DIY Appliance Repair Tips

Wait! Before you call an appliance repair in Skokie for help, you might be able to keep your household appliances in good condition with the help of the tips below.

1. Smelly Washing Machine

A unpleasant odor in a washing machine can defeat the point of the appliance! If you’re in the process of trying to wash your clothes so they’re fresh and clean, but your washing machine will not cooperate, run an empty cycle in warm water and pour in two cups of white vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda to remove the odor. This issue commonly occurs in front-loading machines. To prevent future smells, leave the door open in between cycles so it can dry out.

2. Inefficient Refrigerant

A lukewarm refrigerator is not a good sign. A warm refrigerator definitely won’t keep liquids cold or refreshing, and the food on the inside might also be on the verge of going rotten! In several cases, your refrigerator won’t be in need of professional repair; the inside might just need a cleaning. Or the coils on the back panel of the appliance are overdue for cleaning.

Unplug the refrigerator and move it out from the wall prior to vacuuming the refrigerator coils. If you can’t notice instant cooling improvement, it’s a good idea to contact a professional appliance repair company in Skokie for a diagnosis.

3. Clicking Igniter on Stove

If the igniter on a gas-powered oven clicks nonstop and the burner does not light, look to be sure the burner top is tightened and properly aligned. You might notice this issue if you’ve recently had a boil over or spill on the stove top.

Otherwise, the source is probably a dirty igniter. To clean the igniter on a gas-powered stove, first remove the burner lid and wipe away any particles. You can use a pin to scrape debris from the grooves of the igniter. If that does not eliminate the issue, it is safest not to disassemble a lighter unless you have right training; enlist a professional appliance repair service to investigate the issue.

4. Broken Garbage Disposal

A sink’s garbage disposal has self-protection with its own overload trip switch. If it becomes filled up, overheats, runs for too much time, or has a different issue, the disposal might simply have to be reset rather than repaired. First, make sure the switch is OFF. Next, find the reset switch on the disposal under the kitchen sink and press the button. If the button does not stay in, wait ten minutes and press it again. Turn on the water and then turn the button on.

If the disposal is filled with debris and you only hear a humming noise and not waste grinding, you may need to twist the blades using a hex key to clear the clog. Then, push in the reset button to get the disposal working again. If these tips do not get the appliance working like normal, please don’t give in to the temptation to shove your hands down in the disposal to solve the problem. Be safe and schedule service with a professional appliance service in Skokie.

5. No Power from Outlet

In a bathroom or kitchen, the electrical outlets must be installed with GFCI capabilities in order to protect people from harm in wet environments. If a GFCI electrical outlet isn’t generating power, push in the red “reset” button to see if it restores juice.

If it does not, or if you are trying on a standard outlet, make certain that a breaker has not been tripped in the circuit breaker box. If you’re not sure if a breaker was tripped, switch it so it is in the OFF position and then flip it back into the ON position. Please remember, safety near electricity is critical. If you have any concerns, call a professional technician.

6. Wobbling Washing Machine

A shaking washer will often create quite a loud banging and is not a ideal method to get wash clothes. If yours starts knocking around, the machine might be broken down. To repair this problem, turn the legs of the machine to lower or lift each corner until it is straightened out. One other likely situation is that the unit is not leveled. Open the lid and move around the clothes so they are dispersed within the drum of the appliance.

Trying this could help your washer not need to work as hard. If you do try to arrange the clothes a few times without success, do not ignore the problem. You may have a loosened drum or motor mount on your hands, which can be easy for a professional to repair. But continuing to use the washing machine when it has this issue might damage other components and result in a more costly repair over time.

Call for Help

If none of these quick fixes fix your problems, you can schedule service from Same-Day Skokie Appliance Repair!

OTHER RESOURCES:

Appliance Repair Cost
Appliance Safety
Emergency Appliance Repair
Repair or Replace Appliances
Refrigerator Parts