What To Check Before You Call An Appliance Repair Technician

Albuquerque, NM -- (SBWire) -- 04/16/2010 -- We have been in the appliance repair business since 1989 and have thousands of satisfied customers. Our repeat and referral customer base continues to exceed our expansion projections. We service most of the Albuquerque metro area including Bernalillo county and parts of its surrounding counties. If you have an appliance repair need, we can help. We offer a one year parts and labor repair guarantee because your satisfaction is our utmost concern. By following a regular maintenance checklist you can reduce the likelihood of needing costly repairs on your appliances, as well as reduce wear and tear on your home while lowering your energy costs.

You should perform a maintenance checkup on your home appliances on a minimum basis of twice a year (Spring and Fall are the best times.) The following checklist will help you to preserve and protect your home and appliances while saving thousands of dollars annually.

- Replace HVAC filters and remove other debris around the system. Wipe off accumulated dust and grime. (Electronic filters must be changed monthly) Make sure that you check and clean all vents.
- Remove accumulated sediment and residue from the hot water heater by draining completely.
- Remove debris and accumulations from outside unit of the HVAC system that may prevent the smooth passage of air. Ensure that lines' insulations are attached and properly affixed.
- Check basements and crawlspace for dampness from leaks.
- Remove mold mildew from bathrooms completely or add new caulking if necessary. Include vents and windows.
- Patch holes in bathroom caulking. Clean grout on tiling and repair if necessary.
- Run water on all sinks and check for leaks.
- Run the dishwasher with vinegar to remove residue and check for leaks. Clean filter and lubricate or replace seals. Check the dishwasher rack for any scratches or places where the coating may be missing and replace. Applying a sealant to a dish washer rack may not hold. The sealant would end up in an orifice or pump. It’s better to leave alone or replace rack than replace the machine.
- Run a full cycle on the washer with vinegar to remove residue and check hoses for leaks.
- Remove lint and other debris from the close dryer filter and vents.
- Add baking soda to garbage disposal loosen caked on food particles.
- Clean the stove burners with a degreaser and test ensure a free passageway of the gas. For prevent fires and reduce use the same degreaser to clean the hood, oven and surface area to reduce. Don't forget to clean other vents and windows.
- Vacuum the refrigeration condenser coils and grills and brush off other grime and build-up. Usually just vacuuming the coils is sufficient. If vacuuming is not enough, remove the appliance from the house and apply coil cleaner. Make sure that you cover electrical connections and hose down your work area after you’re finished.
- Thoroughly clean freezer/refrigerator inside and out. Don't forget to clean the drip pan. Seals and gaskets must be cleaned thoroughly as well. (Replaced if necessary). Poorly sealing door gaskets cause the compressors to overwork and burn up. Should be cleaned but not lubricated.
- Change smoke/fire detector batteries and test.
- Check furnace fan and motor. Vacuum motor if possible, or remove fan and motor, and use water pressure and degrease if necessary to remove buildup of dust and dirt from fan motor. If you can disassemble the fan from the motor do so. If not, let the fan motor dry thoroughly before reinstalling. This buildup will shorten fan motor life and cause an out of balance condition with fan motor.
- If you are experiencing reduced air flow from your homes air vents or notice water buildup around the base of your furnace at times, you could be have a dirty A coil. The A coil, also known as an evaporator coil, sits either on the top or bottom of your furnace. Either way, the air leaves your furnace to enter the homes ducts. Dirty A coils are most often caused by missing or poorly fitting furnace filters. Some A coils have an access panel but most often you will have to cut open the homes metal air ducts to get to the A coil.
- Some old furnaces with gas chambers have a hard time keeping the pilot light lit. Sometimes this condition is caused by a clogged exhaust vent. To correct this condition, remove the furnace from its location. Prepare degreaser and a water hose with good water flow. Flush the furnace chamber and vent thoroughly stopping several times to spray degreaser and allowing it to soak prior to flushing.

This is also a great list to review if you are preparing to put your home on the market!

We work on all major brands of home appliances and can almost always provide same-day service. To schedule an appointment, fill out our online appointment form or give us a call at (505) 515-0074. For more information, visit our website at http://www.ApplianceRepairAlbuquerque.net.