This page discusses your water heater, garbage disposal, automatic dishwasher, oven, cook top and smoke detector. Refrigerators, clothes washers and clothes dryers are also discussed (your heating system and garage door openers are discussed on other pages).
Electric and gas appliances are accompanied by instruction booklets and other papers. Save these papers for future reference. Read all instruction literature carefully, remove, fill out and mail any postcards necessary to record warranties and perform all recommended maintenance.
If an electric appliance fails to operate, be sure that it is plugged in before you call a repair service. Be sure the circuit breaker for that appliance is on. If a gas appliance fails to work, check to see that the pilot light is lit. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the premises and call 911 immediately.
Many appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, etc., have motors that require periodic servicing. Consult the manuals that came with the appliances for information about care of these motors.
Water Heater
Most homes have domestic hot water that is heated by electric, gas or oil water heaters. As a hot water faucet is opened, heated water is drawn from the top of the water heater’s tank. The heated water is replaced by cold water that flows into the bottom of the tank. When the water temperature drops below a pre-set minimum, a thermostat activates electric heating elements or a gas or oil burner.
A temperature-pressure relief valve guards against excessive temperatures and pressures. This safety valve should be located near the top of the tank. An extension discharge pipe should be attached to the relief valve and run down the side of the tank to just above the floor. This discharge pipe prevents burns and other damage from discharged water. There must be no valves, caps or other obstructions preventing discharged water from draining rapidly.
If the temperature-pressure relief valve ever discharges steam or boiling water, shut off the water heater and call a plumber immediately.
Sediment can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater’s tank. This reduces the unit’s efficiency and can cause serious damage. Unusual noises from the tank such as “whistling and sizzling” or “rumbling and cracking” can be a sign of sediment buildup. A drain valve near the bottom of the water heater can be used to prevent sediment accumulation. Once a month, place a bucket under the valve and drain water and sediment from the bottom of the tank (5 gallons or so) until the water runs clear.
You should also inspect your water heater once every 6 months. During the inspection, check to see whether there are any signs that water has leaked or been discharged from the temperature-pressure relief valve. If so, call a plumber immediately. The relief valve may be faulty or there may be a problem with the water heater.
Test the relief valve by lifting or pressing down on it’s handle. Water should flow through the valve and down the discharge pipe. If water does not flow through the valve or if water continues to drip from the valve after the handle is released, call a plumber immediately to replace the defective valve.
Inspect the cold water supply pipe, the hot water outlet pipe, the water heater’s metal housing and along the unit’s base for rust, corrosion and signs of leaks. If you find a moist area, wipe it with a towel to determine whether the moisture is from a leak or from condensation. Repair all leaks or have the tank replaced if necessary.
If you have a gas or oil-fired water heater, you should have the unit professionally serviced at the same time your heating system is serviced. The service person should inspect and test the temperature and pressure relief valve, drain sediment from the tank, inspect the flue assembly and clean and adjust the burner ports.
Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal’s instruction booklet gives precise directions for the disposal’s operation. Be careful not to clog disposal drains with grease. You should be as careful of grease in your disposal as you are with any other drain.
Clean your garbage disposal by grinding ice cubes in the disposal regularly. Then “flush” your garbage disposal with hot water and baking soda once a month to prevent residual grease and soap from fouling your garbage disposal or clogging its drain.
Always run cold water when the disposal is on. Should the disposal drain become clogged, do not put chemicals down the disposal. If your disposal becomes overloaded with a substance it cannot grind, consult your instruction book.
Twice a year, tighten the drain connections and fasteners and look for signs of water leaks. See the manufacturer’s instruction booklet for more information.
Automatic Dishwasher
Clean your dishwasher control panel with a lightly dampened cloth. Dry thoroughly. Do not use abrasives or sharp objects on the panel. Clean the outside with a good appliance polish wax. Scouring pads and harsh and gritty cleaners can damage the outside cabinet.
Clean the strainer and the spray arm once every three months. Other than that, the inside of the dishwasher should never need cleaning.
Inspect for water leaks every six months. First, complete a load of dishes in the dishwasher. Then, look along the front of the dishwasher for leaking water. Next, take off the front panel along the bottom of the unit and look underneath for signs of leaks. Look for water, water spots and signs of water damage. Have any leaks repaired immediately.
Oven
Your oven’s appliance manual sets out safety precautions, operation instructions and oven care suggestions. Do not use scouring pads or abrasive cleaners on the control dial area, front door or trim of your oven.
You can test your oven’s thermostat by placing an accurate oven thermometer in the center of a 350 degree oven. After 20 minutes, check the reading. If it’s more than 100 degrees too high or too low, replace the control. If the difference is less than 100 degrees, pull the oven control knob off and locate the calibration screw. Tighten or loosen the screw. Keep testing until the temperature is correct.
Cook-top
Review your cook-top’s appliance booklet for safety precautions, operation instructions, care and maintenance suggestions and troubleshooting information. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended cooking procedures.
Never let the burners get too dirty. If you have a spill over, let the burner cool, then clean immediately. If stains and cooking soil are allowed to burn onto the burner, they become more difficult to remove. Be careful when lifting heavy grills.
Range fan/vent
A range fan near your cook-top vents cooking fumes. This fan contains a filter for trapping grease. This filter should be removed and cleaned periodically. You can clean this metal filter by hand with dish-washing detergent and water or place it in the dishwasher. Clean the fan blades and the fan’s housing twice a year.
Refrigerator
Refrigerators have a drain in their floor. Water from melting frost flows out this drain, into a pan and evaporates. Food particles can clog the drain and cause odors. Clean the drain regularly by removing its stopper and using a pipe cleaner or similar device to push any accumulations through to the drain pan below. Force a cleaning solution of detergent and water through the drain. Empty, wash and replace the pan. You should also vacuum the condenser coils along the back or bottom of the refrigerator.
The door gasket, if washed often with soapy water, should last as long as the refrigerator. If you suspect the gasket is no longer sealing well, test it by holding a dollar bill so it’s caught in the closed door. You should feel resistance when you pull the bill out. Repeat the test in several places. A gasket that does not pass the test or that is obviously cracked or torn should be replaced.
Temperature settings for refrigerator and freezer compartments are given arbitrary numbers by manufacturers (for example, 1 through 9, warmest to coldest). Generally, 37 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for the refrigerator compartment and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer. If you suspect a problem, test the temperatures with a refrigerator or outdoor thermometer.
Clothes Washer
Clean the water inlet filters and inspect hoses for leaks twice a year.
It is always recommended to install steel braided hoses, especially where washers are located on finished flooring, to prevent flooding if a rubber hose bursts. One of the leading causes for home insurance claims is due to the rubber hoses bursting and causing major water damage.
If your washer ever fails to work, first check its power supply. Be sure the cord is plugged in and not defective. Next check the GFCI (if equipped) to make sure it hasn’t tripped then check the circuit breaker.
Be sure the faucets are fully open and screens in the water inlet valve or hoses aren’t clogged. For causes and remedies of these and other problems, see your instruction booklet.
Clothes Dryer
NOTE: It is estimated that more than 15,000 fires a year are due to vent lint build up in dryers.
Vacuum lint from the dryer’s ducts and surrounding areas twice a year. It is recommended to use only aluminum or steel ducting for dryer vents.
If your dryer isn’t working, be sure the cord is plugged in and isn’t defective, next, check the circuit breaker or GFCI if so equipped.
If your dryer isn’t drying as it should, clean the lint trap and remove any lint from the exhaust duct with a vacuum or piece of wire. If it is not accessible there are companies today that clean dryer vents.
If you have a gas dryer and it doesn’t heat, have your gas company or a qualified professional inspect the pilot or adjust the air-gas ratio.
For causes and remedies of these and other problems, see your appliance manual.
