There are many appliances in our homes that we consider non-negotiable. Our home needs these items to survive, and we couldn’t imagine living without them. However, sometimes these appliances will have problems, which can lead us to question whether or not we should continue to use it. This decision is often difficult because we have developed a sense of loyalty towards our appliances. Taking the steps to fix your appliance instead of buying a new one can save you money while also saving the environment from all of that extra plastic, copper and other materials from an appliance you’re never going to truly use again. I know you don’t want to throw away your blender or take out the trash with a leaky garbage disposal, but believe me — these four tips will help you get there!
1.Turn off the power to the appliance
Turn off the power to the appliance. This is an important step, and if you don’t do it, you could cause serious injury to yourself and others if something goes wrong while you’re tinkering with it. If you’re not sure whether power is on, check for a switch. If there isn’t one, flip the breaker or unplug the appliance from the wall outlet.
2. Inspect the cord and connections
The second thing you’ll want to do is unplug the appliance. It’s important to examine the electrical cord itself for any obvious damage. If there are cracks or tears in the outer coating of the cord, or if there are exposed wires, this could lead to dangerous electrocution. Stop using the appliance immediately and contact a professional for help.
While most people know to check for physical damage, it’s also good to look at how the cord is connected to the appliance itself. You can usually see little metal clamps on either end of an extension cord that connect it to another piece of equipment. On these clamps, you’ll find screws or bolts that can be turned with the right tool. These serve as a sort of lock mechanism; they hold the cord firmly in place and make sure it doesn’t accidentally disconnect during use. A lot of people don’t realize that these clamps have to be loosened before use—you can’t just plug your appliance in as soon as you get it out of its box! You should also make sure they’re tightened back up when you’re finished.
3. Clean up any broken parts
When you have an appliance that’s not working, the best next step is to clean up any broken parts. This might seem obvious, but when dealing with parts of a machine, it’s easy to forget that mechanical things can get dirty. If the problem is that a belt won’t turn the drum or if something is jamming up the gears, then you might want to go ahead and change it: belts are inexpensive and easy to find online or at a hardware store, and you can always find a replacement part for most other things on eBay or Amazon. But if it seems that it’s actually just an issue with the machine not being plugged in or turned on, then you should check your outlets for power: if that’s the problem, then all you have to do is flip a switch. Other problems might be as simple as dust in the motor, which could be solved by a little vacuuming or brushing out of vents. Whether you’re dealing with electrical or mechanical issues, sometimes all you need to fix your appliances is just some extra attention and care. If cleaning up broken parts doesn’t work, then it’s time to figure out what else could be wrong.
4. Repair or replace old wires
With old appliances, it’s a good idea to check the wiring before you attempt to repair anything else. In some cases, it might cost less to replace an appliance than it would be to repair the wiring, or you might discover that the wiring is too far gone for any repairs to work. On top of that, if you have any safety concerns about your home’s electrical systems, you should hire a professional electrician to check things out both for your safety and so the issue isn’t misdiagnosed.
To find out whether to repair or replace an appliance, look for these signs: -The plug doesn’t fit tightly into the outlet. If there’s room for even a small amount of movement between the prongs on your appliance’s plug and outlet, it could mean that the wires are loose in their sockets. This is an easy fix—you can just twist them back into place—but they may not stay put forever.
