to eat!

DRYER OVERLOAD!

As a young adult, I went over to my grandmother's house to do my laundry. I didn't want to be an imposition to her, so I tried to stuff the machines to the brim. One day, my grandma walked by the dryer as it was running and heard it "moaning and groaning". He opened it up and found that it was much, much too full to run effectively.

A dryer needs enough space for air to circulate over all the clothes. If you overload it, it ruins the motor, leaves your clothes with a musty or burnt smell, and wastes energy.

Don't clean under you oven's knobs

While we all know a clean oven is a happy oven, you shouldn't clean under the knobs. The knobs to your oven are a part of an electrical system that tells the oven how much to heat it's coils.

When you put water on an electrical system, it could short circuit it, electrocute you, or both.

If a short occurs, then it'll be a service call for us to come out and fix it for you.

If its an electrocution, a hospital trip or funeral would be in your future.

The best plan of action: don't clean under your knobs!

Tips for loading your dishwasher the right way (Part 2)

The dishwasher is a valuable modern appliance. It allows us to clean our dishes quickly without much thought. However, its important to know how to use it the right way to ensure your dishes are as clean as they can be. Here are some tips to help your dishwasher wash dishes!

6. Place silverware face down
This makes it so the sharp parts aren't touched, which are also the parts you eat with.

7. Use only when full
Don't use your dishwasher if its only half full. Doing so waste time, money, and water. Run a load when its all the way full.

8. Unload from the bottom first
If you unload the dishes on the top rack first, it may leave water drops on top of dry dishes and leave spots on them.

9. Clean, clean, clean!
Periodically run an empty load with white vinegar. This is a dissinfectant that kills fungi and bacteria that could grow from builtup left over food particles.

Tips for loading your dishwasher the right way (Part 1)

The dishwasher is a valuable modern appliance. It allows us to clean our dishes quickly without much thought. However, its important to know how to use it the right way to ensure your dishes are as clean as they can be. Here are some tips to help your dishwasher wash dishes!

1. Load bowls and cups upside down
You don't want the dish water collecting in them

2. Leave some space between dishes
Aater and heat need to make even contact with the entire dish in order to properly clean them. This can't happen if they're touching other dishes.

3. Fragile and small stuff up top
The top rack isn't as intensive with it's cleaning cycle. THis will keep fragile and small dishes safer from breaking.

4. Angle dishes
Angling your cups as much as you can will make it so water won't puddle on the top of your dishes.

5. Don't load cups on top of the tines
Tines are the things that hold the dishes in place. These are made to have dishes between them instead of on top of them. Putting dishes on top of them could break both the dishes or the tines over time.

Sure-fire way to ruin your washer

Having laundry the size of Everest in a pretty common thing. The laundry just never seems to end!

You may want to try to pack your washer to get rid of all of it quick. You must resist this temptation! Overloading a washer may cause flooding and may ruin your motor.

Slow and steady wins the race, and keeps your washer alive!

When was the last time you replaced your water filter?

Your tap water can have more than just water in it. It may have herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, benzene, and a bad taste to it.

Luckily, there's a very simple method to getting all of this out: Change your water filter. Your water filter needs to be changed every 3-6 months to ensure that it's filtering properly.

When was the last time you changed yours? Is it time?

Condenser Coils

Condenser coils are the coils in the back of the fridge or freezer that cool and condense the refrigerants, which keep your food cool.

When these coils gather dust on them, these coils have to work even harder to remove heat, which means they need to work even harder.

You should clean these coils at least twice a year. Why not clean them this weekend?

Washing Machine Hoses

You should inspect your water hoses to your washing machine at least once a year. Make sure that they're securely connected  and are free of cracks, or bulges.

If there is any damage present, contact us immediately and we'll help you get it fixed before it floods your house!

Freezer Gaskets

With the heat going full force, freezers are working overtime.

If your freezer's gaskets (the rubber seals) have gunk in them, are cracked, or otherwise not working, it could mean that your freezer is sucking energy or slowly thawing your food.

If you need help replacing them, give us a call today!

Funky Lemonade?

If you wanting to enjoy a fresh lemonade this 4th of July, make sure to empty your ice bin now.

Ice that has remained in the ice bin for long periods of time can gain an odd odor and taste from the other food items in the fridge.

When you take out all the ice, it wouldn't be a bad idea to disinfect the ice bin as well.

Enjoy your 4th of July and your fresh and tasty lemonade!