Do I Need a Repairman? Tips for DIY Appliance Repairs
Nothing gives you that heart-sinking feeling quite like one of your appliances failing. Whether it’s a refrigerator, dryer, or washing machine, the prospect of having your appliances repaired can leave your wallet aching. Luckily, many appliance woes have quick DIY fixes so you can save some money and brag about how awesome you are. That’s what I call a win-win.
Refrigerator Isn’t Cooling
Refrigerators not cooling is a pretty common issue. In some cases, you may need to get a repairman, but there are plenty of small issues that can be fixed without the help of a professional.
Clean the Coils
Behind your refrigerator is a series of coils that help keep your fridge and freezer cool. These coils can gather dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris. If enough yucky stuff cakes onto the coils, it can hinder your refrigerator’s ability to keep things cool. To fix this issue, unplug your fridge, pull it away from the wall, and vacuum the coils using hose attachment. Hopefully, once your coils are clean, your fridge will get back to being your favorite appliance to open and stare into 100 times a day.
Troubleshoot Common Replacement Parts
The thermistor, condenser fan motor, evaporator fan motor, and water inlet valve are four common refrigerator parts that may need to be replaced. Adventurous DIYers should be able to replace these parts by searching the parts online and watching tutorials on how to safely replace them. Be sure to search for your specific model, for example, Samsung refrigerator parts for a Samsung fridge. If you get in over your head, there’s no shame in calling a professional.
Dryer Isn’t Heating
Is there anything more annoying than opening the dryer to find that your clothes are still wet after their cycle is over? If this horrible fate has befallen you, try these quick fixes so you can get to the second most horrible thing about laundry, folding.
Check the Fuse
Most dryer models are equipped with a thermal fuse that is designed to blow if your dryer gets overheated. So that, you know, your whole house doesn’t burn down if you put one too many towels in. To replace a blown fuse, open your dryer’s cabinet, find the fuse, and replace it. The type of fuse you will need will depend on your dryer’s make and model, but that should be easy to find thanks to our old friend Google.
Clean Out Your Exhaust
That fluff that greets you each time you do laundry accumulates in your dryer’s exhaust. To clean it out, detach your exhaust from the back of your dryer and begin vacuuming out the exhaust hose with a vacuum hose extension. Reach the vacuum as far down the hose as possible from one end. Then, vacuum the exhaust from the opposite end to remove as much debris as possible.
Noisy Washing Machine
Ah, don’t you love the sweet sound of your washing machine trying to take flight from your laundry room? Unstable washers can move violently, especially during the spin cycle. Here are a few DIY fixes if you’re dealing with an unruly washer that can help you avoid major repair costs.
Check the Washer’s Feet
On the four corners under your washer, there should be small feet. By twisting these feet, they can be made longer or shorter. If your washer tilts when you apply pressure to one of the corners, you may need to shorten or lengthen one or more of the feet. This may be a two-person job, since lifting a washer is no easy feat, but it should be a quick fix.
Balance the Wash Load
If you’re like me and you stuff as much as possible into your washer to get laundry over with, you’ve probably dealt with this problem. Sometimes the load can become uneven, especially with top-loading washers. When this happens, adjust the load inside and restart it. If the noise continues, you may have to (begrudgingly) remove some of the clothes and add them to another load.
DIY Like a Boss
Whether you’re twisting washing machine feet or installing Samsung refrigerator parts, DIY home repairs are more satisfying, and less expensive, than calling a repairman. So, arm yourself with these useful DIY tricks and save a few bucks by taking care of business all on your own.