Category: Blog

There’s nothing like coming home to a flooded laundry room to ruin your day! Whether its from a burst hose, a clogged drain or a deteriorated seal, washing machines can cause catastrophic water damage to your home. Regardless of the make or model of your appliance, all washing machines are susceptible to leaking.

Avoid costly water damage by taking these few simple measures:

1. Do not overuse detergent. Too much detergent can cause suds to overflow. Also, drain lines can become clogged.
2. Regularly inspect all washing machine parts and clean front loader door gaskets. Pumps and seals, for example, wear out and can fail over time or because of manufacturer defect.
3. Check connectors on a regular basis. Every time you operate your washing machine, those hose connections undergo a level of stress that can lead to problems.
4. Install a single level ball valve and an emergency water shutoff kits. Leaks can cause devastating damage to floors, walls and nearby appliances.
5. Turn off the water to your washer when you aren’t using it – perhaps when you are out of town.

If your washing machine does leak, turn off the washer hose valves as soon as you notice water anywhere around your washing machine. See if you can readily identify what is causing the leak. Lastly, call Westside Appliance Repair at 515-276-8899.

Make a New Years resolution to treat your appliances better in 2016. You could save money and the hassle of a broken appliance by performing a few easy maintenance tips.

REFRIGERATORS: The easiest way to maintain your refrigerator is simply to keep it clean, inside and out!

1. Clean under and behind your refrigerator regularly. It’s important to remove and clean your refrigerator’s base grill often to improve air flow to the appliance’s cooling components. Pay special attention to the coils at the bottom or behind your refrigerator! They need regular cleaning so the coils can efficiently cool the unit.
2. Wash the door seals. If the seals in your refrigerator doors are sticky, it’s time to clean them! Use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth to wash the seal. Once clean, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to make the seals last longer.
3. Don’t forget the ice dispenser! If your refrigerator has a built-in ice/water dispenser, you will need to clean that, too! The drip tray should be removed and cleaned at least every two to three months. Wash the ice bucket assembly once a month as well, so your ice doesn’t pick up refrigerator odors. Replace your fridge’s water filter at least every six months.

DISHWASHERS: A dishwasher can only clean your dishes well IF it is clean itself!

1. Fix the filter. Dishwashers that use a filter system are quieter and more energy efficient, but they also easily trap food and residue from your dirty dishes. Check and clean your filter regularly to prevent a buildup of food, pits, seeds and anything else that may be trapped in there.
2. Rinse out mineral deposits. Hard water is tough on dishwashers as mineral deposits can build up in the water holes in you dishwasher’s spray arm. An easy solution is to clean out the water jets with a toothpick. The water inlet valve can also clog, which prevents your dishwasher from getting the proper amount of hot water. Use a dishwasher cleaner such as Affresh to help remove some of the hard water deposits!

WASHING MACHINES: Top-loading washers require little (if any) home maintenance, but front-loading washers need more care!

1. Leave the washing machine door open. After you’ve completed a load of laundry, allow your unit to air out rather than trap in moisture, which could lead to mold and mildew problems. Using a washing machine cleaner, like Affresh, once a month will also help to keep your washing machine mold and mildew free!
2. Don’t overload it. Overloading your washer can wear out and break some of the machine’s components quicker than with typical usage. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maximum capacity so your washer will last longer!

DRYERS: You know you should empty the lint trap after every load… but there are several other  tips to follow to keep your dryer going strong.

1. Keep the exhaust vent clean. Clean your dryer’s exhaust vent at least once per year. Also check the outside air vent, too, to be sure your dryer vent is not clogged (the #1 cause of house fires in the U.S.!).
2. Make sure your dryer is level. If your dryer is tilting or hopping around while it works, then the components in your dryer’s drum will wear out quickly. By leveling your dryer, it will also sound a lot quieter than before!

Keep your appliances running longer in 2016! By giving them a little TLC, your appliances could even ring in 2017 with you. If you are starting the year off with a broken appliance, call Westside today at 515-276-8899!

The holidays are in full swing! The act of cooking big meals for your friends and family is often incorporated within your holiday traditions (along with eating said meals!). While your appliances are working overtime, be sure to pay attention to what is going on to avoid mistakes and consequential repairs.

Here are 5 tips to avoid a holiday appliance faux pas!

1. Decorating near the oven or stove

   If you are the type of person who has garland and paper snowflakes strung upon every surface of your house, you may want to skip decorating the kitchen! Avoid any decorations within the a few feet of the stove and oven. Both these appliances are extremely hot while turned on, and they can ignite your pretty decorations and may start a house fire!

2. Storing items inside the oven

   You might need a new oven before the end of the year if you store items inside it on a regular basis! In many cases, you might forget about the pans, pots or other items being stored inside the oven. Preheating the oven with these items inside will only result in melted or charred conditions. Find space for your holiday dishes outside the over for safe cooking.

3. Forgetting to clean out those fabrics

   Be extra careful about checking the laundry for holiday items before washing and drying them. Holiday crafts and candy can easily be overlooked in pockets, for example. All of these items will clog washers and melt against the dryer’s surfaces. Shake out all of your fabrics before washing them, and you should be able to avoid any damages to your appliance.

4. Cooking with the Microwave

   Microwaves are best for reheating food, not cooking food. Microwave manufacturers advertise that their products can cook an entire holiday meal, but it’s not ideal. food pops and damages the microwave’s interior when cooking for a long time. Instead, use your oven and stovetop for big meals!

5. Blocking Your Exhaust Openings

   Your home could be full of smoke with significant damage to the oven or stove when exhaust openings are blocked. Before you start cooking, check your system’s exhaust ports. They may be located on an exterior wall or rooftop. Keep these openings clear, and you’ll avoid more damage to your appliance during the holiday.

From all of us here at Westside, have a wonderful holidays and a happy New Year! To give the gift of appliance repair or parts, call us at 515-276-8899.

October is Fire Prevention Month! In 2009, a house fire was reported every 87 seconds. Built-up lint is extremely flammable, and if you haven’t cleaned your dryer vent in the past year, you are at risk!

Here are some quick dryer safety tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association:

• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
• Make sure you clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry. Remove lint that has collected around the drum.
• Rigid or flexible metal venting material should be used to sustain proper air flow and drying time.
• Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating. Once a year, or more often if you notice that it is taking longer than normal for your clothes to dry, clean lint out of the vent pipe or have a dryer lint removal service do it for you.
• Keep dryers in good working order. Gas dryers should be inspected by a professional to make sure that the gas line and connection are intact and free of leaks.
• Make sure the right plug and outlet are used and that the machine is connected properly.
• Follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions and don’t overload your dryer.
• Turn the dryer off if you leave home or when you go to bed.

Keep yourself, your loved ones and your belongings safe! Through November, Westside will clean your dryer vent for $119 (originally $139).