Owner’s Manuals can point you to do it yourself repairs that you may never think about. There are many things you can do to avoid expensive repairs, as well as prolong the life of your appliances. Here are a few helpful hints in maintaining your appliance.
Refrigerators
Check the Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are frequently located on the bottom of the fridge in the front. Many user manuals will have instructions on how to clean them. Most are accessible without any tools. A good vacuum with a hose attachment, and a brush (from Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Sears) can save you a visit from us. Not only that, but cleaning your condenser coils twice a year will make your refrigerator more efficient and last longer.
Check the Food in the Freezer for Frost
The biggest indication that a door has been left open is frost on the food in the freezer section. It this is the case, wipe off the frost and make sure the door is closed. The fridge should return to normal in a few days. If there is frost on the BACK WALL, that means there is a problem with the defrost system. Unless you are familiar with these circuits, you will need a visit for a diagnosis and repair.
Make Sure all Vents are Unobstructed
All Refrigeration systems rely on air circulation. Most generate cold air in the freezer section, and transfer that cold to the fridge section. If anything is blocking that air pathway, the freezer will be cold, but the fridge will be warm.
If you have checked These things and the temperatures in your refrigerator or freezer are still too warm or low, please call. We will be more than happy to help.
207-619-3888
If your Combination Refrigerator Freezer is outside and seems broken!!
A common question we hear pertains to operating a refrigerator in the garage or other unheated space during cold weather. Bottom line, refrigerators and freezers don’t cool efficiently when operated at temperatures below, roughly, 45 degrees (F). The first reason is that the outside temperature may get low enough that the thermostat inside the refrigerator never gets warm enough to activate the compressor and so the freezer warms up to the outside temperature. Another problem is that if it gets too cold, the refrigerant pressure becomes too low to generate the necessary cold and so the freezer only chills down to the outside
Washers
Do not overload your washing machine
Even though your washing machine may be rated “Heavy Duty Washer” or “High Capacity Washer” that does not mean you should fill it to the brim every time. Imagine this as the equivalent of revving your car to the Red Line. It will shorten the life of your washer. Just because the tub has a certain capacity does not mean that the motor that drives it can handle whatever you can fit in there.
Run a load on HOT with vinegar in order to avoid grease and oil build up
Dryers
Check your Vent
Make sure the air-flow on the outside is forceful
Check for kinks and sharp bends in the vent hose
Call if your dryer is noisy!
Noisy dryers usually lead to a broken belt, and a more expensive repair
Clean your lint screen before every load
High Efficiency Washers
Do not use too much HE (High Efficiency) SOAP!
Newer washers are considered HE because they are designed to use less water. If you use the same amount of soap that you did with your old washing machine – It Doesn’t Wash Away. There is not enough water to dissolve it. This soap build-up can ruin your machine. Plus, old damp soap can cause a washing machine to stink!
The most common complaint we receive on Front Loading washing machines is that they are making a loud banging noise during the spin cycle. Front loaders that were purchased in the last 7-10 years have this problem. Unfortunately, it is the warning that the tripod that supports the clothes basket has broken. This repair is so costly in parts and labor, that it is not worth spending the money. If you are experiencing this symptom, please call to confirm. If the diagnosis is correct, we will advise that you put your money towards a new washer, instead of a service charge from us.
Washers
Do not overload your washing machine
Even though your washing machine may be rated “Heavy Duty Washer” or “High Capacity Washer” that does not mean you should fill it to the brim every time. Imagine this as the equivalent of revving your car to the Red Line. It will shorten the life of your washer. Just because the tub has a certain capacity does not mean that the motor that drives it can handle whatever you can fit in there.
Run a load on HOT with vinegar in order to avoid grease and oil build up
Dryers
Check your Vent
Make sure the air-flow on the outside is forceful
Check for kinks and sharp bends in the vent hose
Call if your dryer is noisy!
Noisy dryers usually lead to a broken belt, and a more expensive repair
Clean your lint screen before every load
