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How to clean your glass cooktop/range
If your kitchen is where you spend most of your time, then you are probably happier when it is spotless. Unlike gas ranges or cooktops these glass cooktops don’t have all these pieces to worry about cleaning. With you can clean the glass top with just the swipe of your dish cloth. It sounds simple but if you have noticed when cooking on these models that the smallest spill can leave a stain on it. You must be careful on what materials to use because using the wrong thing can cause scratches on the surface. The supplies you will need: baking soda, white vinegar in a spray bottle, gripped razor blade, towel, and microfiber cloth. First spray the vinegar on a cool surface, then you sprinkle some baking soda on top of the vinegar. This mixture should loosen any stains or crusted up food on the cooktop. Get your towel soaked in some hot water and place it on top of the cooktop. The stains should be loosened. While it’s still damp use the razor to remove the burned-on food. The last step is to spray another layer of vinegar and wipe dry with the microfiber towel.
There you go! The cooktop looks like new and it was cleaned with natural solutions.
Dryer Vent cleaning
One question a homeowner should ask is how often I should clean my dryer vent. 2900 homes from dryer fires are reported each year. That’s a cause for concern for your safety and not to mention property damage.
It all depends on how often you use your dryer. On average you should have it cleaned once every three to twelve months. If you do not use it often and have a smaller household the once a year should work. Larger households need it looked at several times a year. There are two types of venting, the first one is easy to maintain is the vent design that goes straight outside when the laundry room is near an exterior wall. The other design is tricky and needs constant monitoring. This design goes up through the attic and out to the roof. This is a longer run and is susceptible to getting clogged. Another factor to help these vent ducts from getting blocked is making sure you clean the lint filter inside the dryer after every use. This can build up over time and cause a restriction in the air flow. Not only is it a fire hazard but it will make your dryer less efficient. Say hello to more expensive energy bills because the dryer will run more than it should and still not dry the clothes. Effective dryer vent maintenance offers many helpful benefits: Extends the lifespan of the appliance, prevents fires, saves energy, shorter drying times, and complies with insurance inspection requirements.
My Icemaker Isn’t producing any Ice
What can be more frustrating when you get a glass and expect to fill it with ice and there isn’t any in your bin. Especially when its 100 degrees and you would like to get a refreshing and ice-cold beverage. What could be the problem? Here are a few tips to see if you can get it working again. First thing is to check if it is on. It could have been inadvertently turned off by mistake and an easy fix. Some problems are more underlying. Also check the wire connections to see if it wasn’t disconnected. After you checked the power options make sure the water supply is turned on and working properly. Check all water lines going into the freezer because they could be frozen and blocks it from getting to the icemaker. Make sure your filter is working. These filters are designed to take out impurities but will restrict water flow if not changed when recommended. Make sure the freezer temperature is 0 degrees or colder. The icemaker has a thermostat inside and will not make ice if the temperature is not optimal. Check for kinked water lines. Any movement of the fridge these lines could be damaged or kinked during that process. If you go through all these tips hopefully you can enjoy that beverage and get that off your to do list. If not, there could be mechanical problems and you will need to call a professional. Who else to call but On Premise Appliance Repair!
Cleaning mold on front load washer
Front load washing machines are known for being energy efficient, quiet, very gentle on clothes but one of the main complaints about them are the buildup of mold on the gasket. The design makes them susceptible to growing mold. The gasket used to prevent leaks makes a perfect hiding place for mold. As opposed to the old design of the top load washers, it doesn’t have the seal when closed and it gives the drum time in between loads to dry out and mold isn’t an issue. Soap suds, fabric softeners, cold wash cycles all play a part in keeping the mold around.
Here are some tips to help prevent smelly and molded gaskets. You can get a rag and spray some mildew cleaner on it and wipe the gasket thoroughly making sure you get in between the gaps as well. Most of these highly efficient washers come equipped with a sanitation cycle. This cycle is designed to be run empty with the addition of bleach or baking soda. Some preventative tips to keep mold away is you can try to dry out the drum after each use by keeping the door open while not in use. This is one of the most effective options to stop mold from growing. Try using an HE detergent and not use too much, this keeps the suds down and reduces the buildup of residue. Use bleach occasionally with a hot wash at least once or twice a month. If all these options fail, it might be too far gone and needs replacement. Call your local appliance experts at On Premise Appliance Repair to get the job done!
Why is my washer leaking water?
Are you concerned about the puddle of water you found in front of your washer? No need to panic all you need to do is look around and a few locations to see if you can find the problem. First make sure the water you see wasn't because of something that spilled, wipe up the water and run a cycle to see if it returns. If it doesn't return then problem solved, but if it comes back then you know there is something wrong with the washer. Now let's check and see what area the water is coming from first check the hoses in the back sometimes hoses can be loose or develop a crack in them. Next check the washer door or the soap dispenser if it is leaking from the door you may have a problem with your gasket if it's leaking from the soap dispenser in a high efficiency washer sometimes that can develop from using too much detergent. If you don't see any leaks externally there may be an internal leak. If you're handy you can take off the top panel of the washer and look at some of the common areas where a leak may occur. Some of the components may be locate at the lower part of the washer then more disassembly may be required. If neither these steps offer any solution for why your washer is leaking, then maybe it is time to schedule a service with a reputable appliance repair company. On Premise Appliance Repair is your number one shop, give us a call and we'll take care of the rest.
Dryer Not Heating?
There is nothing more frustrating than putting a load of clothes in the dryer and returning after the cycle has completed to find out they are still wet! If your dryer is not heating there are a few common reasons why, such as a clogged vent, tripped breaker, or no gas flow. Get your basic tools ready for this quick checklist to see if you can get things going again. Start by checking the easiest of the problems is power. The dryer could have been inadvertently unplugged or somehow the breaker has tripped. Next check the lint trap to see if there is any restriction in the airflow. You can also take off the rear panel in most dryers to access the fuses and thermostats. Using a multimeter to test all thermostats, fuses, and heaters for continuity. If this is not your forte, then it’s time to call a professional to take care of the job safely and efficiently. On Premise Appliance Repair can get your dryer heating in a hurry, call us today!
Choosing the best refrigerator style
If you are in the market for a new fridge for your new home or replacing an outdated and inefficient version, you will be facing a tough decision. In the refrigerator market, there are a vast array of types of fridges than there were years ago. Added features, different sizes, and the option of having top freezers, side by side, or bottom freezers. The list goes on and may have you wondering how I am going to decide.
Bottom Freezer design
This design is becoming very popular but cost more than the standard top freezer option. Some great features of this type are: The fridge section has more storage than top freezer models, easy access to refrigerated section, and freezer has slightly more space than the top freezer. Not so great features: Freezer section is still relatively small for a large family, no water or ice dispensing system, sometimes food packages fall behind drawer in freezer and cause door not to close properly.
Top Freezer design
This is the most common and the oldest type around. It is also the most cost efficient of them all. Features include very compact for smaller areas, very economical versus other expensive types, door hinges can be reversed. Not so great features: no bells and whistles, fridge section is lower and harder to access, no water and ice dispensing system.
French Door design
Very stylish option, large storage capabilities, several finish options. Features: Has adjustable shelves for large items, water and ice dispensing systems that include multiple ice makers, two refrigerator doors instead of one giant door. Not so great features: Very pricy, harder to maneuver, freezer section is still somewhat smaller.
Side by Side design
Separate design that is vertical and almost equal sections. Great for organizing freezer or refrigerator areas. Features: Easy freezer access and has the most space, water and ice dispensing system, several finish options. Not so great features: Fridge section has good size but not as much as French door, harder to store larger items, lower shelves require more bending.
Choosing the best style for your home and has the features you need depends on space. In some cases, there is an enclosed area for a refrigerator. If the fridge is too small, it just will not look great. If the space is not that big than some models will not fit the space. Lifestyle will impact your decision based on how much storage is needed and the size of your family.
Why is my washing machine not draining?
When your washing machine won’t drain, it’s likely there’s one of two problems going on. An object of foreign nature has made its way into your drain hose or your pump, or your pump is busted. The first thing we recommend is getting out the always handy dandy Use and Care Guide that came with your washing machine. If there’s an error code flashing on the unit, you’ll find all the detailed instructions on what to do.
If you’re pretty sure it’s the drain pump, you’ll need to call a professional out to check. It may be a good idea to remove the clothes and as much water as possible by hand before calling anyone out to work on the unit. This is where a good shop vac can save lots of time.
Here are a few quick tips to help keep this from happening in the future:
- Always empty the pockets of all shorts, pants, etc. and get a garment bag for your smalls.
- If you’ve used a low spin cycle, this tends to remove less water than a high-speed spin. Make sure to use the recommended cycle on your garment tag. If you need to remove extra water in the tub, select the spin cycle. At this point, the wet laundry may need to be rearranged for even distribution in the tub.
- You might not have loaded the washer as recommended. If you cram too many clothes in, the load will become unbalanced and the washer won’t spin correctly. This will indeed leave the contents soggier than normal. And sound like your washer is taking a heavy stroll across the laundry room!
- You may have used too much detergent. This can cause suds to slow or stop the draining and spinning altogether. It’s a good idea to measure and follow the instructions on the detergent container for each load of laundry. If you need to remove said extra suds, do a rinse / spin cycle. Do not add more detergent.
We’ll let you get back to Laundry Day festivities! If you need further assistance, please give us a shout and we’ll send one of our friendly, professional technicians out to give you a helping hand!
Why is my washer not filling with water?
A functioning washer in your home will make life easier but can become a hassle if it suddenly stops working properly. One of the most common problems is the lack of incoming water. There are a few steps to check before you want to call a pro. Check water supply, this could sound crazy but sometimes the water pressure could be cut off accidentally or a valve stops working. Another cause could be from a bad hose that has clogged up and stopped water flow to the washer. Next step to disconnect the hoses to see if the lint screen is clogged with gunk and other sediments. This can happen to either hot or cold lines and there is usually a filter connected to the inlet valve and these valves sometimes get blocked. This is an easy fix, just turn off the water supply and disconnect the hoses and remove anything you see blocking the flow. If these simple steps do not get the washer up and running again then there could be a part that has failed. The three most common parts to check in this case are: Bad lid switch, this is a safety switch that prevents the washer from running when the door is open. If the switch is bad the washer will think the door is ajar and will not start a cycle. Bad water level switch, this switch tells the washer to shut off water when the level is met. If this switch goes bad it could tell the machine not to fill. Bad water inlet valve, last but maybe the most common. This part is usually the culprit in this situation and is relatively easy to change out. If you are comfortable doing this repair just order the part online and install it. If not, you can always call On Premise Appliance Repair to get this repair done!
Why is the top of my dryer hot?
This could sound like a non-issue, but the top of the dryer should not be hot. Some may be warm but if its too hot to hold your hand on then there could be a problem with the ventilation or the dryer itself. One thing homeowner might tend to overlook is the importance of getting the vent duct checked on a yearly basis. Many problems begin with a clogged vent duct. It could be from accumulation of lint over years or birds nesting in the vent looking for a warm place. Some vents can be easily cleaned out if it goes straight out the side of the exterior wall, but others can be difficult because they run through the attic and out to the roof. The latter design should be checked more often and is more susceptible to getting clogged. A blocked vent will cause airflow to be restricted and cause the dryer to overheat and not dry the clothes efficiently. This can also cause damage to internal parts of the dryer such as a thermostat or fuse. If you have gotten the vent duct checked and the dryer is still hot, then it’s time to call a professional to look at the appliance. On Premise Appliance Repair will get the job done!
Appliance maintenance tip.
How to get rid of smelly odors from the dishwasher?
After a long day at work, you settle into your comfiest lounge pants and invoke your inner “Top Chef” to prepare dinner. Without realizing it, you have used every cooking utensil and preparation gadget you own on a single meal! Enter - the dishwasher.
Quickly you begin piling your trusty kitchen tools into the dishwasher, along with the other “after dinner casualties” - cups, plates, forks. But then you catch a whiff of something that smells like a troop of terrified skunks. “What is that smell?” you wonder. Suddenly, you realize the dishwasher, the contraption that is meant to CLEAN your dishes, is the source of your dismay.
Here are a few tips to help banish unpleasant odors in your dishwashers:
Start by checking your drain hose. This is a good place to begin, if the odor sticks around after a cycle. If there is standing water in the dishwasher’s bottom, it could be a sign of a clogged drain. Inspect the drain line from the garbage disposal and trace it to the back of the washer. You’ll need to pull the unit out in order to access the rear. Be sure to make sure there are no kinks in the line and that the air gap is not spewing water during the drain cycle.
Next, check your drain filter. Over time this filter can fill up with residue and other particles from food. There is usually a filter cap on the lower part of the dishwasher that can be easily removed. Take it out and rinse anything that you find inside it. Dirty drain filters are the leading cause of smelly odors.
Regular maintenance of your dishwasher can prevent unwanted orders and keep it doing what it does best - cleaning. Neutralize odors by periodically running your dishwasher on the shortest cycle with either two tablespoons of baking soda or a cup vinegar. Make sure that you have the machine set to heat dry. You can also find “dishwasher magic” at most home improvement stores.
That's it. You have completed dishwasher maintenance 101! Congrats!
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