Rich's Appliance Service
206-618-7314
Appliance Repair Tips & Videos
Try these handy tips for fixing common problems with household appliances and to keep them working for years to come. If none of these tips solve your problem then call Rich's Appliance Service for a service appointment, 206-618-7314. Service appointments start at $50.00. A problem with an appliance that was purchased after 2010, most likely has a computer in it. Computers have helped in many ways, but not in major appliances. The first thing to do is to disconnect power to the appliance for at least 60 seconds. If it works after that, you're good. If not give me a call.
Watch these videos, you may save yourself some money.
REFRIGERATOR REPAIR TIPS
If your refrigerator is not running cold enough....
1.Turn the thermostat up to the next highest setting. If it comes on, let it run for 24 hours and check temperature to confirm it is working properly.
2. Clear/remove anything blocking the air flow around the outside of the refrigerator (on top, underneath, behind, beside, in front of, etc.). Allow 3" of clearance all the way around.
3. If there are condenser coils on the rear of the box, make sure the box is several inches from the wall and that nothing is on top at the rear, blocking the heat from coming off the coils.
4. If the condenser coils are underneath the refrigerator, clean the coils with a vaccum cleaner thoroughly at least twice a year.
5. Refrigerator coils located underneath the refrigerator should be cleaned annually.
6. Refrigerators that run constantly can indicate improper functioning due to low refrigerant level, a dirty condenser coil, a malfunctioning seal, or improper air flow.
7. Defrost your No-Frost refrigerator. If you see frost on the back wall of your freezer compartment, (look closely), you have a defrost problem. Take your fingernail and scrape it across the back wall of the freezer. Any frost you have a defrost problem. Call Rich's Appliance Service at 206-618-7314. If defrosting your freezer fixes your problem it will work fine for 2 to 4 weeks until your evaporator freezes up again.
If the door is sticking or not closing properly...
1. Wipe off the face of the gasket with a warm wet rag and make sure the interior shelves, drawers and food are not preventing the door from closing from the inside.
Watch the video below to see how to clean the condensor coils on your refrigerator. You should clean them twice a year.
Watch these videos, you may save yourself some money.
REFRIGERATOR REPAIR TIPS
If your refrigerator is not running cold enough....
1.Turn the thermostat up to the next highest setting. If it comes on, let it run for 24 hours and check temperature to confirm it is working properly.
2. Clear/remove anything blocking the air flow around the outside of the refrigerator (on top, underneath, behind, beside, in front of, etc.). Allow 3" of clearance all the way around.
3. If there are condenser coils on the rear of the box, make sure the box is several inches from the wall and that nothing is on top at the rear, blocking the heat from coming off the coils.
4. If the condenser coils are underneath the refrigerator, clean the coils with a vaccum cleaner thoroughly at least twice a year.
5. Refrigerator coils located underneath the refrigerator should be cleaned annually.
6. Refrigerators that run constantly can indicate improper functioning due to low refrigerant level, a dirty condenser coil, a malfunctioning seal, or improper air flow.
7. Defrost your No-Frost refrigerator. If you see frost on the back wall of your freezer compartment, (look closely), you have a defrost problem. Take your fingernail and scrape it across the back wall of the freezer. Any frost you have a defrost problem. Call Rich's Appliance Service at 206-618-7314. If defrosting your freezer fixes your problem it will work fine for 2 to 4 weeks until your evaporator freezes up again.
If the door is sticking or not closing properly...
1. Wipe off the face of the gasket with a warm wet rag and make sure the interior shelves, drawers and food are not preventing the door from closing from the inside.
Watch the video below to see how to clean the condensor coils on your refrigerator. You should clean them twice a year.
STOVE REPAIR TIPS
Electric - If your burners are not heating...
1. Make sure they are sitting straight in their proper positions.
Electric - If your oven is not heating...
1. Make sure the clock is set on manual cycle and not the automatic time bake cycle.
Gas - If the top burners are not lighting...
1. Wipe off the burner with a hot, damp rag and then dry completely. If the burner base lifts off you may need to soak it in hot soapy water to clean out the hole where the gas comes in. Some screws may need to be removed to take the base off. If your ignitor clicks and you see a spark the hole may be plugged with grease, this is a common problem.
The base looks like the picture below.
Electric - If your burners are not heating...
1. Make sure they are sitting straight in their proper positions.
Electric - If your oven is not heating...
1. Make sure the clock is set on manual cycle and not the automatic time bake cycle.
Gas - If the top burners are not lighting...
1. Wipe off the burner with a hot, damp rag and then dry completely. If the burner base lifts off you may need to soak it in hot soapy water to clean out the hole where the gas comes in. Some screws may need to be removed to take the base off. If your ignitor clicks and you see a spark the hole may be plugged with grease, this is a common problem.
The base looks like the picture below.
Gas - If your oven is not heating...
1. Make sure the clock is set on the manual and not the automatic cycle.
2. Raise up the top and keep the area clean and free of grease build-up.
DISHWASHER REPAIR TIPS
If the dishes are not getting clean...
1. Make sure the water is hot enough. It should be at least 140 degrees, which is hot enough to burn you - VERY HOT! If it is not hot enough, turn the hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting.
2. Make sure the lower spray arm is unobstructed and turning freely.
3. Make sure the bottom inside the dishwasher is clean and free of debris.
4. Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures. Use the proper amount of detergent and make sure the detergent is fresh (check expiration or "best if used by" date.
5. Mold may grow in your dishwasher if you use it infrequently. The mold can be removed by using the normal dishwasher detergent and running the dishwasher, preferably without any dishes.
Dishwasher maintenance watch this video:
Is your dishwasher not draining? Watch this video.
1. Make sure the clock is set on the manual and not the automatic cycle.
2. Raise up the top and keep the area clean and free of grease build-up.
DISHWASHER REPAIR TIPS
If the dishes are not getting clean...
1. Make sure the water is hot enough. It should be at least 140 degrees, which is hot enough to burn you - VERY HOT! If it is not hot enough, turn the hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting.
2. Make sure the lower spray arm is unobstructed and turning freely.
3. Make sure the bottom inside the dishwasher is clean and free of debris.
4. Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures. Use the proper amount of detergent and make sure the detergent is fresh (check expiration or "best if used by" date.
5. Mold may grow in your dishwasher if you use it infrequently. The mold can be removed by using the normal dishwasher detergent and running the dishwasher, preferably without any dishes.
Dishwasher maintenance watch this video:
Is your dishwasher not draining? Watch this video.
DRYER REPAIR TIPS
If the clothes are not getting dry or taking longer than usual...
1. Make sure the dryer is not pushed back against the rear exhaust duct causing an air flow restriction.
2. Make sure the clothes are coming out of the washer spun damp dry. If the washer is not spinning the clothes damp dry, the dryer will not dry the clothes in a normal amount of time.
3. Turning your clothes inside out and using the delicate cycle can reduce the pilling effect on certain fabrics.
4. Cleaning the dryer filter before each load increases the efficiency of the machine and decreases the chance of fire.
Tech Tip - Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
Tech Tip - Never overload the dryer.
Is your dryer taking a long time to dry the clothes? Watch This!
I have put links to two videos below . One to show you the dangers of dryer lint build-up, and the other to show you how to clean your dryer of lint.
WASHER REPAIR TIPS
If machine is dead... 1. Make sure the lid is closed properly.
2. Make sure the timer and all of the controls are set properly.
3. Make sure both water faucets are turned on.
Tech Tip - Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
Tech Tip - Never overload the machine.
Tech Tip - If you have a front-load washer, leave the door open a bit when not in use,
it will prevent mold and mildew smell.
Maintenance video for washers.
Whirlpool Duet Front Load Washer Does Not Drain:
If machine is dead... 1. Make sure the lid is closed properly.
2. Make sure the timer and all of the controls are set properly.
3. Make sure both water faucets are turned on.
Tech Tip - Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
Tech Tip - Never overload the machine.
Tech Tip - If you have a front-load washer, leave the door open a bit when not in use,
it will prevent mold and mildew smell.
Maintenance video for washers.
Whirlpool Duet Front Load Washer Does Not Drain:
Maintenance Video For Washers. Click the link below.