Homeowners have a lot of appliances to worry about, and some may feel more important than others. But did you know many household appliances hiding in plain sight might not be working as well as they could? If these are left to worsen, you could end up paying the price—literally.
Here are six common appliances in your home that could use some maintenance and TLC.
1. Heaters and Furnaces
Heaters and furnaces are top of this list since many homeowners will only use them for a fraction of the year. Because of this, they’ll sit dormant, waiting for the right moment to tell you they needed maintenance or repairs yesterday.
How can you tell if there’s something wrong with your furnace? Your first step is to turn it on before it gets cold; try it out earlier in the season to ensure nothing strange is happening, and fix it before winter if there is.
Once you turn it on, look for strange noises, inadequate heat distribution, or abnormal smells. Any of these problems could indicate that your furnace needs repair.
2. AC Units
These systems follow a similar logic to heaters and furnaces; since it’s not on year-round, you might not realize the AC needs repair until you need it to work. If you live in a warmer climate, you might notice the AC issues much sooner than the furnace, but it can still sneak up on you.
Many people will try to compensate for an underperforming AC by turning it up when it needs repair.
You can keep your AC healthy by doing the same thing you did with your heater. Turn it on well before you need it, and check for airflow, hot or cold spots, and strange sounds or smells.
3. Washers and Dryers
It can take a while before you notice that your washer and dryer are giving out. Most people will start by turning their dryer on for longer or adding more detergent to the wash. Sadly, this will only work temporarily and will likely worsen whatever problem.
But if there’s any sign that these appliances aren’t working as well as they should, it’s time to call for maintenance and see what’s wrong. Waiting any longer could leave you with unusable appliances that need repairs or even replacements — a much more expensive situation that no homeowner wants to put themselves in.
4. Refrigerators
Is your refrigerator running? That’s a good question and one you should be able to answer. However, refrigerators fall into the same trap as other appliances — something could be wrong for months before you realize it.
Most refrigerators aren’t maintenance-heavy, but that doesn’t mean they won’t benefit from a professional eye if you suspect something is amiss. There could be hidden leaks or issues with cooling that are getting worse by the minute.
If you have an older fridge, you’ll need to check on it more often to ensure it’s keeping your food cold enough.
5. Dishwashers
Another appliance that people overcompensate for is a dishwasher. The downfall is usually slow, giving you time to furrow your brow when you unload it and either reload the dish, wash it by hand, or use more power next time to get the dishes cleaner. This decline is a frustrating path that ultimately leads to repairs or maintenance.
Your best bet is to address the problem when you notice it. You may be able to self-diagnose the issue. It could be how you load the dishwasher or the detergent you’re using. But if you can’t solve the mystery, scheduling a maintenance visit to better understand the problem is always a good idea.
Check In With Your Home
Many appliances will show signs of wear and tear well before the problem spirals out of control. Whether or not you fix it in time hinges on how frequently you call for professional maintenance.
While you can’t always know how your appliances will behave in the future, consistent maintenance is vital for ensuring your home appliances are always performing their best.
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