3 Questions:
Home Appliance Issues with
Whidbey Appliance Service

Every month, we seek to bring our readers insight from the worlds of home construction, home repair, and home maintenance straight from local Northwest Washington contractors in a segment we call “3 Questions.” Yep, you guessed it: we ask three questions, and the contractors answer them.
 
This month, we learn about appliance maintenance issues with Travis Marth, owner at Whidbey Appliance Service in Oak Harbor.
 
Most of us take our kitchen appliances for granted, giving them little-to-no maintenance attention other than surface cleaning.  Do you have any recommendations and tips homeowners can employ to better maintain their appliances?
 
Q1: Dishwasher?
Most dishwashers have a screen filter in the base of the dishwasher that can be pulled out and cleaned once every six months or so.  In hard water situations, the screen will need to be scrubbed. I highly recommend a whole house water softener in hard-water situations. It will reduce service calls for the dishwasher not cleaning well.
 
Q2:  Refrigerator?
The best advice I can give on the refrigerator is to make sure that the seal and the frame of the refrigerator where the seal touches is kept clean.  I have had to replace several torn seals over the years because of the seal getting stuck to the frame and tearing. The coils on the refrigerator should be vacuumed about once a year, especially if pets that shed are in the home.  Keeping the coils clean allows the refrigerator to cool more efficiently.
 
Q3:  Range-Oven?
Today's range-ovens often have a hidden bake element, so keeping the bottom of the oven clean is much easier than in the past.  If catching drips is desired while baking, I recommend putting a cookie sheet on the lowest rack in the oven where food can drip.  Do not put foil on the bottom of the oven; it will crack the porcelain oven floor and allow it to rust.
 
Q4: Hood vent?
Keeping your vent screens clean is the best way to keep your vent operating well for many years.  The screens can be pulled out and washed in the dishwasher. I suggest boiling some water on the stovetop, allowing the steam to loosen the grease. This will make it easier to wipe clean.
 
About Whidbey Appliance Service 
Whidbey Appliance Service started in 1994 and offers repair for all major appliances, including refrigerators, washers and dryers, cooktops, ranges, freezers, dishwashers, and microwaves. The company is fully bonded and licensed and provides professional appliance repair and service to residents of Whidbey Island and Anacortes.  All repairs are guaranteed for a full 90 days for parts and labor. For more information, visit https://www.whidbeyas.com/.
 
A big “thanks” to Travis for his responses!

If you have questions or comments about insulation issues or home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).