Modern times and technological advancements make it easier to complete everyday tasks around the house through innovative appliances. When they start performing poorly or break, you will have more work at hand. Take proactive steps to prevent problems before they ever begin by taking care of what you have and following the tips below.
Inspect the Water Heater
When your water heater stops working, you will know right away. The temperature will drop quickly, rendering your morning shower more than miserable. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to call the professionals for water heater repair, do not hesitate. There are circumstances where they may be able to fix problems before they become worse and result in property damage.
As part of your routine water heater inspection efforts, you should look at every surface of the water heater tank every week. Look on the floor where the water heater sits and visually assess the area for leaks. If you find anything concerning, such as bubbling paint or rust, contact a professional water heater repair person. Should you notice any moisture or standing water, make contact immediately.
A proactive way to keep your water heater in good working order is to have the water heater repair company send a technician out to drain the appliance annually. The purpose is to flush out any sediment that has come into the water heater through the municipal water supply. The sediment collects over time at the bottom of the appliance and can lead to damage, clogs, and leaks.
Finally, place a water sensor near the water heater. You can find ones that link directly to an app on your phone and alert you if any water is detected in the vicinity. Look at your local hardware store or ask your repair person for a recommendation.
Clean the Dishwasher
It may seem counterintuitive to clean a machine that is designed to clean, but it is best to trust the user’s manual and take some time to address the grime and guck lurking inside. Speaking of the user’s manual, this is the best place to start to determine how to go about sanitizing your dishwasher as different brands and models may have specific requirements and processes.
Regardless of what type of dishwasher you have, all models will generally benefit from the following items:
- A pair of rubber gloves. These are for you.
- An old toothbrush or a new one that you intend to throw away afterward.
- A garbage can that is nearby.
Follow your manual or the video below and begin cleaning. You will be amazed by how much food build-up is present on the internal components, and the process might inspire you to rinse your dishes a little more before placing them in the dishwasher to help it run more efficiently.
Watch this helpful video for information on how to clean your dishwasher.
Maintain the HVAC System
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit or HVAC system is not something you generally want to service yourself. Just like your water heater, if something seems in disrepair or requires repair, it is best that you contact a licensed professional to determine the problem and remedy it.
HVAC systems operate the most efficiently when they receive routine servicing. Your local service person can advise you on best practices for your area, but it is generally recommended that the units are professionally serviced at least once per year. By doing so, you are paying a nominal fee to prevent a very costly repair or replacement that could be avoided.
An HVAC professional will inform you of the overall health of your system while preparing it for use for the upcoming season. Whether the summer heat is imminent or the cold winter months are on their way, you do not want to be without a well-functioning system. In addition, your technician will change your air filter and relay how often you should change it between professional service calls. In desert climates, for example, filters may need to be changed more often to accommodate the filtration of higher amounts of dust and debris.
Care for the Refrigerator
Another appliance that you rely on day in and day out is your refrigerator. This unit is usually combined with a freezer on the bottom, top, or as a side-by-side model. The simple act of using a fridge every day means it gets dirty. Everything from the accumulation of crumbs and dirt both inside and out to small and large spills adds up.
The first thing to know about taking care of your refrigerator is that whenever a spill occurs, you should take a few moments to clean it immediately. This will prevent spills from spreading, dripping downwards, or drying and making it more difficult to clean up later. To that end, when you and your family store food, ensure the lids are adequately closed before placing them inside the fridge or freezer. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It is just easier to put the lid on all the way instead of cleaning up.
A major part of caring for your fridge unit is cleaning the external components. Once again, your user’s manual will be of great benefit here. You will learn a host of helpful cleaning tips, such as the right way to vacuum the coils and how to change the water filter. Both of these things are important as they help extend the life of the appliance.
Now that you have some great ideas on how to take care of your essential appliances and ensure they last a long time, it is time to get cleaning. You can call your professional servicers for scheduling and take care of everything all in one day, or space it out on your calendar. Get your significant other or older children involved in the process. When everyone works together, invaluable skills are learned, and cleaning time becomes bonding time. The most important part is that you will get done quicker so you can do the things you enjoy most.