Appliance Maintenance Tips, Part 2

To continue our series on appliance maintenance tips, check out these pointers for common washer and dryer problems and how to fix them:

DRYER

No heat

For both gas and electric dryers, the most common problem is usually a fully or partially clogged vent. So, you’ll want to check the dryer vent hose and ideally vacuum the lint out of the dryer (by removing the front dryer panel to gain access to the area beneath the dryer where the lint accumulates) to avoid a fire hazard. And if your electric dryer is not heating, the first thing to check are the fuses/breakers in your house fuse panel. There are two separate fuses/breakers for your dryer and if one of the two should fail, it is possible for your dryer to run but not produce any heat.

WASHING MACHINE

Prevent rupturing hoses

Over time, the water hoses that came with your new washing machine may leak or burst. It’s a good preventive maintenance practice to check these hoses from time to time for any sign of wear or weakness. Often there’s a small blister in the rubber of the hose, which could rupture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the hoses every 5 years. Note… If the hose ruptures, large quantities of water could gush from the hose. If it’s the hot water hose that ruptures, the gushing hot water may scald anyone nearby. For more peace of mind, one alternative is to use high quality stainless steel fill hoses that may offer a greater degree of protection.

–Contributed by Mark Miller, communications director, www.AppliancePartsPros.com

In the market for a new kitchen appliance? Find out what you need to know before you buy on the Atlanta Home Improvement website.