Appliances are designed to make life simpler and easier by cooking and preserving our food, cleaning our clothes and dishes, and handling otherwise time-consuming tasks. When an appliance goes on the blink, the effect is stressful. Food goes bad, and laundry starts to accumulate. Given our busy lifestyles, it can be difficult to find time to schedule an appointment to service the appliance. Let’s review DIY appliance repair vs professional repair services.
DIY Appliance Repair vs Professional Repair Service
As appliance repair specialists, some of the most common questions we get asked is, “Do I really need a repair technician?” and “What’s the difference between DIY appliance repair vs professional repair?” In reality, sometimes you don’t need to call a technician at all. You may be able to troubleshoot the operation of your appliance and improve its lifespan. Here are some tips that can help you determine whether they should call a Tampa appliance repair specialist or not.
Check the Power
If your appliance does not start, check the power. If your refrigerator is not cooling and its lightbulb will not turn on, there is a high possibility of a power issue with the appliance. Ensure that the plug is in a working receptacle and that the receptacle actually has power. This applies to all appliances, not just refrigerators.
Check for Leaks
Leaks can be closed by loose connections. Ensure all your fill and drain hoses are properly attached to their connectors. If your dishwasher, washer, or icemaker are leaking around the doors, check to see if anything is blocking the seals. Make sure the doors close properly and that there are no other obstructions. Weak seals and damaged gaskets can cause leakage, so check your seals and gaskets regularly.
Read the Manual
The manual you received with your appliance is not meant to be thrown into a drawer to gather dust. It is important to read the manual thoroughly as it will outline proper installation, maintenance, and warranty guidelines. Newer appliances may not function the way older appliances used to because of technological advances, energy efficiency updates, and other advances. Remember that most warranties will not cover a technician to check your appliance for cosmetic problems or issues caused by improper use or installation. It definitely will not cover you if they have to educate you on using your appliance!
General Appliance Troubleshooting
Several appliances rely on free-flowing air or water to function properly. If your clothes dryer takes a long time to dry your clothes, check your dryer vents. Ensure that the exhaust duct behind your dryer does not have any kinks or leaks, that the outdoor vent has no blockages, and that the exhaust air can circulate freely. Dishwashers can often become in-operational due to clogged drains. Make sure that you regularly clean the drains of any debris. Check to see if any obstacles are blocking the spray arms’ path. Clean your soap compartments once or twice a month and make sure that you load your dishwasher properly.
When it comes to refrigerators, one of the most important things you can do is to vacuum the dust on your refrigerator’s condenser systems. Also, ensure that the cooling vents inside your refrigerator are not blocked by food or other items.
Many appliances have computerized controls that may need to be reset occasionally. It can help to unplug the unit from its power supply for several minutes to reset the computerized systems and then to plug it back in. If the problem persists, you may need to call for service.
Check for Warranty
One of the first places to start is to call on the manufacturer. The manufacturer can review the serial number of your appliance to see if it is still under warranty. Your service call and repair could be free if it is under warranty. If it is not under warranty, you can ask the manufacturer’s representative for a referral to a qualified technician in your area. The major appliance manufacturers all have directories of certified technicians in almost every part of the country. You can rest assured that the referral you get from the local manufacturer will be a technician you can trust.
Call a Professional Appliance Repair Technician
Unsure if you need DIY appliance repair vs professional repair service? If the above steps fail to solve your problem, you may need to call a repair technician. Take the time to explain your problem or your issue to your tech. They may be able to walk you through a simple and quick fix. Make sure you have the model number and a serial number of your appliance available so your repair service will be able to can look up the appropriate repair manuals.
If you need professional repair, give the Appliance Repair Specialists a call. Our team of expert technicians will diagnose and repair your appliance professionally and quickly, with dependable 5-star service!
