Springtime Maintenance Tips for Your Washer & Dryer

As we mentioned in our last Blog Post, "Springtime Maintenance Tips for Your Refrigerator/ Freezer," we are bringing our loyal customers & friends some additional tips for maintaining your appliances that are important to take care of in the spring. Here are some helpful tips we recommend you review for your Washer and Dryer.

ARE DRYER VENTS CLEAR?

Take a look at your dryer's vent / vent hose and make sure it's clear. Make sure there is no lint clogging the vent or the hose. Also check to ensure that the venting hose is not smashed up against a wall, causing blockage of air flow through it. If air is not able to properly flow through the vent and hosing, this can cause the non-resetable thermal fuse or safety thermostat to go out. If that happens, then it will cause the heat sensor to not work correctly. This results in the dryer running longer than it needs to, or it will not shut off at all. If these symptoms are already happening, please call us to schedule a service/ repair for the dryer.

DOES YOUR WASHER HAVE AN UNPLEASANT, "MOLDY" ODOR?

If there is a moldy or mildew odor emitting from your top-loading washer, we have a solution! The fairly new cleaning/ sanitizing products available for newer front-loading washing machines also work just as well in the older front-loading models. These sanitizing tablets are available at many retailers, but please give us a call if you would like us to provide you a sanitizing service, and we will be happy to come out and take care of it for you.

From all of our family at A-Appliance Repair Service, we would like to wish you and your family a very Happy & Healthy Easter & Happy Spring!

Springtime Maintenance Tips for Your Refrigerator/ Freezer

We're enjoying a lovely early Spring, here in Portland, Oregon! With earlier than usual warmer temperatures, we thought it would be a good idea to let all of our loyal customers and friends in on some springtime appliance tips. Here are a few things about your Refrigerator/ Freezer that would be helpful to begin taking a look at now, before it gets too much warmer outside.

ARE YOU GETTING ENOUGH ICE CUBES?

It's a good time to check on your ice maker, if your refrigerator model has one. If the ice maker is slowing down, or not making any ice cubes at all, put a thermometer in the freezer for about 1/2 hour to check that the temperature is at zero. If it isn't, this can cause the ice maker to not function properly. In addition, if the temperature in the freezer isn't at zero, then likewise the temperature in your refrigerator is probably going to be a few degrees warmer than it should be. This causes the refrigerator compressor to run a lot more or all the time, because the thermostat control is not quite sensing the correct temperature.  If you're not sure, give us a call & we'll be happy to come out and take a look for you.


GOT HOLLOW ICE CUBES?

If your ice maker is instead giving you hollow ice cubes, this is a different problem altogether. Hollow ice cubes can be an indication of restricted water flow in the ice maker. Restricted water flow is the result of a problem with the Electronic Inlet Water Valve. If it looks like this is happening in your ice maker, definitely give us a call to schedule service/ repair.  

More Springtime tips for your appliances coming soon!

Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Appliances

The winter months find many of us focused more on cleaning up the inside of our homes- especially if the Northwest weather is doing it's thing! (; Many of our customers frequently ask us for recommendations on how to best clean their Stainless Steel appliances. Here are some valuable tips that we hope will be helpful.

First of all, determine whether the appliance is Stainless Steel or is actually brushed Chrome. Ask your appliance dealer or check the maintenance manual that came with the appliance. There are differences in cleaning recommendations between the two- brushed Chrome is a lot more sensitive to being scratched or damaged during cleaning.

For both Stainless Steel & brushed Chrome appliance surfaces:

- Always, always "wipe with the grain!"

- Do Not use chlorine Bleach or ANY cleaning product that contains Bleach.

- Check the instructions on the cleaner bottle label to make sure it is safe to use on either  Stainless Steel or brushed Chrome.

 - For daily cleaning and light messes, a clean, soft cloth or sponge should be used with either:

• Mild detergent and water

• A 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water

• A glass and surface cleaner or a multi-surface cleaner (Ammonia-based cleaners are OK, or any of the more eco-friendly "green" plant-based solutions, too.) 

To polish and help prevent fingerprints, finish up with a Stainless Steel spray cleaner.

- For moderate to heavy soil:

•  a clean, soft cloth or damp sponge should be used with a non-abrasive cleaner, liquid- or powder-based, or you can try a baking soda cleaning paste. Next rinse well and dry.

 - Specific instructions for cleaning moderate to heavy soils, stains or discoloration on Stainless Steel appliances ONLY (these methods will SCRATCH brushed Chrome) -

 - Use a clean, damp sponge or soft cloth, and choose a mild abrasive Stainless Steel cleaner, similar to *Soft Scrub (without bleach). Rinse immediately and dry. Finish up with a Stainless Steel Spray, like *Stainless Steel Magic Spray.

*A-Appliance Repair Service makes absolutely no claims for the specific brands of cleaners mentioned in this post.

Tips for Maintaining Your Refrigerator in Warmer Weather- Part II

Earlier this week, we did a Blog Post outlining a few simple refrigerator maintenance tips to help keep your 'fridge running smoothly all year long. Here are a few more timely tips that our Our chief technician recommends:


 1) It's best to keep the refrigerator and freezer stocked regularly. It takes more energy and works the condenser coils harder to cool an empty fridge. If the refrigerator / freezer are nearly empty, you can fill jugs or freezer bags with water and keep them in the freezer to keep it filled up.

2) Frost buildup is also a well-known culprit to reduce energy efficiency. If you don't own a frost-free unit, it's always best to defrost refrigerators and freezers as often as recommended by the manufacturer to keep frost build-up from bogging down operating efficiency. While you're at it, it's a good idea to check temperature settings inside the fridge & freezer. Your refrigerator ideally should be running at 35 to 40 degrees F, and the freezer at 0 to 5 degrees F.

3) Keep your food inside the refrigerator covered.  Wrap foods up and cover liquids before storing them. If they're left uncovered, food and beverages release moisture into the unit and make the compressor work harder.

4) Don't overload the 'fridge. Stocking too many room-temperature items such as cans of soda or bottles of juice inside the unit causes it to work harder at cooling. Just stock sufficient amounts to cover your needs for a day or so.

5) Avoid storing perishable foods in the refrigerator door. The temperature of the storage bins in the door itself fluctuate more than the temperature inside the 'fridge. For example, eggs should always be stored in the carton on a shelf. 

For more helpful tips on how to help maintain all your appliances, visit our website at http://www.aappliancerepairportland.com.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your 'fridge or freezer, please give our Chief Tech a call, and he will be happy to help you!

Tips for Maintaining Your Refrigerator in Warmer Weather- Part I

Oh, boy - as we've seen recently, it's that time of year when temperatures begin to spike up to the '80s and even '90s once in awhile, before the summer season even really sets in.  This can be especially hard on your refrigerator- it's been used to running in cooler temperatures for awhile, and not having to work so hard to maintain the cold inside the unit. When outside temperatures spike suddenly, and it gets warmer in your home at the same time, the refrigerator begins to run more often and work harder to keep your food cold.

Generally, this does not pose a problem for most refrigerators. Yet, as we mentioned in an earlier blog post, if your refrigerator has a part that is worn down already, a sudden heatwave can cause problems more quickly, just like a sudden drop in outside temperatures in the winter can, too.  The refrigerator's motors & parts, in a sense, have to"work harder," to continue to function normally in these temperature extremes, especially for older parts that may already be in need of repair.

We think it's best to follow a few simple refrigerator maintenance tips all year long, to help your 'fridge  continue to run smoothly. Our chief technician recommends the following:

1) Always follow what our chief tech likes to call the "four finger rule" when allowing enough space between the back of the refrigerator and the wall it backs up to. Check on a regular basis to make sure that your 'fridge has not gotten shoved back up to close to the wall- always allow "four fingers," or about 4-5 inches of space between the wall and the back of the refrigerator.  This is crucial, because as many folks don't realize, usually the condensor fan motor is located in the back of the unit.  This fan is pulling warmer air from across the condensor coils in the front of the unit and blowing / exhausting this air out of the back of the unit.  If the refrigerator is too close to the wall, then there's not enough airflow in the back for the condensor fan motor to work properly, to enable it to properly exhaust that warmer air. Unfortunately this allows the compressor area to become too warm to function well.

2) If the refrigerator door seals are less than perfect, then you are losing cold and energy. Test refrigerator door seals on a regular basis, to make sure they are airtight. Simply shut the door over a piece of paper that's half inside the unit and half outside. If the paper pulls out easily, the seal may need to be replaced.



As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your 'fridge or freezer, please give our Chief Tech a call, and he will be happy to help you!

Troubleshooting Appliance Break-downs During the Holidays

Ever wonder why it always seems like your oven, stove-top, dishwasher or refrigerator have to break down during the holidays, when you tend to be entertaining family & friends and need them the most? Well, don't despair- it seems like many of our customers go through this every year.  There are several reasons why this may be so.

First of all, when the weather gets colder, it makes it more difficult for any appliance motor and working parts to continue working at their normal pace.  Motors and electronic moving parts have to "work harder" to a certain extent in colder air temperatures.  So if an appliance part or motor is already in need of repair soon, it may stop working properly sooner.

This is particularly true of refrigerators, more so if your refrigerator or freezer is located in your garage! For example, if the defrost drain happens to be a bit clogged or even frozen, it will most certainly become more so and happen more quickly as temperatures drop in your garage.  This is really inconvenient- we all need our refrigerators to be working properly at this time of year when we are all buying extra food for holiday gatherings. 

In addition, everyone tends to use their oven, stove-top, dishwasher and refrigerator/ freezer a lot more during the holidays. This increase in the amount of use can also put wear and tear on appliance parts that are older or may already be close to needing repair.  This is why it's always a good idea to schedule a service call a few weeks before the holidays if you sense that your appliance may not be working up to par.

Don't despair though - we're here to help! Our experienced Chief Technician has the training and expertise to properly repair your refrigerator, stove-top or oven, and is quite  experienced with newer electronic components for these appliances.  Don't be inconvenienced during the holidays- just give us a call!  After we schedule your repair service, our highly-trained service technician will come directly to your home, quickly diagnose the problem, and quickly and efficiently complete the repair. Your appliance will be like new in no time - and at a fraction of the cost! 

Troubleshooting That Leaky Dishwasher

It's not fun when you come home and see water on the floor around your dishwasher.  This can indicate that the unit is leaking and may cause serious damage to your kitchen floor- especially if it's hardwood! However, the cause of the problem may not be as serious as you think.  Here are a few trouble-shooting tips for some of the more common causes of dishwashers leaking.

1) You See:  Water appears to be leaking from around the dishwasher door.

Troubleshoot: Open the dishwasher door, and take a look at the door latch to see if it securely closes. If the door latch is bent or damaged, it most likely does not seal properly, which allows water to run out. Time to call your appliance repairman to schedule a repair! New latch systems can be installed to repair this type of  leak.

If the door latch appears intact, next you can examine the door seal to check if it is pulling away from the unit, or if it has become cracked. If so, the door seal will need to be replaced.  This repair is fairly common, but properly installing a new seal can be tricky- again, call to schedule the repair.  

If the door seal looks fine, then another possible cause of this type of leaking is that the dishwasher may be over-filling with water. You can take a look at the water float (usually a plastic tube located in the base of the unit) for any damage or apparent clogs.  If it is damaged, it will need to be replaced and repaired.

2) You See:  Water on the floor appears to be emerging from underneath the dishwasher.

Troubleshoot:  If you see what looks to be water leaking out from underneath the dishwasher, the cause of the problem could possibly be the dishwasher hose. Hose connections can become loose over years of operation, since they are also subject to wear and tear and can become damaged or cracked.  If the hose clamps appear to be loosened or the hose is damaged, it needs to be replaced and repaired.

An inlet water valve can also cause excess water to spill out. This valve regulates how much water comes into the dishwasher. It's best to schedule a service call with a certified appliance repair technician to determine if the valve is not working correctly and needs to be repaired. Sometimes the inlet water valve becomes stuck "open," allowing too much water in to the unit and results in leaking or flooding.  This type of repair can be easily taken care of by your certified appliance repair technician.

3) You See:  What looks like a few drops of water on the floor after the washing cycle has ended.

Troubleshoot:  It's very common for water vapor to form on the dishwasher door, condense into droplets and then drip down onto the floor. Wait awhile to open the door until the drying cycle is finished (if you use it) or long enough for the condensation on the door to evaporate. Also, it's simple to just wipe the condensation off with a dish towel, if you need to open the door sooner.