Avoid these common maintenance mistakes to help your appliances last longer.
An appliance can be a major investment, so naturally you want to make sure you get your money’s worth. Your appliance will be more likely to last as long as the manufacturer promised if you are careful to get proper maintenance for it. Routine maintenance will also help maintain your appliance’s ability to operate at its maximum efficiency and save you money on your utility bills. So don’t make the mistake of skimping on your appliance maintenance in an effort to save money! Not getting maintenance could cost big bucks in the long run if this causes your appliance to fail prematurely and/or require a major repair. Here are 4 common errors that you need to be especially careful to avoid.
Not Replacing Washing Machine Hoses
Burst washing machine hoses are a leading cause of residential water damage. Hoses that are made from rubber will naturally become brittle as they age, and shockwaves created inside the hose by the machine turning the water on and off multiple times each wash cycle can further weaken the hoses. You need to inspect your hoses regularly and replace them as soon as they appear at all compromised. Even if the hoses look fine, replace them after 4 or 5 years. You may also want to upgrade from rubber hoses to braided steel hoses for extra peace of mind.
Not Cleaning Up Lint
Most people know that they need to clean the lint trap in their clothes dryer between every load of laundry to help reduce the risk of the unit overheating and causing a fire. But did you know you also need to clean the dryer vent? Dirty vents can also be a fire hazard, and The National Fire Protection Association recommends cleaning them out once per year. In addition to preventing the possibility of costly fire damage, keeping lint blockages to a minimum will also help your unit dry clothes faster and more efficiently.
Not Replacing Water Filters
Any appliance that uses water will have some sort of filter. In a dishwasher, this filter helps keep your drain from becoming clogged with food debris, while in a washing machine it prevents mineral buildup from gumming up the inner works of the machine. In an icemaker, the filter may be even more sensitive to help purify your drinking water. All of these filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Failing to do so may result in clogs and/or leaks as well as a decline in water quality.
Never Cleaning Refrigerator Coils
When was the last time you moved your fridge to clean under and behind it? If you can’t remember, your refrigerator coils are probably pretty dirty. If you have pets they may even be covered in a thick blanket of fur. This can have a very detrimental effect on your refrigerator’s performance and may even result in the unit overheating and requiring a major repair or even replacement. To reduce this risk, be sure to clean your refrigerator coils regularly. All you have to do is move the unit a little, remove the grill at the back or the bottom, and pull out all that dust and hair.
At American Appliance Repair, we are happy to assist with all kinds of preventative appliance repairs and maintenance tasks that you may not wish to handle on your own.
