When we buy appliances, we hope they will serve us for decades. However, many of them break down after a few years of work. Why does it happen?
The most common reason is a lack of maintenance. Taking good care of your appliances can save you a formidable amount of money and time.
Installing an appliance is only part of the job. You have to learn how to inspect and maintain it in order to extend its lifespan for several years.
You may be surprised by how considerable the average appliance lifespans are. Without proper care, they are usually reduced by half.
1. Opt for Professional Installation
The key to a long lifespan of an appliance is proper installation. Even a minor mistake made during the installation process could lead to frequent breakdowns, leaks, rusting, and much more.
Consider opting for professional installation of such appliances as dishwashers, laundry machines, air conditioners, and anything, which is not simply “plug-and-use”.
You may not notice problems with installation immediately. They could arise in a month or even a year. During that time, the condition of your appliance could be getting worse.
2. Keep Them Clean
Homeowners often neglect to clean their appliances regularly. Meanwhile, dirt and grime lead to rusting, mold formation, and erosion. It’s important to clean such appliances as fridge, freezer, and microwave at least once a month.
Make sure that no dirt is stuck on refrigerator coils. It can lead to the appliance burning out. Oven and range have to be cleaned depending on how heavily you use them. Leaving grime and grease inside could cause erosion, which is impossible to remove.
Run your washing machine, dishwasher, and an electric kettle with special cleaning solutions every once in a while to get rid of dirt from the places you can’t reach. You should also wipe the surfaces to prevent rusting.
3. Follow Instructions
Technicians at Hartman’s Appliance Repair share that one of the main reasons why appliances break down before their lifespan is up is failing to read the manual. Homeowners tend to believe that they know how to deal with the appliance so they forget about instructions.
Meanwhile, each appliance needs a special approach. You may be surprised but they are hardly created equal. The new refrigerator may require a completely different approach than the old one.
Take the time to read the manual. Your appliances will say “thank you” and so will your budget.
4. Replace Filters and Seals
Pay special attention to replacing consumables, such as filters and sealers. They are the cheapest parts of your appliances, which are usually easy to replace. By failing to do it on a regular basis, you are putting a strain on other components and forcing your appliance to break down untimely.
In the manual, you’ll find a section about the filter replacement. Don’t leave it off for too long. Meanwhile, regular inspections (at least once every six months) should help you see if the seals are in good condition.
For example, something as simple as a bad seal can keep your refrigerator from closing tightly. As a result, it could be straining to maintain the right temperature, thus using more energy and eventually breaking down.
5. Choose Professional Maintenance
The majority of your appliances can work for a long time if you inspect them and change consumables regularly. However, after several years of operation, they may still need professional maintenance. A technician can check all parts to see how worn out they are and if they need replacement.
By catching a problem timely, you could avoid appliance repair and replacement for many years.
Many repair companies offer maintenance services at a reasonable price. Find a respectable company in advance, so you can know whom to call if something breaks down.
Some appliances, such as air conditioners, require annual maintenance. Failing to invest in such services could lead to energy waste and costly repairs.
6. Invest in High-Quality Repair
No matter how hard you try, some appliances tend to break down before their lifespan is over. When that happens, it’s highly important not to try and fix them on your own. DIY repair isn’t just low in quality, it could be dangerous and costly.
If you want to make sure your appliances get a new life, invest in a professional appliance repair. Experienced technicians can figure out what the problem is in mere seconds. Meanwhile, it may take you hours. They have a full set of necessary tools for repair while you are unlikely to have such instruments at home.
Low-quality repair may make your appliance work. However, it’s likely to break down in the nearest future.
7. Use As Intended
Another common cause for appliance breakdown is the owners’ failure to use them according to their intended purpose. Boiling liquids other than water in kettles, stuffing the laundry machines over their capacity, warming up metal things in the microwave. The list goes on and on.
Make sure you are only using your appliances as intended, and they will work according to your expectations.
Final Thoughts
The life expectancy of your appliances depends on how carefully you approach their maintenance. Starting from proper installation and ending with timely repair, you could enjoy the way they work for years to come.
It’s important to keep appliances clean, replace consumable timely, use them as intended, and work with professional repairmen. If you follow simple maintenance rules, you could avoid formidable repair and replacement expenses.
