Ever had your fridge quit on you in the middle of a heat wave? Or opened the dishwasher only to find your plates still crusted with last night’s dinner? If you’ve owned appliances long enough, chances are you’ve had at least one of those frustrating moments—probably at the worst possible time.
While some breakdowns are just bad luck, a lot of the most common appliance problems can be prevented with a little attention and care. Let’s walk through some of the top repairs homeowners face—and what you can do right now to dodge them. No tech degree needed. Just real-world tips to help you get the most out of your machines.
1. The Warm Fridge That Ruined Your Groceries
You know that sinking feeling when you open the fridge and your milk is warm? One of our customers once told us how their fridge died the night before a long weekend. By the time they noticed, everything—from the eggs to the leftovers—had gone bad.
More often than not, the problem starts with something simple: dirty condenser coils. When these get clogged with dust and pet hair, the fridge can’t cool efficiently. Another common culprit? Worn-out door seals letting all the cold air escape.
What You Can Do:
- Pull the fridge away from the wall twice a year and give the coils a good cleaning. You’ll be shocked at what collects back there.
- Run your fingers along the door gasket. If it feels loose or cracked, it’s time to replace it.
- Try not to overpack the fridge. Air needs room to move around, or things won’t stay evenly cool.
A few small checks like these can help you avoid losing hundreds in spoiled food—and save you from last-minute grocery runs. If your fridge is already struggling to stay cold or making strange noises, it might be time to look into a professional fridge repair service before it completely breaks down.
2. The Washer That Leaves Your Clothes in a Soggy Pile
You load up the laundry, hit start, and an hour later, your clothes are still swimming. No spin, no drain. Just a heavy, wet mess. It usually happens when you’re already behind on laundry (because, of course, it does).
Clogs in the drain filter or hose are a top reason why washers stop spinning properly. And if you’ve got kids, you’ve probably found a sock, coin, or even a crayon lodged somewhere it shouldn’t be.
What You Can Do:
- Most washers have a drain trap you can access from the front—check it monthly for lint, hairpins, or whatever else might’ve snuck in.
- Use the right detergent, especially for high-efficiency (HE) washers. Too many suds = unhappy machine.
- After each load, leave the door ajar. It helps air things out and prevents mildew from turning your washer into a moldy mess.
You don’t have to wait until your washer throws a tantrum. A quick check here and there can keep laundry day moving smoothly. And if your washer’s already giving you trouble—making strange noises, refusing to spin, or leaking water—it might be time to bring in the pros. You can always count on our team for washer repair service that’s fast, professional, and friendly.
3. The Dishwasher That Pretends to Wash Dishes
Here’s a classic: You open the dishwasher, expecting sparkling plates, but instead, you find dried food, foggy glasses, and maybe a spoon with mystery sauce still on it. Gross.
This usually isn’t because the dishwasher is “done for.” It’s often just fighting a losing battle against food particles, greasy filters, and blocked spray arms.
What You Can Do:
- Clean the filter (yes, it has one!) at least once a month. Most people don’t realize it’s there until they smell something funky.
- Check the spray arms for tiny bits of food. Use a toothpick or pin to clear them out.
- Run a cup of vinegar on the top rack once a month to break down grease and hard water buildup.
A few minutes of upkeep can help your dishwasher do its actual job and save you from re-washing everything by hand.
4. The Dryer That Never Quite Gets It Done
You’ve run it twice, and your jeans are still damp. Or worse—everything’s hot except the towels, which are still soggy in the middle. A slow dryer can waste hours of your day, not to mention bump up your power bill.
The biggest issue? Lint. It doesn’t just get caught in the trap. It builds up in the vent hose, and that slows down airflow—sometimes dangerously. Dryer fires from lint buildup are more common than people think.
What You Can Do:
- Clean the lint trap every single time. It takes five seconds and makes a huge difference.
- At least once a year, unplug the dryer, pull it out, and vacuum the vent hose and exhaust duct. (Or call someone to do it—it’s worth it.)
- Don’t overload it. When clothes can’t tumble, they can’t dry properly.
Staying on top of this not only keeps your dryer working better—it also makes your home safer.
5. The Oven That Bakes… Weirdly
You put in a tray of cookies; half are burnt while the other half are raw. Or your roast comes out dry on one side and pink on the other. An uneven oven isn’t just annoying—it can ruin dinner and your mood.
Often, it’s because the heating element is failing or the temperature sensor is misreading things. Sometimes, it’s just grime interfering with the heat.
What You Can Do:
- Next time the oven is on, look at the element. It should glow evenly. Are there dark spots or flickering? It might be time for a new one.
- If your oven is running too hot or too cool, many have a calibration option in the settings.
- Wipe up spills right away. Baked-on mess can smoke and affect heat flow.
A clean, evenly heated oven makes cooking a whole lot more predictable—and less stressful.
6. The Microwave That’s Lost Its Spark
You pop in a bowl of soup and hit start, and nothing happens. Or it runs, but the food stays cold. Microwaves can stop heating for a few reasons, usually tied to the magnetron, door switch, or internal fuses. But a lot of people don’t realize that how you use it affects how long it lasts.
What You Can Do:
- Never run it empty. That’s one of the fastest ways to burn out the internal parts.
- Don’t slam the door. Those little clicks you hear? That’s the door latch switches being triggered. They’re sensitive.
- Wipe it down after each use. Food splatters not only smell—they can affect the microwave’s performance.
It’s an easy appliance to take for granted, but a little care goes a long way.
Bottom Line: Small Habits = Longer Life for Your Appliances
Appliances don’t need to be high maintenance. But they do need some attention. Just like a car needs oil changes and tire checks, your home appliances last longer and work better with a few simple habits.
Most of these tips take just minutes, but they can save you hundreds in repairs and hours of frustration.
If Things Do Go Wrong…
Sometimes, things break, no matter how well you treat them. When that happens, ARS Appliance Repair Service is just a call away. We’ve helped thousands of families across the GTA get their machines back up and running—quickly, professionally, and without the stress.
Visit www.appliancesrepairservice.ca to book a repair or chat with a technician. We’re here when you need us.
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