Refrigerator Repair: Does Food in Your Fridge Freeze?

 

Most of us have seen a situation where some food in our refrigerator begins to freeze. Of course, the first thing to check is the temperature. The temperature should be between 35 and 42 degrees. If your food is gathering ice in your refrigerator, try turning the temp up just a bit. If adjusting the temperature doesn't solve the problem, you may need a new thermostat or have a defective air damper. 

Otherwise, you might have a situation with your sealed system (refrigerant). If your food is freezing in your fridge and it's not just a temperature setting, give us a call to come to a look at 515-323-0680. 

Dishwasher Repair: Dishes Not Getting Clean

If the dishes in your dishwasher aren't getting clean, your dishwasher may not be getting enough water to wash with - which would be caused by a faulty water-inlet valve. After checking for debris or food particles near your filters or spray arms, if you find your dishes aren't getting clean, give us a call at 515-323-0680 and we can test your water-inlet valve to make sure you're getting enough water and there's no leakage. We have 24-emergencyservice.

Do Your Clothes Smell After Drying?

 

The lint trap in your dryer needs frequent attention to keep it clean. Cleaning it after every cycle is a good habit. If you don't clean your lint trap regularly, lint build-up could cause small "lint fires" inside the cabinet causing odorous smells in the drum of your dryer. Maybe you know someone who jokingly tells how they restart their dryer just so they don't have to fold the clothes right now and to keep the wrinkles away. What an opportune time for those small lint fires to spark. 

There may be other reasons for the odor (clothes sitting in the washer too long?), but lint can build up in your dryer cabinet over time. Our technicians can inspect your dryer for damages caused by lint. Give us a call at 515-323-0680.

If Your Washing Machine Doesn't Spin or Drain ...

If your washing machine isn't spinning or draining properly, the problem may be caused by any number of things:

Washer Doesn't Drain Properly. The drain line may be clogged.

Motor runs but doesn't pump, it could be a frozen pump pulley or broken pump belt.

Pump turns but doesn't drain, might mean you have a broken internal impeller.

Washer Doesn't Spin Properly, Lid switch might be broken or defective.

Some machines have a small motor coupler that could wear out over time. If your machine uses a clutch to get the spin up to speed, the clutch may be worn. If your machine makes a loud noise during the spin, there may be a bearing problem. These are just some of the things that may be causing your washing machine to not spin or drain properly. Some of these are very simple fixes while others may require a part replacement. We are always happy to come and look at your machine to get you back on a great laundry cycle. Give us a call at 515-323-0680.

Improve Your Air Quality Indoors

We've had several days already this summer when the heat index suggest Iowa residents stay inside. Staying inside means we should pay attention to the air quality indoors. Here are a few tips to help improve the air quality and reduce the risk for respiratory problems: 

Rid yourself of air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, excess moisture, and open chemical containers. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide levels can rise. A detector will help signal dangerous levels. Clean the windows and dust around the crevasses and corners of the house and furniture. Don't forget the blades on your ceiling fans. Check the filters in your Air Conditioner, Dehumidifiers, and even the overhead fan above your stovetop. 

Don't Use Air Fresheners! Especially those labeled "Fragrance" because they often use synthetic scents. It's much more healthy to have house plants to help with oxygenation and creation of organic scents. Wash Your Hands: Especially when coming in from outdoors or working with any chemical based products. These tips should help improve the air quality indoors as you escape the heat from outdoors.

Does Your Garbage Disposal Hum Instead of Grind?

There are two reasons your garbage disposal might be humming instead of grinding: The disposal is jammed. The motor is bad. In the first case, you might be able to dislodge whatever is stuck in the appliance.  Grab a 1/4" Allen wrench and from under the sink find the small port (usually in the center underneath the appliance). Use a back and forth action to try to dislodge anything that may be jammed.

You can also "reset" the garbage disposer by pushing the red button underneath the disposer. Please - Do not stick your hand in the garbage disposal until you unplug the appliance. If nothing is jammed and the garbage disposal still just hums, you may have a bad motor. Give us a call (515-323-0680) and we'd be happy to check out whether something is stuck or if you need to replace your garbage disposal.