The Risks of DIY Appliance Repairs and How to Avoid Them

DIY repair might seem tempting, but knowing your limits can save you time, money, and headaches.

In today’s age of DIY everything, many homeowners take pride in at least trying to tackle their own household projects. Thanks to shows like This Old House and Fixer to Fabulous, we often think it’s possible to fix just about anything. And the sense of accomplishment is wonderful. But it’s crucial to recognize when a repair is beyond your skill level, especially when it comes to appliances. Understanding your limits can save you not only time and money but also prevent potential hazards to your health or home. In this post, we’ll walk through when it’s best to put down the toolbox and pick up the phone.

Assessing Your Skills

Before you dive into a repair, the most crucial step is to reflect on your current skills. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I successfully repaired an appliance before? Think about the different things you’ve fixed or replaced. Fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a light bulb are examples of minor repairs.

• Are you comfortable working with electrical components? If you have a solid understanding of how to read an electrical diagram and how wiring works, you might be able to tackle simpler electrical issues. However, if electricity is intimidating, it’s best to leave this to the pros.

• Do you understand the finer points of your appliance's inner workings? Many of today’s major appliances are complex. If you struggle to identify parts or keep track of how they fit together, professional help is likely necessary.

It isn’t a mark against you if you find yourself hesitating or feeling uncertain about any of these questions. It’s just a sign to reconsider your approach. Rather than causing yourself stress or potential harm, you can shift tactics now.

When to Call a Professional

Certain appliance repairs should always be left to the experts. Here are five scenarios where it is essential to get professional help:

1. Complex electrical issues
   If you’re fighting with the wiring in your oven, refrigerator, or washing machine, please call an expert. These appliances can pose significant risks. If you believe you’re dealing with a short circuit or damaged wires, that’s when you need a professional. Complex wiring issues can lead to electric shocks, fires, or even a total failure of the appliance.

2. Gas appliance repairs
   We all know that gas appliances can be dangerous if not treated with the proper respect. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, you need to evacuate immediately and call a professional. Gas leaks not only pose the risk of fires but can also lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. In the worst-case scenario, there could be an explosion. Gas appliance repairs are best left to those trained to handle such risks.

3. Refrigerant leaks
   Refrigerant leaks are just as dangerous. If you suspect your refrigerator is leaking coolant, do not attempt to fix it on your own. Handling refrigerants without proper training is hazardous, not only to your health but also to anyone else in your household. Professionals have the necessary training and equipment to safely manage refrigerant leaks.

4. Smart appliance troubleshooting
   Smart appliances often have complex software and connectivity features in addition to their hardware. If you’re encountering connectivity issues or software glitches, a professional can diagnose and repair the problem more effectively. Attempting to fix smart appliances on your own could void the warranty, making professional help a smart option.

5. Persistent problems after multiple DIY attempts
   If you’ve tried to fix an appliance several times without success, it’s time to step back. Continuing to attempt repairs can lead to lost parts or make the underlying problem worse. Both will result in a higher bill when you finally call a professional—compared to if you had done so from the start.

Risks of DIY Repairs

While we support doing basic maintenance tasks on your own, repairs come with risks. Here are a few:

• Safety hazards: As we’ve discussed in many of our articles, electrical shocks and gas leaks are serious dangers. If something isn’t repaired properly, it’s all too easy to get hurt. The risk simply isn’t worth it when compared to the safety of you and your family.

• Voiding warranties: As mentioned in last week’s article, appliances often come with warranties. Attempting repairs yourself can easily void these warranties. Always check the fine print to see if your appliance is still covered before diving into a project. It’s much cheaper to have it fixed under warranty than to attempt a DIY repair.

• Costly mistakes: An incorrect repair can lead to further damage and higher costs. It’s all too easy to try fixing one thing and end up damaging other parts, which will then also need repairs. This ends up being much more expensive than calling a professional in the first place.

Tips for DIY Success

If you’re determined to tackle appliance repairs on your own, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

• Do your research: Make sure you’re thoroughly familiar with your appliance's manual and any online troubleshooting guides. Websites like RepairClinic or YouTube offer step-by-step instructions for many common repairs. The more expert knowledge you gather, the less likely you are to hit a wall.

• Start small: Don’t dive into the deep end. Begin with simple tasks, like replacing bulbs, clamps, or cleaning out the lint duct in your dryer. This will help you build your skills and confidence.

• Know when to stop: The most important skill in DIY repairs is knowing when to stop. If you start feeling overwhelmed or unsure if you’re doing the right thing, take a step back. It’s okay to consult a professional before creating a bigger problem. A good time to stop is if you’ve taken apart your appliance and can’t remember how to reassemble it.

Remember, your time is valuable. Weigh the potential costs of time and materials for a DIY repair against the time you could spend doing other things. There’s also peace of mind in hiring a professional. By understanding when to seek help, you can maintain your appliances efficiently, prolong their lifespan, and ensure a safe environment for you and your family.

Recognizing your limits is an essential part of being a responsible homeowner. While tackling DIY repairs can be fulfilling, there are times when it’s best to call in the experts. If you find yourself facing a challenging appliance issue, don’t hesitate to reach out to Appliance Rescue Service. Our team of skilled technicians is here to help ensure your home runs smoothly and safely.

Website

Call: ( (214) 599-0055)

Additional Reading
Minimize Waste, Maximize Sustainability: The Case for Appliance Repair

Test Your Refrigerator IQ

Unlocking Your Dishwasher: A Troubleshooting Guide

DIY Repairs vs. Your Appliance Warranty: What’s the Real Cost?

Discover why DIY repairs might end up costing you more than hiring a professional.

We’ve all been there—your dishwasher stops draining, or your washing machine begins to leak water just as you’re about to leave for work. Thanks to the rise of online tutorials, it's tempting to say I'll fix it! After all all you need is a few basic tools and a video right?  So why wait for a technician when you can DIY? Pause the moment though before you grab that wrench. It's important to ask: is it really worth the risk? While talking repair on your own seems like a great idea in the moment, One missed step or unaccounted for fact, can end up costing you much more than you think. And your appliance warranty is only the start.

The Safety Net of Appliance Warranties

Appliance warranties are a safety net many of us don't think about right until we need it. The standard warranty you will get, should cover the cost of repairs and replacements for major parts and labor. This gives you peace of mind if something happens within a specific time frame. If for instance your refrigerator is compressor gives out within the warranty period,  you can save hundreds of dollars. Without that warranty? It comes out of your pocket.

A warranty will typically extend from 1 to 5 years depending on the manufacturer. Whether something broke in transit, came off the manufacturing line with something wrong, or it just breaks, that warranty is your lifeline. However warranties also come with strict rules that you have to adhere to. This includes that all repairs are done by licensed professionals. So this means that any DIY attempts can immediately void your safety net.

The True Cost of DIY Repairs

It's so easy to fall into the trap of DIY appliance repairs. You don't want to wait for someone else to have to come, and having to take time off from work in order to be there, and then pay them on top of it. We get that. Especially with online repairs promising it's a quick 5 minute fix and you get the rush of satisfaction knowing you fixed it yourself. 

However, many warranties explicitly state that if you attempt to repair the appliance yourself, it voids the warranty. So, even if you do repair the faulty thermostat in your oven, if you break another sensor in the process of doing it? Your warranty is gone and all future repairs are paid for out of pocket, and that's even if you should have had another four years under the warranty.

You're smart though, you wouldn't try replacing the thermostat in your oven. What about a hose on your washer though? Imagine that you're washing machine starts leaking. After all, in several of our articles we tell you to pay attention to the hoses on your washing machine and to replace as needed,  so you're just trusting us. But in this case, the issue isn't on the outside. It's not easily visible by eye, and all you know is that the washer is leaking. So you find an instructional video online, and you open up the machine. That's where you find a cracked hose. At this point the video has been great so you replace the hose, but you accidentally damaged a small sensor that's needed for telling if the drum is full or not. Well since you opened up your washer, you voided your warranty. This means that you're stuck with the repair bill for the sensor as well as the hose.

This isn't just about your warranties though. Homeowner insurance policies don't always cover DIY repairs either. So this means that Financial risk can go beyond just the appliance. If our washing machine from our last example, continues to leak and damages your floor, you could be on the hook for that. Which then doubles your costs.

Safety and Hidden Risks

We've talked about your warranty and about your homeowners insurance, but doing DIY repairs can also put you at risk. Appliances like an electric dryer or a gas oven serious personal risks. If improperly handled, you can easily be shocked, start a gas leak, or a fire. There is a reason that we always say that if you don't have the proper training or if you're even a little uncertain, to call in a professional. 

A professional will have the proper training, to handle high voltage appliances. Professionals also have to know how to properly disengage gas appliances to safely fix them, without leading to gas or fire hazards.

What's more, many DIY attempts are due to misdiagnosed problems. It's easy to mistake one issue for another without professional training. This leads to improper repairs that not only can worsen the initial problem but they end up costing you time and money. And because it's difficult to get hold of the actual parts you need most fixes end up being temporary at best.

Why Professional Repairs Are Worth It

While DIY repairs may seem like a cost-effective solution at first, the risks involved usually make professional repairs the smarter choice. Licensed technicians are trained to diagnose and fix problems without causing additional damage. More importantly, hiring a professional ensures that your warranty remains intact, allowing you to take full advantage of any future coverage if needed.

Professional repair services also save you time and frustration. They also keep you from the potential of medical bills if something goes wrong. What would take one of us several hours to disassemble research and troubleshoot, is fixed by a technician in a fraction of that time. Certified professionals also have access to trademarked tools and original parts to ensure that the repair is done correctly the first time.

Conclusion: Protect Your Warranty, Protect Your Home

In the end, your appliance warranty is a valuable asset that you shouldn’t risk on a DIY gamble. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to fix things yourself, the potential costs of voiding your warranty and causing further damage simply aren’t worth it. By trusting professional repair services like Appliance Rescue Service, you can rest assured that your appliances will be fixed correctly, keeping your warranty intact and your home running smoothly.

If you do have something that has gone wrong around your home, we hope you'll give us a call. You can reach us through our website or our offices where we will work with you to set up a time and date that fits your schedule. 

Website

Call ((214) 599-0055)

Additional Reading
Prepare Your Home for Fall: Essential Maintenance Tips

Household Hauntings: The Frightening Reality of Appliance Neglect

37 Reasons To Have Your Appliances Maintained Regularly

Keep Your Dishwasher in Top Shape: Maintenance Tips and Tricks

 Are You Maintaining Your Dishwasher Properly?

Have you been taking your dishwasher for granted lately? Just tossing dishes in and not really paying attention to where they go or how they come out? Many of us do it it's easy to forget how useful this workout is. At least until you pull out the dishes and find that they're covered with lime scale or grease. If you would rather not deal with that take this as your sign to go do some TLC for your dishwasher. We will guide you through the steps necessary to keep your dishwasher in prime condition. Fortunately they're so quick and easy you can get them done before bedtime and still have plenty of evening to enjoy.

Debunking the Myth

Let's start with the most common misconception we run into about dishwashers. Doesn't it keep itself clean? The short answer, is no. Many homeowners believe that since the dishwasher is already keeping everything inside it clean that also applies to the dishwasher itself. However without attention from you food particles, grease and hard water residue build up. This reduces your dishwashers efficiency and ability to keep anything else clean. To ensure that your dishwasher performs at its best it's essential to understand how you can clean and maintain it properly.

How to Tell if Your Dishwasher Needs to Be Cleaned

Courtesy of alla-kemelmakher

Of course the first question, is whether or not your dishwasher even needs to be cleaned. This isn't something that needs to be done on a nightly or even weekly basis. 

1. Unpleasant Smells

If a way of stench rolls out of your dishwasher when you open the door that is a clear sign that it needs to be cleaned. Food particles and residue have accumulated somewhere even if it doesn't look obvious. This unpleasant smell can stick around even after you've run a load. 

2. Residual Food or Grease on Dishes

Have you started noticing food or grease left on your dishes even after you've run a wash cycle? This can indicate that your dishwasher needs a thorough cleaning.

3. Clogged Sprayer Arms

If you notice after running your dishwasher that the top specifically is not coming clean you might have an issue with your dishwasher sprayer arm. Food can get clogged in the Jets as can hard water buildup. The sprayer arms are responsible for distributing water and detergent evenly so if they become clogged the dishwasher won't clean effectively.

4. Mold or Mildew

It's unfortunate but mold and mildew can develop inside your dishwasher particularly around seals and in hidden corners. Naturally these create unsanitary conditions which contribute to smells.

Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Running Like New

If you have noticed any of these signs, or you're just thinking it's about time to clean your dishwasher here's your checklist.

Courtesy of Achim Thiemerma

1. Remove the Racks

Start by taking all of the rocks out of your dishwasher. This might be just two or you might have three of them. Either way all of them need to come out, to give you easy access to the inside. Take the time to check all of the wheels both that they spin easily and aren't damaged. 

2. Clean the Filter

Most dishwashers, if not all at this point, have a filter that captures food particles and debris. Check your manual or go online to find it, to find its location. If it's removable, take it out and clean it with warm soapy water. If anything is caked on, you can let it soak for 10 minutes and then scrub carefully with baking soda. Make sure to rinse thoroughly before replacing.

3. Clean the Door and Seals

Mix up a solution of vinegar and dish soap and grab a soft cloth. You're going to gently wipe down the rubber seals around your door to clean up any grime or soil buildup.

4. Clean the Sprayer Arms

Inspect to the sprayer arms of your dishwasher for any blockages. If you find any you can use a toothpick or a similar tool to gently remove debris from the spray holes. You can also wipe the spray arms down with a diluted bleach solution to sanitize them.

5. Scrub Out the Dishwasher

Next up mix a diluted bleach solution to scrub the interior of your dishwasher. At this stage you'll want to use a sponge but not the scrubby side. Using the bleach will help remove any mold or mildew, so make sure to pay attention to nooks and crannies like the tracks that the rack slide on, and the connections for the sprayer arms. 

An important note if you have a stainless steel interior, do not do this. This will damage the interior of your dishwasher if you do so

6. Run a Vinegar Cycle

Put your rocks back into the dishwasher now that they're clean, and pour two cups of white vinegar into a dishwasher safe container. Place that on the top rack where it won't get knocked over. Run the dishwasher on a short or energy saving cycle. If you have the option pause the cycle halfway through so that the vinegar will eat away at any debris or buildup. Let it sit for 20 minutes before finishing the cycle.

7. Schedule Regular Cleanings

Our final step is to look at your schedule and write down the next time you need to do this. But we walked you through today is a thorough cleaning, which should be done every 2 to 4 months depending on how heavily you use your dishwasher. If you only use it once a week, you can do it once every 4 months. If you're running your dishwasher every night, you'll need to do it every 2 months. In between those times a simple vinegar soak like we did in step 6 is enough to keep your dishwasher fresh.

Maintaining your dishwasher is about more than cleaning dishes. It also ensures the long life span of the dishwasher. Regular cleaning and proper care are the key to avoiding any unpleasant surprises as well as keeping it in top shape.

If these steps weren't enough to solve your problems with your dishwasher it might be time to call in a professional. At that point we hope that you remember that our team is here to help. Clients rescue service offers expert repair and maintenance services to keep your home running smoothly. You can reach out to us via our website or by giving us a call to schedule an appointment to keep your dishwasher and your other major appliances performing at their best.

Website

Call: ((214) 599-0055)

Additional Reading

Dishwasher Deep Dive

Why Fall Is the Best Time For a Maintenance Check 

Revolutionizing Kitchen Chores: The Water-Saving Benefits of Dishwashers

Pre-Vacation Appliance Prep: Protect Your Home While You’re Away

Avoid Returning to a Mess: Easy Pre-Travel Appliance Prep

The end of summer is almost here, but there’s still plenty of time for a quick vacation if you’re dying to get out of the heat. While you’re away enjoying cooler weather (or maybe an island, we don’t know what you prefer) your house still is here. Unless we’re going away for months, we tend to leave our homes connected to water and electricity, gas and internet.  All of this is to say that while you’re gone, your home continues on as it normally does. What about your appliances though? We’ve all heard horror stories about people going away on vacation only to come back to a fridge full of mold and slime, or a flooded laundry room. How do you protect against those sorts of things? 

The answer is that like may things, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We’ll walk you through everything you’ll need to check on or adjust in  the week before you head on vacation to ensure you come back to a house as perfect as you left it. 

Simple Steps To Start You Off

Unplug Small Appliances - 

Small appliances like your toaster oven, your instant pot, your coffee maker, they all eat up energy whether they're in use or not. If they're there using them every day this makes sense to keep them plugged in. But while you're gone why not save a few bucks on your electric bill? 

Equally important although rare, these can cause fire if left unattended.

Turn Off Your Water Supply 

courtesy of JuraKovr

This solves several different problems at once, although we're not saying that you should go to your water main and turn that off. This can be a hassle, and not something you’ll want to deal with right after returning from vacation. Instead turn off the water supply at the different appliances especially your dishwasher and washing machine. If either were to get a cracked line while you're gone you can come home to water damage or flooding depending on how long you're gone for.

 

Don’t Turn Off Your AC 

Courtesy of overjupiter

Unlike with your appliances, you don’t want to turn off your ac. The reason is mold and mildew, and heat damage around the home. With your home heating and cooling in accordance to the temperatures, it can easily get warm enough to allow mold and mildew to begin growing while you’re gone. Additionally, anything around the house that is temperature sensitive can be damaged. A few quick examples include medicines, cleaning products, and your spices. Instead, set it to around 80* while you’re gone to use less energy, but not risk anything becoming damaged while you’re gone. 

Time to Tackle Your Major Appliances 

Run The Dishwasher

Running the dishwasher before you go kills two birds with one stone. One, you’re not going to come back to a sink of moldy or sentient dishes, and two, if you leave the dishwasher door open after running and emptying it, the dishwasher itself won’t smell musty. You also want to make sure that it is completely drained before you leave. Unwanted guests love stagnant water, and yes we're talking about bugs and mosquitoes.

Washing Machine

Many travel lists will tell you to do laundry before you leave home. We feel that this is an unnecessary step if you don't need to already do laundry. However whether you do laundry or not you do need to leave the washing machine door open. Just like with your dishwasher you don't want it to develop a musty smell while you're gone. 

Courtesy of Courtesy of planetcar

Additionally, you want to make sure to inspect all hoses for any blisters, bulges, cracks, or leaks. Taking the time to do this now means you can spot problems before they grow into something much larger. 

Dryer 

Take a minute to clean out the trap and you’ll be good to do as much laundry as is needed on your return. Since it won't be running while you're gone, there's little to worry about with this one.

Oven and Stove

Whether gas or electric, these are the easiest to handle prior to going on vacation. 

You don’t need to unplug it, or turn off the gas, just make sure that all burners are off before you leave. Other than that, the only rthing you’ll need to worry about is cleaning up any residue or burnt food before you leave, to avoid attracting any unwanted pests. 

Water Heater

Although not an appliance, we do recommend turning down or even powering off, your water heater, as one more way to cut down on bills while you’re away. 

Finally, Check Smoke Detectors And Carbon Monoxide Alarms 

Ensure that all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are functioning correctly before you leave. Replace batteries if necessary to guarantee your home’s safety in your absence. 

Courtesy of Rudy and Peter Skitterians

Now that you’ve taken all the right steps to protect your home while you’re soaking up the sun or savoring cooler breezes, there’s just one more thing to check off your list. Before you head out, make sure your appliances are in top shape with a quick inspection from our expert technicians at Appliance Rescue Service. Whether it's checking for potential issues or giving your appliances a little extra care, our team is here to help ensure everything runs smoothly while you’re away.

Don’t leave it to chance—schedule an appointment today by giving us a call or visiting our website. That way, you can truly relax on your vacation, knowing your home is in good hands. Safe travels, and we’ll see you when you get back!

Website
Call ((214) 599-0055) 

Additional Reading
Appliance Deep Dive Round Up 

Why Is My Refrigerator Making Weird Noises!?

Taking the Pain Out Of Melted Plastic

Top 9 Appliance Issues to Watch Out for Before Buying a Home

 Avoiding Appliance Surprises: Key Issues to Watch for When Buying a Home

Are you dreaming of homeownership? It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of picking out paint colors and deciding which room will hold your favorite furniture. But before getting too comfortable, it’s important to face a hard truth: those shiny appliances may not be as reliable as they look.

Every home comes with its quirks, and the appliances are no exception. Knowing what to expect can make all the difference in your home-buying experience, and that’s where we come in. With years of experience helping our clients repair both new and new-to-them appliances, we’ve heard our fair share of horror stories. Here’s what you need to know to avoid a few of your own.

One:

Do not exhaust your savings just to get into the house. You'll end up borrowing either money or trouble, and you'll probably borrow both if you panic about it.

Something will always come up. Even if you're buying the well-maintained, paid-off family home from your great granddaddy for the princely sum of a single dollar, something will come up. Sometimes it's paperwork, sometimes it's appliances, sometimes it's an outright disaster.

Possible nightmares:

The assessor will come back with a much higher valuation and your closing costs will skyrocket because you have to front a portion of property taxes. The homeowner's insurance will decline to issue you a policy because you don't have a handrail on your two steps to the front door. The line to the washer will disconnect or rupture spontaneously, and because you haven't moved in yet, the laundry room will flood before anyone finds it. A mouse will get in and eat something critical, frying the brand built-in fridge even though there have never been mice.

It's always something. Probably something ridiculous, at that.

And then, once you've handled that, with homeownership comes... more bills. Expect the bills. Don't drain your savings.

Two:

Every home is different, but all of them have some kind of headache.

As everyone knows, the first home is usually a case of "what can I afford?" rather than "what do I want?" Subsequent homes land somewhere in between those two, usually one step closer to the "wants" side with each purchase.

From our experience, the first home we bought was an absolute dumpster fire. Former rental, pest infestation, broken appliances, damaged floor, rotting subfloor, plumbing problems, leaking roof, busted central air, holes in drywall and interior doors, yard in disarray and full of junk... If you can dream up a problem, we probably faced it with the first house. And we faced it on fumes - the bank account was dry. It took us years, and every spare penny, to make it livable. That first piece of advice we just imparted? Learned that the hard way.

The second home was a family property, a beautiful recent renovation with new-old-stock matching appliances. Stellar, as opposed to the home we moved out of. But it had its own headaches: poor wiring, not grounded, drafty windows, no air conditioning at all, an old well prone to freezing in winter, no access to utilities like home internet. Learning from past mistakes allowed us to hire a pro and knock out the pressing issues much more quickly. This house is the one we consider our permanent residence; we'll return to it eventually. Life has simply necessitated a relocation for now.

The third home was a lesson in problems not readily apparent. It passed inspection with flying colors, but our hurdles there were the kind only revealed after living there for a while. It was a dry climate, but it turned out the storm windows and back door leaked in the event of rain. Previous water damage had been patched, but the underlying problem remained. The fridge squawked and squealed, mostly in the dead of night. The garbage disposal quit almost right away. The central A/C unit needed to be repaired in the first six months, too. The stove never worked quite as expected - slow to preheat, hot spots, cold spots, etc. Even the porches needed work - they had been repaired, but not well. Just another short term, band-aid fix, in a neighborhood full of them. Pretty on the surface quickly became a money pit, and the other houses nearby seemed to use the same low-cost handyman (or at least follow the same philosophy) as the previous owner. Learned from this experience: declining property value is not just a boogeyman. It is real and it can bite you in the behind.

The fourth home? Location, location, location. We have finally learned not to compromise on things like school districts, primary care and hospital access, and accessible recreation. They're not obvious things on the surface, but Lord are they important. This house taught us damage can be fixed, appliances and fixtures and flooring can be replaced, the yard can be modified, but the house is literally not going anywhere else. And with a teenager in the house, keeping the kiddo educated, healthy, and entertained/out of trouble have moved to the uppermost priority slot.

Three:

You may have paid extra for the appliances. That doesn't make them worth anything.

Used appliances are always a lotto situation. Sometimes you hit the jackpot: it's all pretty new, it matches, it's what you would have bought for yourself, it's been maintained well, the previous owner has all the paperwork, the manufacturer warranties are all intact and transferable... It's a unicorn situation, but it could happen.

It usually doesn't.

Go in knowing you might have just paid a premium for something you could find unusable, even if your inspector says it does what it should. Our stove in the third house, for example. We bake A LOT. A slow preheat isn't a problem for people who don't prioritize baking, and since it does heat to temperature, it technically works. (Works like shit, that's for sure.)

We're also really, really choosy about washing machines and dryers. The washer and dryer that came with the fourth house went right out the door on our first day. They worked, but they didn't work up to our standards and had to go to make room for a set that did.

Four:

Cruddy appliances do not warrant pushing for seller concessions.

Do not waste your - or anyone else's - time quibbling about the appliances. The process of asking to adjust the sale price of the house for things like this isn't worth the time or effort, and may end up costing you the house when your offer gets rejected. Negotiating is not exactly appealing when there's someone else willing to pay full asking price. 

Five:

Your inspector is there to help, but is not omnipotent.

S/he cannot tell the future, nor is s/he paid enough or given enough time to catch everything. The inspector will walk through and assess things like doors and windows and lights and plumbing, check for mold or pests, and test the appliances if they convey with the house. The report is simply the inspector calling it as it is - here's where you find out one burner on the stove doesn't work, or the shower diverter is jammed. Do not try to push the seller into fixing every little thing. However, big things like mold remediation are sometimes worth fighting over.

The inspection on home four tipped us off to the examples above. We've been here a while now, replaced the jammed diverter on day one and are still using the stove that came with the house. Three burners are enough for now, and there were other priorities (like the washer and dryer).

The inspectors are not to blame for things like appliances kicking the proverbial bucket. They know if it works when they're there. They don't know what's happening a day, a week or a month from now any more than you do. First time home buyers often seem to think the inspector should have a crystal ball or something and warn them the dishwasher will lose the plastic clip on the detergent door next Thursday, or that the built-in microwave will only cook two more bags of popcorn before it gives up the ghost. Give everyone a break. Also, see tip number one again.

Six:

Your appliance preferences and needs are yours - know your situation and adjust priorities accordingly.

We know plenty of people who would have prioritized replacing our apartment-sized fridge over getting a better washer and dryer, and just gone to the laundromat until they could afford the washer and dryer they wanted. This is a valid solution for lots of people. It's not for us.

We do an egregious amount of laundry. We do so much laundry that in a month, the money spent at the laundromat would have bought a nice used washer with a warranty. Also, our trip to the nearest laundromat is much longer than the trip to the grocery store. We decided we could get by with a tiny fridge and freezer by making more frequent grocery trips, and adjusted accordingly. 

Seven:

Assume the previous owner of any used appliance did not know the word "maintenance."

Any one! One that comes with the house, one you found on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, one you bought from the neighbor, one you picked up from a reseller shop... It cannot be stressed enough. Any appliance you buy used will at bare minimum need a scrub before you welcome it into your home.

It is safer to assume the previous owner had many long haired cats, at least one alligator, several unsupervised toddlers and had never heard of Lysol or vacuum cleaners.

Don’t expect it to look like this. This is after HOURS of work.

You will find signs that it's used. Scratches, dents, bite marks, loose alphabet magnets stuck in strange places, fur (oh golly, the fur), dust, dirt, lint, mystery caked-on stains, and other assorted nightmare fuel.

Be ready and willing to put in the work, or be prepared to fork over more cash.

Eight:

Do you see lights out in an appliance? It's telling you something.

If you see an easily replaceable appliance bulb out, say the one in the fridge or under a built-in microwave, that's a good sign the person before you didn't prioritize simple maintenance. They would rather live without it and/or work around it than exert the effort to pick up a bulb at the store and change it out.

Be ready to deep clean these appliances, and be on the lookout for more overlooked simple maintenance projects elsewhere in the house. Check to see if there's lint trapped in the dryer or dryer vent hose - another five minute project, but one that may prevent a serious fire hazard. Check your water valves under sinks, behind fridges and washers, and behind toilets; turn them on/off a time or two annually to prevent them from locking up (but only do this when you have a hardware store open or a replacement on hand in case it's already seized by scale or defective). Check the smoke/CO2 alarms and make sure they have batteries and function. Clean the filters in the vent fan over the stove and in the dishwasher. Check HVAC filters and be ready to replace them all.

Nine:

Homeowners insurance doesn't specifically cover your appliances.

The vast majority of homeowners policies consider your appliances just another thing under the personal property category. If one or more kick the bucket on you, your policy won't do much about it. However, if they're stolen or damaged by a storm, your policy may pay to replace them. Read your policy, and if you struggle to understand it, make sure you ask questions of your insurer. There are other warranties and insurance policies you can explore if you are interested in appliance breakdown coverage.

Shopping for a new home is full of surprises, and the appliances that come with it can often be one of the biggest unknowns. But with a little preparation and the right support, you can handle whatever comes your way. At Appliance Rescue Service, we’re here to help when those unexpected appliance issues arise. Our experienced technicians are just a call away, ready to ensure your new home remains as comfortable and functional as you dreamed. Don’t let appliance troubles dampen your excitement – trust us to keep your new space running smoothly. 

Website 

(214) 599-0055

Additional Reading

5 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Appliances

Outdated Kitchen Appliance Trends