4. Home appliances like washing machines and microwaves are incredibly helpful for day-to-day life. However, homeowners may experience frustration, inconvenience, and horrifying visions of soaking their clothes in an outdoor tub when they stop working.
Some machine malfunctions require professional assistance, and sometimes they even need to be replaced. However, in most cases, you can solve many appliance problems on your own. Here are five common home repairs you can do yourself.
1. Gas Range Won’t Light
You won’t have this problem if your kitchen has an electric range. However, homeowners with a gas stove are commonly faced with this issue. They can smell the gas coming out, but there’s no fire.
A quick solution is to use a match to light the gas by hand. However, be careful as excess amounts can cause a large flame. The long-term solution is surprisingly simple – in most cases, taking the stove apart and thoroughly cleaning it will fix the issue.
2. Dishwasher Isn’t Cleaning Properly
Dishwashers are supposed to save you time by cleaning your dishes so you don’t have to. If they stop working, you may find yourself doing double dish duty – putting them through the machine and then rewashing them because they’re still greasy.
Check to make sure none of the parts in your dishwasher are broken. Important components to examine include the circulation pump and the wash arm, which sits underneath the dishes. If you notice any leaking, contact a professional right away.
3. Thermostat Isn’t Functioning
Thermostats give you access to easy temperature control in your home. This keeps you comfortable and protects your house and possessions from overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter. Your thermostat can also give you clues about how well your AC unit is functioning.
If you notice your home’s temperature doesn’t seem to match the numbers on your thermostat, it may be broken. Change the batteries and clean the thermostat to see if that makes a difference. You can also move it to see if it reads more accurately in another space. If resetting doesn’t seem to work, it’s time to call a professional.
4. Washing Machine Smells Bad
As every homeowner can attest, the washing machine may be the single greatest invention ever designed by man. However, you may find one day that it smells anything but clean. This odor likely comes from mold that grows around the seal on front-loading machines.
You can usually eradicate the mold if you run a hot water cycle, clothes-free, with a cleaning tablet inside your machine. Lower the chances of mold development by keeping the door open when it’s not in use. You can also wipe the seal to reduce excess water.
5. Power Outlet Doesn’t Work
Modern homes have outlets all over the place and are designed to charge many electric devices at once. However, the amount of electricity you can use at once is limited. Your breaker will shut off the outlet if that's exceeded to prevent overload and a potential fire.
If your power outlet isn’t working, you may have tripped the breaker, and the outlet has turned itself off. This is most common in the bathroom, although it can happen in your kitchen as well. Try unplugging all devices and hitting the red “reset” button. If it still doesn’t work, you can also try resetting the switch on your home’s main electrical panel.
Home Appliance Maintenance
Use these five tips to help keep your home running to its full potential. If all attempts to fix an appliance fail, you can always replace the device or call a professional. Keep your machines clean and, if applicable, replace batteries regularly.
Appliances do eventually wear out. However, you can keep them running well for much longer with regular maintenance and care.
