DIY Appliance Repair
Appliance Repair Gone Wrong: Why DIY Appliance Repair Can Cost More in the Long Run
When a home appliance malfunctions, you might consider searching Google for a DIY solution. However, as tempting as DIY is, doing so could make for more problems for you in the future. DIY repair risks are higher than many people realize.
Before diving in, you should know how improper repairs shorten appliance lifespan and put your equipment at risk of misdiagnosed appliance repair issues. Doing your own repairs in Phoenix can also be hazardous to your health and end up costing you more money, long-term. Choose Appliance Care & Repair for fast, safe appliance repairs.
DIY Appliance Repairs vs Professional Service
Sometimes, a DIY fix can save both time and money if you know exactly what the problem is and what caused it. But those without prior experience fixing household appliances risk an appliance repair mistake that creates more problems than it solves.
Professional repair technicians from ACR have both formal training and a significant amount of on-the-job experience shadowing other industry professionals. In fact, they will be able to diagnose the problem, offer a solution, explain why the appliance failed, and examine the overall health of the appliance. If there is another underlying issue that caused the initial failure, you won’t catch it with DIY work. And that means more repairs down the line.
Additionally, professional appliance repairs from ACR technicians come with warranties covering both our labor and the parts we install. Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Queen Creek customers benefit significantly from this extra security.
The Hidden Costs of DIY Appliance Repairs
DIY appliance repairs may seem fairly straightforward, but most Phoenix homeowners do not have the necessary skills to safely and effectively repair appliances. Numerous challenges and risks can arise when doing your own appliance repairs. These can range from inconvenient to actual appliance repair safety issues.
For example, you might struggle with:
Access to Parts and Tools
Before you even begin working to repair your dishwasher, dryer, or stove, you will need to find the correct tools and parts to do the job. Maybe your stove’s heating element is broken, and you need to find a replacement. You could spend hours hunting through hardware stores and eBay listings before you find what you need. Then maybe you need to locate a voltage tester or other specialized tool in order to do the job safely. All these steps require a lot of time and energy.
Ineffective Repairs
By the time you figure out the repair and finish up, it’s probably taken hours, and you’re frustrated. Still, at least you got it fixed, right? Maybe not. Amateur repairs are much less likely to hold up under everyday use. It’s easy to tighten a part too little or too much, install something backwards, or miss a critical step. It’s also very possible that you missed an underlying cause of the appliance’s malfunction, and you fixed the wrong thing. Appliance repair mistakes lead to machines quickly breaking down again.
Financial Loss
If your repair doesn’t hold up, you’ve wasted money on parts and tools you’ll never use again. Plus, you want your appliance back in action, so you must pay the cost to fix the DIY repair damage. Even if an expert can undo any damage done, you still need to pay for their time and any parts they use. Even worse, if your appliance is beyond repair, you have to spend money to buy a replacement.
Personal Harm
Unless you know exactly how to fix an appliance, it’s very easy to get electrocuted or burned. An unfamiliar tool might slip, and you could cut or bruise yourself or damage the appliance. It’s also possible to accidentally cause a gas leak if you’re trying to repair a gas-powered dryer or stove. Without knowing the correct safety precautions and standards, you could very seriously harm yourself when attempting an appliance repair.
When it comes to appliance repair, expert knowledge is necessary. For example, a ACR technician knows the common issues with certain brands and how to safely service equipment exhibiting electrical issues. They also know how to manage combustible gases. Without that knowledge foundation, homeowners can put themselves at significant risk.
Safe DIY Appliance Maintenance for Phoenix Homeowners
Even when you avoid DIY repairs, there are still safe steps you can take. The biggest cause for appliance breakdowns is a lack of maintenance. Instead of saving money by doing DIY repairs, consider saving through simple appliance care.
With the right DIY maintenance steps, you can keep almost any appliance in good shape for a long time:
- Refrigerators: Door seals should be regularly cleaned with warm, soapy water, and vents should be wiped down or vacuumed out. Make sure there is space for the vents to get airflow, so the compressor doesn’t overheat.
- Dishwashers: Dishwasher door seals should be regularly cleaned with warm, soapy water, too. Dishwashers have filters that need to be rinsed. You can use a dedicated dishwasher cleaner to clean the interior. This should happen monthly.
- Stoves: Clean stove door seals. If your oven has a self-clean option, use it monthly. A gas stove that burns blue is safe, but yellow or orange flames are a carbon monoxide risk. If you see this, turn your stove off immediately and call an expert for help.
- Microwaves: These need their vents wiped down regularly. The most common cause of damage is using non-microwavable dishes. Always verify containers are microwave safe. Never microwave metal or anything containing even a small amount of metal. Also, avoid running the microwave when empty.
- Washing Machines: Door seals for these need to be examined and cleaned once a week. Regularly clean out the detergent drawer. When empty, washing machines should stay open to air out and avoid mildew.
- Dryers: Dryers need their lint traps cleaned after EVERY use. Failing to clean the lint trap will cause the dryer to overheat, creating a major fire risk. The dryer’s exhaust vent should be professionally cleaned yearly.
Most of these tasks take less than five minutes. A little maintenance goes a long way and will ultimately help save you money in the long run. For repairs, we highly recommend scheduling with a ACR appliance repair technician.
Choose Reliability and Professionalism in Phoenix
As appliance repair experts, we know how risky DIY fixes can be. Unless you have professional experience, we strongly advise against attempting to repair your own appliances. The risks of a permanently broken machine or physical harm to you are just too high. Rely on ACR to address your appliance repair needs in Maricopa County.
Don’t deal with an appliance not working after DIY repair. For a safe, powerful alternative to DIY repair, with warranty security, ACR can help.
If you need help with your dryer, refrigerator, microwave, and more, we are a phone call away. Over 1,300 of our customers have left five-star reviews raving about the quality of our work. So what are you waiting for? Let us resolve your appliance issues today.