Some household appliances are bound to cause trouble at some point which is why it is advised that you are always prepared in case they break down. While most homeowners often consider hiring professionals to do the repairs for them, it may be a better and a more cost-effective option if you do the fixing yourself.
If you have never repaired household appliances before, don’t worry. To help you along, we have decided to create the ultimate DIY repair guide you should follow to aid your tasks and extend the life of your household appliances.
Gather your tools
Firstly, you need to gather your tools. As most appliances often have issues with their wiring, you should have a multimeter to check which wire or other electrical component isn’t working properly.
Besides wiring issues, household appliances may break down because of other things. That’s why it is important that you have a toolbox ready nearby so you can avoid going to the local handyman store every time an appliance decides to call it quits. Some essential tools you need to have in your toolbox include screwdrivers, hammers, nails, pliers, various lock washer types, rubber mallets, tape measure and utility saw, to name a few.
Also, if you are using machinery that could potentially cause harm, it is best to wear protective equipment.
Check the obvious
Before making any conclusions that your appliance is done for good, check to see if the power connection is faulty first. For this you can also use your multimeter to check if the problem lies in the electrical outlet. If it’s not, you should try and see if it is just your appliance that isn’t working despite being powered. Listen to some unusual sounds whether some parts might have disconnected and have become loose and detached from their mating assembly.
Nowadays, appliances with a display will show an LED error code when they have problems. You can search the error code online and find an easy and quick solution to the problem.
Safety first
Once you have found the problem, it is important to disconnect the appliance from the power supply before fixing it. Safety should be your top concern, so by disconnecting it you will ensure that no one gets hurt while working on the appliance.
You might want to look through the manual and see whether there is any valuable information about common problems that may arise with the appliance and recommended solutions to fix them.
Easy fixes for common appliance problems
If you’re having common problems with your appliances, here are a few quick and easy fixes.
Air Conditioning
If you notice that something is a bit off with your central air conditioning, it’s time to repair it. In most cases, it is the air filters that may be causing the most problems with AC. The filters can get quite dirty over time and prevent the AC from functioning properly. Even if there is not much dust built-up, it is crucial that you change your filter every couple of months. should be changed every couple of months.
To replace the old AC filter, turn off your AC. Then, open up vents where the old filter is and replace it with a new one.
Leaking Fridge
A clogged defrost drain can be a common cause of a leaky fridge. To fix it, start by unplugging the freezer and removing all the food from it along with the sliding drawers. Then, carefully remove the ice from the drain hole with a stiff wire, such as copper pipe or wire. Get a basting syringe and fill it with warm water to get rid of any remaining ice before refilling with more warm water.
Gas Burner Won’t Light
Clogged orifice is the most common problem in gas burners. To fix it, start by removing the burner grate and cleaning the burner cap with a wire brush. Next, using a flashlight, look for a brass hexagon with a hole in the middle. To unclog the gas burner, carefully wrap a paperclip around to gently push from the outside and break up the clog. Be sure not to insert it inside the nozzle as this will cause an increase in flame.
After completing all the steps, place the burner cover back and put the grill in its original position to make sure whether the gas burner is functional.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes it is better and more cost-effective to fix appliances on your own. If you’re not sure about a certain issue or don’t know how to tackle a specific problem, it’s always better to call in a professional. In case you choose to do it yourself, be sure to follow our advice so you can safely troubleshoot any problems.
