Home Appliance Repairs—DIY Projects Or Leave It To The Professionals?

Posted on: 29 August 2018

Appliance malfunctions and breakdowns can happen at any time. So, what do you do when it's obvious the refrigerator, stove, or washer is on the fritz? It's common for many people to automatically pick up the phone to call a professional home repair service, but home appliance repairs don't always require the help of a professional. Here are a few tips for repairs that may be DIY projects and which require a professional.

DIY Home Appliance Repairs

First and foremost, it is important to remember that accuracy and safety are both essential when it comes to doing home appliance repairs. Before beginning any repair project make sure you have the tools and knowledge to safely and effectively complete the repair project. If not, are the tools affordable and easy to acquire? Also, ask yourself if your repairs will be as comprehensive and thorough as a professional. If you answered yes to these questions, there are a number of home appliance repairs you can tackle, including the following.

Replacing the heating element  Repairs for the stove may seem like something the professionals should take care of, but when it comes to a burnt-out heating element, the repairs are easy and straightforward. Most electric stoves have burners that plug in just like other electrical outlets. All you need to do to make the repairs is purchase a new burner, remove the old one, and plug the new one in. Just remember to disconnect the power source before doing any type of repairs.

Water leaks from the washer or dishwasher – In many situations, a water leak is typically caused by a disconnected or deteriorated hose. If you have a puddle of water under the dishwasher or the washing machine, first disconnect the power and then inspect all of the inlet and outlet hoses as well as their connections to look for any damages. If the hose is disconnected, simply reattach, making sure that the fitting holding it in place is secure. If there is damage, remove the hose and replace with a new one.

Leave It to the Professionals

Although calling a professional appliance repair service may seem like a large expense, it's usually more cost-effective in the long run. Choosing to have an appliance repaired as opposed to replacing it is almost always less expensive, and not risking your safety is always a good reason to contact the professionals. A couple of the appliance repairs that require a professional touch include the following.

Gas appliances – Whether it is the stove, water heater, or dryer, all gas appliance repairs should be done by a professional repair company, especially if the malfunction involves the heating element or gas supply. From starting a fire to creating a gas leak, the hazards of gas appliance repairs can be extremely dangerous. To maintain your safety and the safety of your home, always contact a professional repair service for gas appliances. 

Refrigerator repairs – Unless the problem is something minor, such as replacing a door seal, the majority of refrigerator/freezer repairs should be left to a professional. The refrigerator contains potentially dangerous coolants that could put your health at risk if it isn't handled correctly. A qualified appliance repair service technician is properly trained to inspect, replace, and control the coolants.

Before starting any type of DIY appliance repairs, always remember to review the owner's manual to ensure you have the right tools and equipment to make the repairs. Regardless of what appliance is need of repairs, if you aren't comfortable tackling the project yourself, it is always better to contact a professional repair service such as Aplus Appliance or a similar company.

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