Common DIY Appliance Repair Mistakes

If you are a homeowner, you may be eager to flex those DIY muscles and take on ambitious projects, especially if doing the project themselves will save you some money. When it comes to household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and dishwashers, there are issues that are easy to fix yourself and those that should be addressed by a professional.

If you are experiencing an issue with a household appliance and are wondering if you can fix the problem yourself, this article is for you. Below, we demystify common appliance issues and whether or not is it smart to try a DIY fix.

Whether you are new to DIY appliance repair an experienced home handyman, you’ll want a professional appliance repair service to call for those jobs outside your range of knowledge. At Diamond Appliance, we proudly serve customers in St. Louis, Kansas City, and other communities across Missouri and Kansas with expert appliance repair services. Give us a call for questions or to schedule your appliance repair today.

Here are our tips for deciding whether your appliance repair is a doable DIY or needs an expert eye:

Washing Machines

Washing machine repairs are much more complicated today than they were in the past, largely because modern washing machines are so complex. The biggest challenge with repairing a washing machine is not the repair itself, but reassembling the machine correctly after the repair is finished. If you don’t have experience repairing washing machines, this is likely not a project you want to do yourself. Instead, check to see if your washing machine is under warranty. If so, call the manufacturer for a repair referral. If not under warranty, call Diamond Appliance for help with a washing machine repair.

Dryers

The challenge in repairing a dryer is often in diagnosing the problem. You may believe that the heating element is to blame for a malfunctioning dryer, but the issue may be with a timer or sensor that communicates with the heating element. A professional appliance repairman will have the tools necessary to accurately diagnose a dryer issue and be able to provide an effective fix.

Ovens & Ranges

Surprisingly, ovens are actually one of the more DIY-friendly appliances to fix…at least for small issues. What you will want to pay attention to is turning off the power supply to an oven before beginning any repair. Leaving the power connected and, for example, changing the oven light bulb may cause the machine to short-circuit and could lead to a costly circuit board replacement.

Refrigerators

Like washing machines, refrigerators are more complicated than you would think. Today’s models have a lot of electronic elements, like a thermostat, sensors, control panels, etc. This is another appliance where it is easy to incorrectly diagnose the issue at hand, which could lead you to purchase expensive parts that aren’t going to fix the issue. When it comes to a refrigerator – beyond changing a light bulb – you will want to call in a pro.

Dishwashers

These days, dishwashers have become a must-have for many homeowners. If you are thinking of installing a dishwasher, you may be considering performing the installation yourself. This is actually a good DIY project for a proficient home handyman but beware of costly errors. Dishwashers are connected to your electricity and plumbing and have many parts, both electronic and mechanical. Be sure to follow a reliable guide when installing a dishwasher so you don’t miss any steps.

The bottom line on DIY appliance repair

If you have doubts about your ability to perform a DIY appliance repair – even if you’ve already started – call a professional. While they aren’t the largest or most expensive components of a home, appliances are complex machines that often require expert knowledge to repair and maintain. Never start taking apart an appliance without understanding the purpose of each part and how they fit together – it’s easy to lose a crucial component or get to the point where you’re not sure how to get the machine working again.

Here at Diamond Appliance, we perform expert repairs on the most common household appliance brands including Kenmore, Whirlpool, Amana, Gladiator, and JennAir. Give us a call to get started today.