Do’s and Definite Don’ts of Appliance Repair

The first step in appliance repair is simple: Check the warranty.

Most manufacturers provide free service on their products for a year or more, a benefit that you may forfeit if you undertake a repair yourself. If a broken appliance is still under warranty, let the manufacturer repair it.

Service contracts are also available from some companies. Although a service contract can be expensive, it’s an option to consider if the appliance is used heavily and you’d rather not tackle big repairs.

If you have neither a warranty nor a service contract, you might try fixing the appliance yourself. Many repairs are simple enough for a layperson with a little patience. Many appliance problems are caused by a single component or connection.

The Simplest Fix

Large appliances like washers and dryers can sometimes be the simplest to fix; they are designed to be taken apart, and the most serviceable components are usually accessible. Inexpensive small appliances, however, are sometimes designed to be discarded, not repaired. Manufacturers may discourage repairs by sealing the housing or assembling it with fasteners that require special tools for removal.

Not all appliances with serviceable parts can or should be repaired by their owners. Some manufacturers place a label on the appliance warning that repairs should be undertaken only at an authorized service center. Even though you may be able to open the appliance, you may not be able to buy the parts to repair it.

Don’t take an appliance apart unless you have to. Start by looking for the obvious: Is the machine unplugged? Is the circuit breaker off or the fuse blown? Are you using the appliance improperly? Are the power cord and plug in good condition? Then check the owner’s manual for maintenance and trouble-shooting tips.

When Removing Parts

If you must take apart an appliance, remove as few parts as possible. If you remove a part, mark connecting wires with tape or sketch their alignment. Don’t tamper with calibrated devices like thermostats, particularly if their adjusting screws are secured with a drop of plastic as a reminder to leave them alone.

Here are more tips:

* Before testing or repairing an appliance, unplug it. If you can’t unplug it, turn off the power to the circuit at your home’s main service panel.

* If you receive a shock when touching an appliance, disconnect the power immediately.

* Never move an appliance connected to a gas or water line without disconnecting it from the supply pipe.

* Never light a match near a malfunctioning combustion appliance, such as a gas dryer, stove or furnace. If you smell gas, don’t turn on the lights; a small spark in an outlet box could trigger an explosion. Instead, shut off the gas, open the windows and call the gas company from a neighbor’s house.

* Never circumvent built-in safety devices.

* Discharging a capacitor is a critical safety measure before working on a motor. If you don’t know how to discharge a capacitor, read up on how to do it or refer the repair to a specialist.

* Don’t run an appliance with the access panel removed unless absolutely necessary. Avoid moving parts. Don’t touch electrical terminals.

* Beware of sharp metal edges when removing service panels or reaching inside an appliance.