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In the past, household chores used to be a full-time job. It would take hours to wash clothes, thoroughly clean dishes, heat water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning, and so much more. However, thanks to modern appliances, tasks that used to take hours to complete can now be done automatically and in only a small fraction of the time. The average household today now depends on several common appliances, including:

  • Dishwasher
  • Washing machine
  • Automatic dryer
  • Water heater
  • Heating and cooling system
  • Refrigerator/freezer
  • Stove/range
  • Oven

While all of these appliances are constructed to be durable, dependable, and long-lasting, maintenance can go a long way toward preserving them and keeping them working for as long as possible. Nobody wants to have to pay the hundreds or even thousands of dollars needed to completely replace an appliance unless they absolutely have to, and maintenance can make sure that you won’t have to for considerably longer than an appliance that doesn’t receive regular attention.

Here are a few valuable tips for how to maintain and preserve some of the most important appliances throughout your home.

Water Heater

Water heaters have an average lifespan of around eight years, and the bad news is that even with proper maintenance they generally don’t last too much longer than around ten. Water slowly corrodes and wears away at the metal lining of your tank, resulting in leaks that are impossible to seal without completely tearing apart your water heater and ruining it. The best way to prevent this from happening is to carefully and regularly check it for any signs of wear and tear and to regularly flush out your tank to remove any built-up dirt and sediment from the tank. Flushing the tank is something that you can do yourself, but we advise having it done professionally if you aren’t comfortable working with hot water or adjusting your water heater’s controls.

Heating & Cooling System

Heating and cooling systems are appliances that you may depend on more than any other (except for maybe your water heater). They’re also one of the most expensive to replace and use more energy than anything else in your home too. So maintenance not only helps preserve these appliances but actually helps them use less energy as well (thus, saving you money).

We strongly recommend at least one professional maintenance service per year for your heating and cooling system, but believe the ideal system receives two professional inspections per year: one in spring for your air conditioner and the second in fall for your heater. This small investment can go a long way toward keeping your air conditioner and heater working well all year long.

Stove/Range

If you want to keep your stove or range working smoothly all year long, cleaning is key. If you have a gas-powered stove, clean the burners regularly to ensure they’re free from any residue or buildup that can accumulate after months of repeated use. If you have an electric stove, remove the heating elements and clean them with an all-surface cleaner. Make sure they’re completely clean and all cleaner is removed before you turn them back on again.

For your oven, cleaning the heating element also helps ensure that the oven lasts longer and is more efficient. This can be done in two different ways: if you have a self-cleaning oven, run the self-cleaning program. If not, use an oven cleaner and scrub vigorously to remove all traces of residue that can cause your oven to wear out or smell strange.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators have completely changed the way we buy, keep, and cook food. With the ability to keep food cold and safe, we can buy more, save what we buy for later, and even save uneaten food for later with the ability to prevent it from spoiling. But how can you keep your refrigerator working longer and keep it energy-efficient? Cleaning is one way, but so can arranging your refrigerator properly. Find where your refrigerator dumps cold air into the unit and keep that area clear of food or taller objects that might get in the way. This will keep your entire refrigerator cooler and prevent it from having to run as long or as often.

Washer & Dryer

Keeping your washer and dryer working smoothly is extremely important, and also easier than you may have ever thought. For your washer, make sure that both of your hoses are in good condition with a regular inspection. Replace any hoses that are showing signs of wear and tear or cracking, as they may spring a leak that can cause serious damage to your home. For your dryer, have your dryer’s vent regularly inspected and cleaned to remove any lint or debris buildup that could combust when exposed to particularly hot air.

Got a broken appliance that needs to be repaired? Trust Carter Services to get it working again! Dial (310) 872-1898 now to schedule your appliance repair service.

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