Prepare Your Home for Fall: Essential Maintenance Tips

 Prepare your home for the season and keep everything running smoothly as the temperatures drop

Fall is almost here and we are over the moon. Not because of the hordes of pumpkin spice lovers that will come out of the woodwork. Not because Halloween will come sooner than we can expect. But because fall means cooler weather. Cooler weather also means changes around the house and outside the house. So this week we’re looking at what changes you can make around your home in order to prepare for fall. 

We'll start by taking a tour outside since the weather is still warm. 

Exterior/Outside

• Clean and Inspect Gutters

You will want to clean and inspect your gutters. Summer rains can be crazy as we all know and it leads to a lot of wind blown debris on top of your roof and in your gutters. Which isn't a problem, at least until it's blocked by ice and that causes cracks, or tearing away from your house. And those issues then cause water damage.

So for this one the best time of year to do this is spring and fall. Spring to catch anything that winter tossed onto your roof and fall to catch any issues from Summer.  

• Check Roof for Damage and Clean Debris

While you're up there and looking at your gutters, you should also take a look around at your roof. You want to check for any damage and get rid of any debris while you're at it. As we mentioned summer in Texas often means hail and high winds so it's better to check now. This ensures that your roof is ready for winter weather and you can schedule any repairs if they're necessary. 

• Trim Trees and Shrubs

You'll want to contact an arborist, tree trimmer, or landscaper to take a look at your trees and shrubs. Although we try to keep up with our lawns during summer we don't always pay as much attention to trees and bushes. If you take care of it now not only does it keep any branches from causing damage during a storm, it also keeps vegetation away from the house which helps to keep out pests. 

• Inspect and Seal Cracks in the Foundation

Once your back down on the ground, take some time to walk around and look closely at your foundation. You want to look for any cracks that have formed due to heat and settling. This is again another preventative measure before we head into winter. Not only will you stop mold growth, you can also stop water from seeping in and causing Foundation damage. Just as the water in your freezer will expand, it will expand in any cracks in your foundation. Over time this will cause deeper cracks and breakage which is a massive trouble.

• Winterize Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler Systems

During the summertime, you have probably taken the time to care for your lawn, keeping it well-trimmed and watered throughout the summer. Now, you may have done this with a simple garden hose and faucet on the outside of your house, or you may have a sprinkler system built outside to make the task a little more hands-off to keep you out of the heat. However, these pipes run the same risks as those inside your house, and may burst when exposed to freezing weather. So, while the weather is still warm enough to go work on them, it is a good idea to take some time to winterize these systems so you can avoid a costly burst and water leak out into your yard.

• Store or Cover Outdoor Furniture

Sitting outside and enjoying some time on your porch, or having a table outdoors for cookouts is a great thing in the summertime. However, these pieces of furniture, while pretty robust, are not made for harsh conditions and extreme weather. With that in mind, it will usually be best to store them in a shed or a garage until the springtime, or, if you don’t have the ability to do that, cover them with some sort of tarp or weather-proof sheet to keep them safe from ice, freezing rain, and snow during the coldest months of the year.

• Check Weatherstripping on Doors and Windows

Your home’s electricity bill is usually driven up by whatever climate controls you have in the house. Air conditioning during the summer and heaters during the winter can seriously impact how much you have to shell out on your utility bill. With that in mind, you should take the time to check your weatherstripping so that you can save as much as possible. Often, the seals on your doors and windows will be made of rubber, since it offers the best protective sealing for its cost. But, with it being near those openings, it also degrades over time, and will need some fixing or replacement every now and again. A little work to fix your weatherstripping now can save a lot on your utility bills later!

2. Garage

• Organize and Clean the Garage

Summer projects mean a lot of things coming in and out of the garage, and sometimes objects haphazardly thrown in just to get them out of the way for a bit. While it may seem daunting, taking a day or two to organize and clean the garage will help you out a lot when it comes to getting ready for wintertime. It can open up room for you to store things like mowers and outdoor furniture, and it makes it to where there’s less nooks and crannies for pests to hide when they decide that your house seems like the perfect way to get away from the cold. Cleaning the garage now means you’re far less likely to have mice later on in the winter!

• Inspect Garage Door and Lubricate Moving Parts

Your garage door is something you probably expect to just work, regardless of the situation. Like all machines, though, it has some natural wear and tear over time. Checking it out and making sure it’s maintained can save you some headaches when the first freeze of the season hits, or, if you lose power during the wintertime, it makes sure you can still manually open and close the garage with relatively little effort. Just like the rest of this list, a little work now will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

3. Kitchen

• Deep Clean Appliances (Oven, Refrigerator, Dishwasher)

Doing a deep clean of your appliances is something people usually think of when it’s time for spring cleaning. However, it is just as important and useful to do some cleaning before winter sets in. It’ll help your machines run more efficiently, once again saving you money on that all-too-important utility bill, and helps prevent nasty odors coming from something when you’re cooped up in the house during the coldest months. With that in mind, though, we’d like to bring special attention to the oven in particular. Chances are, you’re going to be running the heater, and trying to make good warm meals whenever you can. Taking the time to deep clean your oven can reduce the chance of any fire hazards, which is of the utmost importance when you’re going to be actively trying to warm up the house.

• Check and Clean Range Hood and Filter

Similar to our last paragraph and its focus on the oven, we would like to bring up the hood over your range. Checking out the air filter in it, and replacing it if needed, can help you a lot when it comes to preventing any grease buildup. Once again, this is done in the interest of fire safety, with an additional bonus of improved air quality in the home, which is hugely important when you want to stay in instead of braving the weather outside.

• Inspect and Replace Water Filters

There’s a good chance you won’t be going to the store as often during the winter. Be it because you just don’t want to toss on a coat, or because the roads are iced over, going and getting things like bottled water can be a hassle deemed not worth it during the frigid depths of wintertime. So, while you have the chance, make sure to check your water filters. Whether you have a filter pitcher, a filter for your sink taps, or a water dispenser on your fridge, it’s good to check them and switch out the filter media if you need, to make sure you have good, clean water for the winter.

4. Living Room

• Clean and Inspect Fireplace

Let’s face it, you probably haven’t even looked at your fireplace since the weather warmed up back in the springtime. However, with winter approaching, you’re going to need to use it again, and you don’t want to take the risk that it’s stopped up with soot from last winter. So, take the time now to clean the fireplace, and inspect it for damage, that way it works safely and you can live with the ease of mind that brings.

• Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

With central heating, fireplaces, space heaters, or all three turned on in the winter, the risk of fires is going to be higher than normal. This is simply a fact of life with the season. So, taking the time to make sure that your home’s safety equipment is working correctly is best done now, before it is needed. When it comes to things like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, ease of mind and the safety of you and your household take precedence. Test them now well in advance, and you can rest easy knowing that should a disaster occur, your safety equipment is functioning and keeping you protected.

5. Bathrooms

• Check for Leaks and Inspect Caulking

Water damage is never fun to deal with, and when it comes to things like your bathroom, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially during the winter months where water leaks are a higher risk than normal. A little time spent checking the caulking in your bathrooms can help a lot in the long run, and help prevent you and your home from having to deal with things like water damage, mildew, and mold during the winter.

6. Bedrooms

• Rotate and Flip Mattresses

Rotating and flipping your mattresses is a good practice to help keep your mattress from having  divots and uneven wear from how you sleep. While we’re doing work to get the house ready for winter, it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and make sure your mattresses are flipped and rotated, just to go ahead and get the chore out of the way for a while.

• Test and Clean Ceiling Fans

• Why: Prepares fans to run in reverse for winter, helping to circulate warm air.

• Chances are, you’ve been using your ceiling fans during the summer. However, now is a good time to make sure that, if they can run in reverse, they’re able to do so without issue. As well, take the time to clean the dust from them, that way when you run them in reverse to help circulate warm air through the room, they’re not also spreading dust around.

7. Attic/Basement

• Inspect Insulation and Ventilation

The attic is often a warm and dry place during the summer, what with the sun beating down on it all the time. However, it’s still good to check that it is insulated properly, as a cold attic can cool the entire house, which isn’t great when you’re trying to keep everyone warm and happy. As well, an improperly insulated attic can have more issues with moisture buildup and leaks, causing slow but significant damage to your home.

• Check for Pests

Pests will want to come into your house during the wintertime. Simply put, if it’s cold, they’re going to find whatever hovel they can hide in. With critters like rodents and termites being risks, this is something you want to catch early before it becomes a serious issue. Go ahead and take the time to check for pests now, and take appropriate measures to ensure they’re all gone before the winter hits. If there are already critters in your home, chances are, they’re going to have a lot more friends come in during winter.

8. HVAC System

• Replace or Clean Air Filters

As the weather cools down, it’s easy to overlook the importance of clean air filters. However, clogged or dirty filters can force your HVAC system to work overtime.This drives up your energy costs and puts unnecessary strain on the system. Plus, with temperatures getting cold, you’ll be spending more time indoors, and good air quality is essential.  By replacing or cleaning the filters now, you’ll ensure your system is running efficiently and your home has cleaner air. 

Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection

Before winter hits, it's crucial to make sure your heating system is ready for the demands of the colder months. Scheduling a professional HVAC inspection now can save you from costly repairs down the road. A technician can catch any small issues before they become big problems, ensuring your system runs smoothly and efficiently when you need it most. Plus, no one wants to deal with a broken heater on a chilly day, so it's better to be proactive and prepared.

As fall settles in, taking care of these essential maintenance tasks will help keep your home cozy, energy-efficient, and ready for the colder months ahead. From improving air quality to safeguarding against costly repairs, a little preparation now can save you time, money, and headaches when winter arrives. And remember, if you need help with any appliances along the way, our team at Appliance Rescue Service is always here to ensure your home runs smoothly, no matter the season.

Website

Call ((214) 599-0055) 

Additional Reading
Halloween Horrors In Your Home? 

Taking the Pain Out Of Melted Plastic

Why Does My Oven Keep Flipping the Circuit Breaker? 

Quick and Cozy: Beef and Veggies with a Sesame Twist

A quick and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

After a long day, nothing beats a dish that feels like a warm hug. You have the scent of garlic in the air, mingling with sesame oil, rich scents hinting at the delicious dinner to come. Tender beef sizzling next to a variety of vegetables, each adding their own balance to the savory flavor. Then you top it with a dash of soy sauce, a sprinkle of sesame and nest it on a bed of rice. And the best part? It comes together in just a few steps, so you can unwind after a long day at work. Ready to make tonight’s meal something truly special? Let’s get started.

Tools:

Fry pan with lid

Knife

Cutting board

Measuring spoons 

Tongs

Ingredients 

1 pound beef (your choice of cut)

1 yellow onion

1 bunch green onions

3 mini sweet peppers (or 1 sweet bell pepper)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons white sesame seeds

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

6 ounces baby spinach 

Salt and pepper to taste

As always, remember to wash your produce!

Since we're working with both fresh vegetables and raw meat, it's a good rule of thumb to work with the vegetables first to prevent cross contamination. Everything will be cooked in this dish, but it's better to get into the habit and stay in it, rather than realize later you've goofed and have to stop to wash everything before you can continue chopping.

Add your sesame oil to the pan and set the heat to medium-high. Allow it to heat up while you mince your garlic. You could also just use the jarred stuff, whatever you like best. Add it to the pan once the oil has had a chance to get hot.

Dice up your yellow onion and add it in, then slice your bunch of green onions into thin rounds (omit the roots and any sad looking, wilty ends of the shoots) and add that to the pan. Give everything a stir to get a little oil on it all, and let it cook while you move on to the next item.

Remove stems and seeds from your sweet peppers. Slice them however you like - we chose minis and cut them into rounds - and add them to the pan. 

Now that the vegetables are finished, take your chosen cut of beef to the cutting board.  Trim any excess fat and slice the meat into strips, or cut it into small chunks if you'd rather. The only goal here is small pieces with minimal fat that will cook through quickly and evenly.

Add the beef to the pan, measure in your sesame seeds, stir to evenly distribute everything, and put the lid on the pan.

Allow it to cook undisturbed for at least two minutes, at which point you can remove the lid, add your soy sauce, and check the beef for doneness. Depending on the size of the pieces, you may need more direct cooking time.

While the beef is still a little on the rare side, add your spinach, put the lid back on the pan, and remove it from the heat. We want to allow the trapped heat to wilt the spinach and finish cooking the beef. This should only take between two and four minutes.

Add a little salt and pepper, maybe even some more soy sauce, depending on your family's preferences, and serve over rice.

With dinner served and the scent of sesame still lingering in the air, it’s easy to appreciate the simple pleasures of a homemade meal. This dish,  is proof that it doesn’t take much effort to make an amazing Meal. With its tender beef and well-seasoned veggies, its also an easy way to get lots of vegetables into your diet, without having to stress. Enjoying it with family, or as a quiet night to yourself, this recipe makes a great addition to the rotation, that you can enjoy any time of year.. So, next time you’re looking for a comforting, flavorful meal, remember this one—and let it bring a little warmth to your evening.

And just as this meal brings comfort and ease to your evening, our team at Appliance Rescue Service is here to ensure your home runs just as smoothly. From routine maintenance to those unexpected repairs, we’ve got you covered so you can focus on what truly matters—like whipping up delicious dinners for your loved ones. Next time you need anything, remember to give us a call. We’re here to help keep your kitchen and your home in perfect working order.

Website
Call ((214) 599-0055)

Additional Reading

Comfort Food: Smoked Sausage and Egg Noodles
Sensational Apple Pork

Berry Bliss: A Delectable Mixed-Berry Clafouti Recipe

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

From Summer to Fall: Thai Curry Sweet Potatoes You’ll Love

A flavorful twist on a fall classic that will keep you coming back for more.

Even as the summer sun lingers, our taste buds are leaping ahead to the cozy comforts of fall.It’s still August, but we’re craving fall foods already. We want warm, cozy dishes and sweater weather already! With that in mind, we came up with this recipe for sweet, savory and subtly spicy sweet potatoes.  These have a lot of wiggle room to make them your own, that is sure to become a family favorite. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

1 cup coconut milk

+/- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Sea salt to taste

Tools:

Peeler

Knife 

Cutting board

Stock pot

Colander

Potato masher

Measuring cups and spoons

Square baking dish

Spoon

As always, please wash the produce! You don't need dirt in your dinner. We're going to peel these anyway, but dirt on the outer surface can still transfer during the peeling process.

Grab the vegetable peeler and peel the sweet potatoes. Move them to the cutting board and rough chop them. Make sure you're using a very sharp knife and keeping your hands clear, as fresh sweet potatoes are dense and can be difficult to cut.

Transfer them to the stock pot and add enough water to cover. Put the pot on the burner, crank it up to medium-high, and let the water come up to boil. Cook your sweet potatoes until they're soft enough to mash.

Keep in mind that the smaller you cut your sweet potatoes, the quicker they'll cook. We had fairly large pieces that took about 15 minutes at full boil to soften. Yours may be ready in 10 minutes, or take 20 or more. The simplest option is to just test a piece each time you stir, and cut the heat when you can cut through the piece with the edge of the spoon.

Once the sweet potatoes are soft, use a colander and drain out the water. Return them to the pot and take the potato masher to them. You can mash them until they're creamy or leave them lumpy, whatever you prefer. In this case, we mashed them a little longer than we usually would and got to a very-small-lumps kind of consistency. 

Before the sweet potatoes lose too much of their retained heat, toss in those two tablespoons of butter and mash the butter into the sweet potato. Measure in your Thai red curry paste and stir it in very thoroughly. The red curry paste has a bit of a kick; you may end up with a hot spot in your sweet potato if you don't ensure a complete mix.

Once the curry paste is mixed, pour in the coconut milk and stir until you have one uniform consistency.

Transfer everything into the square baking dish - there's no need to grease the dish in this case - and level it with the back of the spoon. 

After smoothing it out to a level surface and making sure to get it right up to the edges of the dish, measure your brown sugar and sprinkle it lightly over the top of the sweet potato mix. Adjust the amount down if you want a savory dish, or add a little extra if you're so inclined. Add a little sea salt at this stage if you'd like.

Turn on the broiler and set the baking dish close to the heating element. Broil at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.

After the 15 minutes are up, the dusting of sugar across the top should have caramelized. If it hasn't, feel free to keep it on broil a little while longer, but be careful not to scorch it. No toasted marshmallows in this dish.

When the sugar is fully caramelized to your liking, carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and set it to cool; don't try to serve any until it's had at least a few minutes' rest. You'll end up with some runny, sad sweet potatoes if you don't allow them to steam and settle.

And there you have it! A delightful twist on classic mashed sweet potatoes, infused with the bold flavors of Thai red curry and the richness of coconut milk. Whether you're serving it as a standout side dish or the main event, this recipe is sure to impress with its unique blend of sweetness and spice.

If you're looking to keep your kitchen running smoothly, don't forget that our team at Appliance Rescue Service is here to help with all your appliance repair needs. From ovens to refrigerators, we make sure everything's working like a charm so you can keep creating delicious dishes just like this one. Bon appétit!

Website

Call (214) 599-0055

Additional Reading

Punchy Potato & Cheddar Rolls  

Sausage Bread to Get You Rolling 

Sweet Veggie Tropical Curry