Appliance tips

Washing machines

Is your washer not doing anything when you turn it on?
Is your washer not spinning?
Is your washer not draining? 
Is your washer not completing cycles?
Is your washer not washing clothes well? We can help!!

Washing machines are great time savers, but their insides are made up of many parts that need care and maintenance. We rely on our washing machine so much that we must keep it running well and efficiently. Tucson Air Conditioning and Home Maintenance can fix any washer problem that you can't solve on your own. Try the following tips below, and if your washing machine is still not functioning properly, please contact us:

  • Check for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breaker. 
  • Confirm that your water shut-off valves are open.
  • Be sure that your inlet hoses are not kinked. 
  • Ensure that the washing machine is level and on firm footing.
  • Make sure the Washer lid is closed well. If it is, ensure the timer switch is fully engaged. 
  • Avoid overloading your washing machine.
  • To keep loads from piling up, try washing a load each day of the week.
  • Measure laundry detergent amounts. Using too much can cause buildup and odors.

 

Refrigerator and Freezer Repair and Maintenance

Is your refrigerator or freezer not cooling at all? 
Does your refrigerator sound like it is turning on and off constantly?
Is your freezer frosting up and not defrosting? 
Does your freezer have a large amount of ice buildup in it?

These are a few of the problems you may be facing right now. Tucson Air conditioning and Home Maintenance can help you solve all of your refrigerator and freezer problems. We repair all major brand name refrigerators. Please try the following tips and then contact us:

  • Check for blown fuses or a tripped circuit breaker.
  • Clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner or coil brush.
  • Make sure your unit has an automatic defrost option.
  • Adjust the door hinges so the door shuts tightly.
  • Clean the door gasket.

Here are some other general tips to avoid problems in your refrigerator/freezer:

  • At least once a year, vacuum the fan and condenser coils on the rear or bottom of your refrigerator using the brush attachment. Families with shedding pets should clean the coils more often.
  • If possible, don't keep your refrigerator in a warm area of the house, like the garage.  This adds extra work to your refrigerator's already heavy load.
  • Every few months, clean the door gasket with warm soapy water and towel dry. Inspect the gasket for proper sealing all the way around. Replace when loose, cracked, or torn.
  • Every six months, replace the unit’s water filter (when present) to ensure clean water and ice, and to prevent clogs and leaks.  Also do a water line inspection to make sure you do not have any leaks.
  • Since a refrigerator needs heat to escape, always maintain an adequate amount of clearance on all sides of the appliance, except for those that are zero-clearance or front-vented.
  • From time to time, verify that the appliance is level both front to back, and side to side, to ensure both proper door movement, and ice maker operation.
  • Set the right temperature. Keep the refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer at 0 degrees. If the refrigerator's temperature is set too low, it will have to run more to cool to a lower temperature.  That means, not only is it going to cost you more to keep your groceries cold, but now you are making your refrigerator run more than it needs to. Place a thermometer inside the refrigerator compartment to keep your refrigerator running at its ideal temperature.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer moderately full.  The reason for this is because your refrigerator uses the already cooled down foods and products in your machine to help it maintain temperature.
  • If you have a manual defrost refrigerator or freezer it requires very little maintenance. When frost has built up on the inside walls of the freezer to a thickness of ½ inch or so, remove the food from the refrigerator/freezer, turn off the thermostat, or unplug the unit, and allow all of the frost to melt. Once the frost has melted completely, turn the unit back on, wait for it to reach its operating temperature, and restock it with food.  You can also speed up this process by using a hair dryer to help you melt the ice more quickly.
  • If you have a newer self-defrosting refrigerator/freezer you don't need to defrost it manually. Every 6 to 8 hours, your refrigerator goes into a defrost cycle and melts any frost accumulation on the coils. The resulting water drains into a shallow pan at the bottom of the refrigerator/freezer. There's no need to empty the pan. The water in it will evaporate. But it may begin to smell bad over time. You may be able to remove it for periodic cleaning by detaching the lower grill and sliding the pan out the front of the refrigerator/freezer.
  • From time to time, it is good to check the water drain outlet at the bottom of your refrigerator compartment to make sure the drain is free of foreign debris.

 

Dryer Repair and Maintenance

Is your dryer not operating correctly? Is it not heating at all? Is it not drying your clothes fully? Here are a few things you can do before you contact us:

  • Check for a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker.
  • If your dryer is a gas dryer, make sure your gas valve is opened.
  • Check your dryer vent to make sure there are no kinks or obstructions.  
  • Clean your lint filter. 
  • Clean the area under your lint filter. 
  • Once a year, clean and maintain the dryer's vent by:
    • Making sure the vent pipe from your dryer to the outside of your home is as short as possible. The shorter the better. This allows your dryer to vent properly while maintaining the optimal airflow it needs to dry your clothing properly.
    • Ensure that your vent pipe is not crushed or kinked. This could also affect your dryer's performance.
    • Your dryer vent pipe should be made of aluminum. The white vinyl duct that was common several years ago no longer meets building safety codes and should be changed. If you have any further questions please contact Tucson Air conditioning and Home Maintenance.

 

Range/Stove and Oven Repair

Here are a few maintenance tips to keep your range and oven running well:

  • If you have an electric range, from time to time make sure the burners are seated well into the drip pan, and make sure they are pushed all the way into the electrical receptacle. This will insure you are making a good electrical connection, and will help your burners to last longer.
  • If you have a gas range make sure you are getting an even consistent flame all the way around the burner.  If not, when the stove has cooled down, take a pin or paper-clip, and clean out the orifices of the gas burner.  This will ensure you are getting a full, even, and consistent flame when you cook.
  • If you only occasionally use your oven, make sure you do turn it on from time to time, even if you are not planning to cook anything.  This will ensure all the parts in your oven are in working order, and will give some of the moving parts in your machine a chance to move a little.  This is a good maintenance practice to keep everything running well for years.
  • Controls.  Remove the knobs and wash them in warm, soapy water. For clocks and display areas, wipe with a damp cloth and dry. Note: Try not to scrub the knobs too much, as it is very easy for the indicator marks to rub off.
  • Oven door.  The oven door on nearly all ovens is removable for easier cleaning. Wash the door and window with soap and water, and rinse with clear water. Use glass cleaner only if sprayed on a cloth first. DO NOT use abrasive pads, powdered cleaners, or steel wool on glass and enamel, or the surfaces will be scratched.
  • Oven Interior.  Mild de-greasing cleaners and sponges can be used inside the oven. Metal scouring pads will scratch the oven's surface. Commercial oven cleaners should be used according to manufacturer's instructions.
  • Remove oven racks and clean them in warm, soapy water. Stubborn stains can be cleaned by using mild abrasive cleansers or a soap filled scouring pad. Rinse and dry the racks before returning them to the oven. For any further assistance, please contact Tucson Air conditioning and Home Maintenance.

 

Dishwasher Repair

Here are a few things to check before you give us a call:

  • If your dishwasher does not work at all, make sure that it is plugged in.  If it looks like your machine is plugged in, the next step is to make sure that your breaker is not switched off.
  • If your dishwasher won’t drain, try cleaning the filter at the bottom of the dishwasher and then run the dishwasher again. If this doesn’t work please contact Tucson Air Conditioning and Home Maintenance.
  • If your dishwasher won’t fill, this could be due to several causes. Be sure the door is latched securely, and that the water is turned on. Check the timer to make sure the proper cycle has been selected, and that the cycle has started. Check your home’s circuit breaker and confirm it has not been tripped. Check the inlet hose for kinks or sediment; clean it if necessary.
  • If your dishwasher won’t drain the water in the bottom of the tub, check to make sure a breaker hasn't tripped.  Check that the dish-washing cycle is actually completed. Check your drain hose for a kink, and be sure the drain hose is elevated in the drain or disposal.
  •  If your dishwasher detergent cup is not empty, check to see if the dishwasher cycle has actually completed. Make sure the dispenser is not blocked; clear it if you can. Be sure to use fresh dishwasher detergent which has been stored in a cool, dry place.
  • If your dishwasher leaks, check to make sure that the dishwasher is level.  Too many suds can cause the dishwasher to overflow.  Make sure you are using the right kind of detergent and in the proper quantity.  Use less detergent in soft water, than in hard water.  Check the gasket along the dishwasher door for cracks and damage. If your leak continues and is more than just a few droplets, please contact Tucson Air Conditioning and Home Maintenance.
  • If your dishes don’t get clean on the first wash, there are quite a few things to consider:
    • Is there enough water?  If the water does reach the heating element, you may have a serious problem.  Consult with a Tucson Air Conditioning and Home Maintenance technician.
    • Is the water hot enough? The temperature of the water should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.  Adjust your hot water heater accordingly.
    • Do you have a blockage? Check both spray arms for food particles and debris.
    • Are you overloading the dishwasher? Try less dishes or large items (such as pots and pans). You may be impeding water from reaching all of your items. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for loading dishes to allow for proper water circulation.
  • If your dishwasher is filled with suds, make sure the detergent your using is designed for dishwasher use.  If you use regular dish-washing soap, excessive suds will be produced.

For any further assistance please contact Tucson Air Conditioning and Home Maintenance.

 

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