The photo was taken by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
If you’ve been living in your own home for any longer than a year, the chances are that you have had at least one of your home appliances fritz out – quite possibly without warning. If all of the appliances were new when you moved in, then you might have been spared the experience. It’s probably in the pipeline, though – and it’s never a welcome incident when it happens, because it usually comes in the middle of using the appliance.
Our hands will tend to hover over our phones when something goes wrong – this has always been the case. However where it used to be a case of phoning a technician to come and repair the appliance, now it can be for a cursory Google to find out what we are dealing with – and whether we can make the fix ourselves – or even to order a replacement for a machine which has very clearly seen its last day. Below, we’ll look at some of the ways an appliance can go wrong, and whether it’s wise to repair it yourself, call someone else, or simply replace the appliance.
Can you fix it yourself?
If a fault develops with one of our essential appliances, it can feel like things are about to become expensive. Calling in a repair professional might cost as much as buying a new appliance, once parts and labor are considered. But take a moment, step back and look at what you’re dealing with. Is it a slow-draining or slow-filling washing machine? Is the refrigerator making a weird noise? Check online to see if there is a guide to diagnosing faults and potentially repairing them. Sourcing appliance repair parts and making the repair yourself could potentially save you hundreds of dollars. It’s worth checking as a first step.
What if it’s more complicated?
Everyone has their own comfort level when it comes to household repairs, which is why it is important to read any and all guides you can with reference to the issue your appliance has. For example, to fix a washing machine inflow, you’ll need to be able to turn off and on the mains water supply. Do you know how to do that? You might also follow a guide and find that the problem is still in existence. At the point where things become too complicated – or potentially dangerous, in the case of electrical repairs – it is essential to call an expert. The results of a poor or incomplete repair could cost a lot more than just calling someone.
Ask the right questions
Should a repair professional come to your home to look at a non-functional appliance, it is important to ask them the right questions. First, can they tell at a glance what the problem is? Can they repair it here and now? Not least importantly, do they know what it will cost to put it right? It may be the case that repairing your ice machine will cost nearly as much as buying a new refrigerator – at which point it becomes more sensible to get a replacement. As well as a repair might go on a seriously damaged appliance, you are merely prolonging its life of with a repair, and it’s best to take it as a warning sign that the problem will reoccur.
