When they’re working, appliances are modern marvels. They make life easier, cleaner, and safer for countless people all around the world. When they’re not working, they can be a major headache and can sometimes cause messes or even damage to your home. When an appliance breaks, it can be tricky to know what to do, but the following will attempt to alleviate some of that stress. Below you’ll find several common steps that you need to take if one of your appliances stops working.
Turn It Off And On Again
Provided it is safe to do so, turn the appliance off and then on again. It seems like a joke, but it isn’t; this solves far more problems than people care to admit. It is also the first thing a repair professional is going to do, so save yourself the embarrassment that can come along with someone fixing your problem with such a simple solution and test it out for yourself. If the appliance still isn’t working, you can move on to some of the steps below.
Check Your Breakers
Most appliances run on electricity, and if there’s a problem with an appliance, you’ll want to rule out that the issue isn’t actually with your electrical system. To do this, try plugging the device into a different outlet on a different circuit or check your breakers to see if a circuit has been blown. Sometimes several appliances are running at once, and this is too much strain for an electrical system in your home. If the microwave, hairdryer, and several other appliances are all running on the same circuit, the result can be a tripped breaker. If this is the case, simply reset your breaker. Once that’s done, rearrange your appliances, so the power usage is spread out more evenly.
Look At Your Warranty
Once you’re certain that the appliance itself is the issue, you’re going to want to look at your warranty situation. Furthermore, Texas home warranties emphasize that you want to look at your home warranty as well as any warranty that came with your appliance or device. If you have coverage, protection, or promises for repair, look into replacements or reimbursement options.
Hire A Repair Professional
If all else fails, call a local professional to come and take a look at the appliance. Sometimes you simply need a new part or something tightened. Always be sure to use trusted referrals or read online reviews critically before making your choice. Repair appliance scams do exist and can end up costing you a fair bit of money.
The above tips should help you address broken appliances in your home. Of course, if you smell something burning or if there are leaks, you need to be extra careful. Turn appliances off and leave the premises if you feel unsafe (especially if there is a combination of electricity and water present). Before buying appliances, it is a good idea to look at online forums and see if there are common issues that occur regularly in the appliance’s lifespan. This will help you make a better shopping decision and can help you address problems more quickly when they arise.
