As appliance technicians, we get calls for all different types of repairs. Repairs range from small fixes such as tightening a screw or reconnecting a hose, to big projects like complete rebuilds or replacements of control boards. Customers and technicians alike love first-time completions so here are 4 common customer complaints and some tips that can lead you towards a quick fix.
Customer Complaint: Front Load Washer Has Bad Smell or Not Cleaning Correctly
Some common complaints with front load washers that appliance repair technicians get all that time is that they are not cleaning correctly and they are producing a weird odor.
Here are our golden rules…
Prop the Door Open for the Machine to Breath
Front load washers need to breathe! It is recommended that the door be left open so it can air out.
Confirm the Detergent the Customer Uses
Smells can be coming out of the washer because the customer may be using TOO MUCH soap. Soap can build up and produce a stale or dewey smell.
You may want to recommend that the customer switch to a high-efficiency (HE) soap if they are not already using one. Regular soap can cause over soaping, which in turn causes soap scum.
Clean The Machine
Run an empty cycle in the washing machine with hot water, two cups of white vinegar and a half-cup of baking soda to remove the smell. For more instructions on how to clean a front-loading washing machine check out this how-to guide from Architectural Digest.
There are also cleaning tablets such as Affresh Machine Cleaner that are specifically designed for use in front-load washers to help with mildew and smell. Again, to prevent future odors, leave the door open between washes to let the machine dry out.
Customer Complaint: Loud Noises and Temperature Fluctuations in Refrigerators
Loud noise coming from the back of the fridge or compressor can have a very simple cause and a similarly simple fix! In fact, this symptom can also affect temperatures in the fridge. Not only are your drinks less cold, but your food may be in the temperature danger zone which can lead to spoiling.
Cleaning The Coils
In many cases, the fridge does not need repair work, it just needs to be cleaned. Or, to be more specific, the coils on the back of the fridge need cleaning.
Simply unplug the appliance and pull it out from the wall before giving the coils a thorough vacuuming. For more specifics on how to clean refrigerator coils, check out this tutorial by GE.
Why This Works
The purpose of the condenser coils is to dissipate heat from the fridge. If the coils are dirty this is likely causing your compressor to run continuously creating a loud noise and higher temperatures in your refrigerator.
Customer Complaint: Dishwasher Not Draining
Have you ever had a dishwasher that is not draining the water completely? This can be a simple fix without even pulling the dishwasher out!
Cleaning
If your dishwasher is not draining properly this may be because of food particles stuck in your drain line. Most dishwasher drain lines connect to an air gap. All you will need to do is remove the cap and clear the line.
Talk To Your Customer
Always ask the customer if they have recently installed a garbage disposal. If they did, a lot of the time the installer may have forgotten to knock out the plug for the drainage line, which can cause the water to not drain properly.
Customer Complaint: Gas Stove Not Igniting
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your igniters are not igniting? Do you keep hearing them click but there is no spark? This can be a simple fix!
Alignment
First, make sure your burner cap is in place and properly aligned. You may also experience this if you’ve had a recent boil over or spill on your stovetop. If the burner cap and burner head are wet it may not be properly grounded therefore it will not be able to spark.
Cleaning
Another thing that is likely to cause issues is a dirty igniter. To clean, remove the burner cap and wipe away any debris. You can also use a metal pin to pick debris from the grooves. If you look straight down you can use that same pin to clear to orifice. If the gas can not travel up it won’t be able to spark.
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