Appliance Repair Tricks New Homeowners Should Know

For new homeowners, one nightmare situation is that a new appliance starts to break down soon after purchase. Luckily, there are many ways to repair and maintain your appliances without hiring a professional. Here are a few of the most useful tips and tricks:

Clean Filters Regularly

Many homeowners don’t realize how cleaning your AC filters can increase the lifespan of the system. Dirty or clogged filters make the system use more energy and make a future issue more likely. Clean the unit regularly by opening the front panel and throwing out disposable filters, or vacuuming it clean if it’s a reusable filter.

Use Boiling Water to Fix Clogged Toilets

When a clogged toilet can’t be fixed with a few rounds of plunging alone, many homeowners call the plumber. However, a little boiling water can help you clear the clog yourself! Use any water-holding receptacle to remove water from basin, then replace with boiling water until only hot water remains in the bowl. Continue plunging while replacing hot water when necessary. Boiling water will erode blockages faster, and make plunging more likely to fix the problem.

Clean and Unclog Garbage Disposals

Always clean your garbage disposal regularly. To do so, simply use tongs or similar implements (never your fingers!) to remove any physical clogs, then run a cleaning solution down the disposal. You can make your own cleaning solution by running an ice water and salt mixture down the drain to loosen grime and debris, followed by lemon halves, one at a time, to further clean and deodorize. If you do this regularly, the only problem you should ever run into are minor clogs, which can be fixed without the help of a professional.

Fix Washing Machine Clogs

Washing machines save tons of manual labor, so maintaining and fixing them is a must. One common issue is a buildup of debris on the spray arm, which causes incomplete washing of dishes. To repair clogs, simply slide the bottom dish-rack out and check the water jets on the spray arm. If debris is found, clean using a steel-wire brush or similar materials.

Overall, the best rule of thumb is that if the problem seems simple, try DIY repair first, as many issues can be repaired easily. However, if you run into problems, it’s best for your safety and the function of your appliance to call a professional technician or electrician for further help.