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This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
With our minds fixed on the big stressors and uncertainties in the world right now, like the coronavirus and its effect on our economy, it sure would be nice if we could get a break from any other problems...like if we could be guaranteed that our faithful appliances would keep working perfectly. However, the reality is that, even when we have bigger things to worry about, we still have to prepare for smaller things too--like those dreaded appliance breakdowns. Many people get stuck with appliances that go “on the fritz” seemingly overnight, and they face the prospect of having to replace them in a hurry. But if you're paying attention, most appliances put out warning signs that they need help ahead of time. If we can catch those early warnings, we can arrange for repairs ASAP and help extend the life of our appliances. These are some of those symptoms to look out for.
1. Not Turning On
The first obvious sign of a problem with an appliance is if it simply won’t turn on in the first place. Many repair people get called out to homes to look at appliances and find the issue is that it’s not plugged in or is switched off at the power point. However, if you know none of those things is the case, and you can’t get the machine to switch on at all, it may need special attention.
Sometimes appliances won’t power on because a circuit has tripped (although usually in this case you’ll notice many machines have died) or because they have an overload feature that shuts them off automatically when their motor becomes overloaded and hot. If there’s a reset button on the machine, try this before calling in a repair person.
If you still can’t get an appliance to turn on, it could have a burnt-out motor, bad electrical connection, blown fuse, broken compressor, or there might be an issue with the machine being out of balance. This is especially common with washing machines. Also, the coils, such as those found on a fridge, may be clogged up (particularly when people have shedding pets in the home), or a gas burner may refuse to light due to a food spill plugging up the burner hole.
2. Not Doing Their Job
Many people find their machines are still working but not adequately. For instance, perhaps your dishwasher isn’t cleaning your dishes, your dryer isn’t drying your clothes, your refrigerator isn’t keeping your food cold enough, or your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home. These are prime signs that appliances are on the way out.
Also, you may notice that machines give you the right results sometimes, but not all the time. Appliances aren’t meant to change their behavior out of the blue, so if you fail to get consistent outcomes from the white goods in your home, investigate further.
There are many possible reasons, so call in a dedicated repair person, such as those found via Canduhome.com, for an inspection and fix as required. Some quick fixes exist, such as cleaning or replacing a filter, changing out a hose, unclogging a drain, replacing a coil, or changing hot water settings so water heats quickly.
Other times appliances require major work, which a tradesperson can quote on for you. For instance, when ice forms inside a freezer, this is often a sign that the cooling system is malfunctioning.
3. Leaks
It could happen in one massive pour, or it could happen with a slow and steady drip; either way, if you have any leaks coming from your appliances, get this seen to ASAP. Many of these leaks are highly visible, particularly when they occur as burst pipes and water floods an area. However, sometimes you’ll notice a moisture-ridden wall, ceiling, floor, or another area, with the problem stemming from a nearby leaky appliance.
Furthermore, if you notice significant moisture around vents on machines, even after you’ve cleaned filters, this is a sign you need a repair person on hand to examine matters. Similarly, steam escaping from dishwashers or other machines where you don’t expect to see steam, indicates a seal is damaged, a door has warped, or some other issue needs repair.
Other common signs to look out for regarding your appliances are:
- Machines suddenly or increasingly becoming very noisy
- Odd sounds, like squealing, banging, grinding, etc. that are unlike typical sounds for your appliance
- Strange smells, especially burning or strong, funky odors that could be caused by mold, food build-up, or internal leaks
- Increasing power bills for no other reason
If you notice any or multiple of the signs mentioned above, it’s wise to contact a professional straight away. The sooner you can have your machine inspected, serviced, or repaired, the less likely it is that the appliance will fail altogether and require replacement.
It's good to know that moisture around vents on machines could lead to bigger problems. My washing machine has some leaks around it and it has me worried. I might have to call a repairman that can determine what the problem is with my washing machine.
I'm glad you mentioned that odd or loud noises can be a sign of a problem. My refrigerator randomly started making a loud humming noise this morning. It sounds like I should call a repairman to assess this situation.