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Quick Fixes For Common Hot Water Heater Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:49:16 +0000

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common gas / electric hot water heater problems.

Problem: Gas Water Heater – There is no hot water

Cause:

Pilot light isn’t on

Pilot light won’t keep burning

Clog in the burner

Defective thermocouple

Defective thermostat

Solution:

Carefully light the pilot

Make sure the gas controls are turned all the way on. Then, check and be sure it is firmly connected to the gas control unit and positioned near the pilot flame.

Call a qualified professional

Replace the thermocouple

Replace the thermostat

Problem: Gas Water Heater - There isn’t enough hot water

Cause:

Thermostat isn’t correctly set

Thermostat is defective

Hot water pipes are exposed

Reversed plumbing

Solution:

Turn the thermostat up higher

Call a qualified professional

Insulate the hot water pipes

Correct plumbing

Problem: Electric Water Heater – There is no hot water

Cause:

Water heater has no power

Safety thermostat has quit working

Defect in the heating elements

Solution:

Check the fuse box / circuit breaker. If the heater repeatedly blows fuses, call an electrician.

Push the reset button. Test the heating thermostats and elements.

Test the elements and replace them if necessary.

Problem: Electric Water Heater – The hot water supply is too low

Cause:

Thermostat is set wrong

Tank is too small

Solution:

Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature

Have a qualified professional install a larger heater

Quick Fixes For Common Clothes Dryer Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:32:23 +0000

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common clothes dryer problems.

Problem: Can’t turn the clothes dryer on

Cause:

No power is reaching the outlet

Door switch is damaged

Defect in the centrifugal switch

Solution:

Check the fuse box / circuit breaker

Check the switch and replace it if necessary

Problem: Motor runs, but the drum doesn’t turn

Cause:

Drum is blocked

Drive belt is broken

Idler wheel is broken

Support wheel is worn

Solution:

Open the unit and look for obstructions around the drum

Replace the belt

Check the assembly and replace it if necessary

Check the wheel and replace it if necessary

Problem: The drum turns, but nothing gets dry

Cause:

Clog in the lint trap

Safety thermostat is defective

Defect in the heating element

Timer is defective

Solution:

Clean the trap and the exhaust vent

Check the thermostat and replace it

Check the element and replace it

Check the timer and replace it

Problem: It takes too long to dry a load

Cause:

Clog in the lint trap or exhaust vent

Dryer is overloaded

Clothes are too wet

Solution:

Clean the trap and exhaust vent

Reduce the load and try again

Reduce the load

Quick Fixes For Common Garbage Disposal Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:21:33 +0000

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common kitchen garbage disposal problems.

Problem: Can’t turn the motor on

Cause:

No power

On / off switch is defective

Overload protector switch is tripped

Solution:

Check the fuse box / circuit breaker. If the disposal is plugged into a way outlet, check the outlet.

On continuous-feed models, check the wall switch. On batch-feed models, check the stopper switch.

If the flywheel is jammed, free it up. Then, push the reset button.

Problem: Motor hums but unit doesn’t grind

Cause:

Flywheel is jammed

Motor bearings have frozen

Solution:

Free the flywheel

Call a qualified professional. You’ll probably have to buy a new unit.

Problem: The garbage disposal grinds things too slowly

Cause:

Not enough water

Improper waste in the unit

Dull shredder ring or broken flyweights

Solution:

Run more cold water when using the disposal

Only dispose of materials allowed by the manual

Replace defective parts

Problem: The garbage disposal is making an unusual amount of noise

Cause:

Metallic object in the unit

Mounting screws are loose

Flyweight is broken

Motor is defective

Solution:

Inspect the unit and fish out the object with tongs.

Tighten the mounting screws

Replace the broken flywheel

Call a qualified professional

Quick Fixes For Common Oven Range Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:54:06 +0000

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common gas or electric oven / range problems.

Problem: The gas range surface burner doesn’t light

Cause:

Pilot light is out or gas isn’t on

Solution:

Follow the instructions for relighting the pilot
on your particular range

Problem: The pilot light doesn’t remain lit

Cause:

Pilot port is clogged

Range is in a drafty place

Solution:

Use a small wire to clean the port

Try to prevent drafts near the range

Problem: The electric range is not working at all

Cause:

No power is reaching the range

Solution:

Check the fuse box / circuit breaker. If you don’t find a problem, call a professional electrician.

Problem: The electric range has a top element that doesn’t heat

Cause:

Defective element, wiring, terminal block or switch

Solution:

Check each part for continuity and replace it if necessary

Quick Fixes For Common Washing Machine Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:27:15 +0000

If your clothes washer will not turn on make sure the power cord is plugged in and the cord is not faulty. If the clothes washer still will not switch on, then check the circuit breaker of fuse.

Oversudsing may cause leaks and blocked drains within the clothes washer. To reduce oversudsing when it takes place, pour ½ cup white vinegar mixed with cold water into the clothes washer.

If experience problems with the water temperature, make sure the faucets are fully open and there is enough hot water available. Also check to see if the screens in the inlet valve or hoses aren’t clogged.

If the washer will not spin or begins to shake, the problem is most likely that the load may be too bulky or out of balance. A quick fix for this is to try and remove some clothes or redistribute the load.

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common washing machine problems.

Problem: The washing machine won’t run

Cause:No power is reaching the outlet

Safety switch is tripped

Inlet hose valve isn’t open

Solution:Check the fuse box / circuit breaker

Distribute the clothes evenly and make sure the lid is closed

Open the inlet valve

Problem: The washing machine doesn’t fill with water

Cause:Filters are clogged

A kink in one of the hoses

Timer is not set

Solution:Check and lean the inlet hose filters

Straighten the water supply hose

Turn the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly

Problem: The water doesn’t stop running

Cause:Overflow swithch hose is disconnected

Overflow swithch is defective

Timer is defective

Solution:Replace the water hose

Check the switch and replace it

Replace the timer or call a qualified professional

Problem: The tub fills with water but machine doesn’t run

Cause:Lid safety switch is tripped

Too much laundry in the tub

Solution:Make sure the lid is closed. If it is, check the switch.

Take some things out and wait 15 minutes for the motor to reset

CAUTION: Before making any repairs, unplug the clothes washer and turn off the faucets.

Quick Fixes For Common Refrigerator Freezer Problems

Jim Adams — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 18:16:42 +0000

Quick fixes and tips for repairing common refrigerator and freezer problems.

Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, no sound can be beard and the light is out

Cause:

No power at the outlet

Power cord is damaged

Solution:

Check the fuse box / circuit breaker

Replace the cord

Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, the light is on and you hear occasional clicking

Cause:

Condenser coils are dirty

Condenser fan is defective

Defect in the thermostat

Solution:

Clean the coils with vacuum only

Check the fan (frost-free type)

Test the thermostat and replace it if necessary

Problem: The refrigerator constantly cycles on and off

Cause:

Defect in the compressor

Refrigerant is leaking

Condenser coils are dirty

Solution:

Call a qualified professional

Clean the coils with vacuum only