Sometimes things don’t work as perfectly as we’d like in our homes, but that doesn’t mean that a repairman is always the answer.
You can save a lot of money by learning how to do a bit of simple DIY yourself, but it’s understandable that a lot of people are put off if they’ve never picked up a screwdriver before.
This blog can help you to feel more confident when things go wrong, so if your fridge is leaking or your washing machine is louder than usual, don’t panic – there’s probably a simple fix that you can find yourself.
Oven Door Faults
Your door is probably the easiest part of your oven to fix, so while it might be causing you a lot of stress, it only takes minutes to resolve. If your door sometimes falls off or feels loose, a common culprit is the hinge.
Once you understand what kind of hinge you need to buy to replace it, take a trip to your local DIY shop – most will have lots of oven replacement parts like all of these.
If the problem doesn’t seem to be the hinge but your oven door still won’t close securely, the rubber seal might have degraded or come loose over the years. You can either glue your existing seal back in place or look for a newer replacement.
Dryer Isn’t Drying Clothes
If your dryer is leaving your clothes damp after hours and hours of spinning, then something isn’t quite right. There are a few different things that could be wrong, but most of the time your dryer’s lint filter just needs a quick clean.
People often forget that a machine filled with clean clothes can get clogged with lint and fibers. Wait until the filter is completely dry and empty it into the bin.
If your problem persists, you might need to deep clean your dryer, as your lint problem could extend further back than you realize.
Noisy Washing Machine
A noisy washing machine typically isn’t a cause for concern, but it can be annoying. If you’ve started to dread putting on a load because of your machine’s unusual sounds, then it’s time to investigate.
A clunking sound could be because something has become stuck in your washing machine’s drum, like loose coins or keys. Give your washing machine a good clean and check for anything that could be caught under the rubber seal.
If the sound is more of a tapping, then you want to take a look at your pump filter. This can sometimes become clogged, so if you haven’t cleaned it for a few years, now is a good time.
Leaky Fridge
The puddle of water underneath your fridge doesn’t always mean your food has spoiled. If your fridge is still cold, the water leak could be something as simple as a clogged drain inside it.
This is usually because bits of food have built up over time, so get out your rubber gloves and prepare yourself for a deep clean.
A Smelly Dishwasher
Your dishwasher goes through a lot, which means food debris, gunge and other unpleasant things can quickly build up within your machine, causing unpleasant smells and less than efficient results.
Cleaning and repairing your smelly dishwasher will make your home environment much more pleasant and clean your dishes effectively.
Start by checking out the appliance manual and with guidance, remove and clean the dishwasher sprayer arm ports and don’t forget to give the edges of the dishwasher door some TLC – this is a prime area for food build up.
Next, add a dishwasher cleaner to your machine and run a hot cycle. This will improve its performance and get rid of those bad odors!
A Broken Garbage Disposal
The idea of cleaning out your garbage disposal can seem daunting, however once the appliance is fully deactivated, you’ll be able to take the mechanism apart and give it a good clean.
You don’t even have to use harsh chemicals, a simple concoction of lemon, baking soda, vinegar and water will flush out that decaying food and unpleasant smells.
Consider replacing the splash guards and giving it a good deep clean to keep it working to a high standard.
Appliance Repair Safety Tips
When working on electrical appliances, exercise caution. Consider the following safety precautions to keep you and your appliances safe!
Before making any changes or conducting maintenance, ensure the machines are switched off and unplugged from the mains.
If your machine has broken parts, it’s worth exploring your warranty to see if these parts can be replaced, rather than struggling to fix them yourself, and potentially invalidating your warranties.
If you’re unsure, don’t put yourself at risk – call in a professional or speak to the customer service team of your appliance manufacturer for advice.