Appliance Mistakes Many Homeowners Make

 

There are numerous benefits to proper appliance maintenance. Not only does keeping important appliances in prime condition make life easier for your family, but it can also help add value to your home. Since ovens, refrigerators, washing machines and other big-ticket items are generally included in home sales, it behooves every responsible homeowner to take maintenance seriously. Luckily, if you play your cards just right, this doesn’t have to be a drain on your time or finances. In the interest of keeping your appliances in peak condition for the foreseeable future, take care to avoid the following mistakes.

Lack of Cleaning

Many essential kitchen appliances need to be cleaned on a consistent basis. In the absence of cleanliness, microwaves, ovens, refrigerators and other important devices are liable to have their overall functionality affected and their respective lifespans reduced. Many factors determine how often these appliances should be cleaned – with the frequency of use and level of use being chief among them. Additionally, the ideal cleaning methods of these devices vary by appliance type, manufacturer and model. If you’re unclear on how to properly clean any of your appliances, make a point of consulting their respective owner’s manuals or contacting manufacturers. While some cleaning some appliances can be a bit tricky, others may prove to be far easier to clean than you initially thought.    

Lack of Maintenance

No matter how dependable an appliance is, the occasional maintenance visit is essential to its long-term health. Even if a device comes from a renowned manufacturer and has given you relatively few problems, you’ll still need to enlist the periodic assistance of seasoned repair and maintenance professionals. Knowledgeable individuals will be able to locate and repair a broad assortment of problems in a timely and cost-effective manner. The frequency with which maintenance calls are made largely depends on the type of appliance, the age of an appliance and the appliance’s history. For example, heavy-duty devices like refrigerators require maintenance visits every six months. To get a better sense of how often your appliances should be inspected by maintenance professionals, consult their respective owner’s manuals or manufacturers’ websites.   

Letting Small Problems Linger

When many of us encounter seemingly minor problems with our appliances, we tend to allow these issues to linger. To a point, this approach is understandable. After all, calling a repair and maintenance service entails spending a little bit of money, and most people try to avoid unnecessary expenses at all costs. Still, ignoring small problems and hoping they go away on their own is likely to give way to costlier issues down the line. In other words, it’s better to spend a little now than to shell out a small fortune in the future. The longer a problem persists, the more time it has to grow into something more pressing – and expensive. So the next time you find yourself in need of oven repair or any of your other appliances exhibit minor issues, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone.  

Failure to Take Advantage of Warranties

Many people disparage extended warranties, and it isn’t hard to see why. Buying an extended warranty often adds a fair amount of money to an already expensive purchase, and for many of us, that makes it an unattractive prospect right out of the gate. That being said, an extended warranty can prove tremendously helpful if an appliance experiences problems within its first couple of years of use. A comprehensive extended warranty can ensure that your new appliance receives replacement components and timely repairs at no cost to you. In certain cases, an extended warranty can even guarantee you an outright replacement. So, the next time you’re offered an extended warranty, you’d be wise to do a cost/benefit analysis. Fortunately, many retailers allow customers to purchase warranties within two weeks of purchase dates, so you needn’t feel pressured into making a rushed decision. Taking a little bit of time to weigh the pros and cons of an extended warranty can save you a lot of money down the road.

Big-ticket appliances are among the largest purchases most homeowners make. Given how pricey dependable appliances can be, it’s in the best interest of every cost-conscious household to keep these devices alive and kicking for the foreseeable future. While properly maintaining a wide array of appliances may seem like an uphill battle, it’s much easier than many of us make it look. When working to get the most out of your appliances, make a point of avoiding the previously discussed blunders.