Common Questions about Home Appliance Repairs in Kanata

Refrigerators | Ranges | Dishwasher | Clothes Washer | Clothes Dryer

Refrigerators

What is the standard operating temperature?

The refrigerator section of your unit normally operates at around 3 degree Celsius (38 degrees Fahrenheit). In the freezer, the temperature should be around -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Noisy refrigerator?

While it may surprise some, newer refrigerators use an ozone-friendly (non-Freon) refrigerant that does create some gurgling sounds, especially at the start up and end cycles.

Why are my fruits and vegetables drying out quickly?

If your fruits or vegetables are drying out quickly, it’s important to remember that any type of food will lose moisture in the fridge if it is not covered properly.

Why does my food have freezer burn?

Freezer burn usually occurs on foods stored in the freezer for longer than six months. The buildup of crystals on the exterior of the food items is the result of moisture escaping and freezing on the exterior. Freezer burn can also occur if food items are poorly wrapped.

My new refrigerator doors are very thick. Why is this?

In today’s energy-conscious world, manufacturers are always looking for new ways to increase the efficiency of home appliances. The larger doors allow for more insulation, which helps limit energy consumption.

You may also notice that the doors have a stronger seal. This is to stop air from leaking out that could otherwise be keeping foods cool.

Why is my refrigerator door difficult to open?

As mentioned in the previous answer, manufacturers are looking for newer ways to increase the energy efficiency of appliances. So, door springs have more tension in order to prevent air from leaking out of the freeze and refrigeration sections. Depending on the spring design, your door may also slam shut once it reaches the last few inches of being closed. While these features may be slightly inconvenient, they will save you money in the long run.

How do I move, transport or ship my refrigerator or freezer?

Refrigeration equipment should always be shipped in an upright position in order to avoid damage to the unit. If the unit must be laid down to allow for safe transportation, place it an upright position when you reach your destination and wait at least two hours (some say 24 hours) before plugging it in to the wall socket. If it happens to be unusually noisy when you start it up, you should call for service.

Is it okay to operate a freezer or refrigerator in a closet?

No. With the restricted airflow, the closet will get too hot and cause your compressor to overheat.

What type of extension cord should I use for my appliance?

Only extension cords designed especially for appliances should be used. Not only can an improper extension cord damage your appliance and void its warranty, it can also be a safety risk. Appliance extension cords can be purchased at most hardware stores. These are usually kept to a maximum length of 12 feet. Power bars and lawn mower cords should never be used to operate an appliance as they can cause the electrical system to overheat.

Ranges

Is it okay to wrap the element bowls with aluminum foil?

Wrapping element bowls in aluminum foil should be avoided due to the risk of electrical shock. Pre-made bowl inserts are available in the detergent section of most grocery stores. These are made of heavier gauge aluminum and do not carry the same risks.

Is it okay to wrap oven racks in aluminum foil?

This practice should be avoided since it can cause the oven’s airflow and temperature to become erratic.

Why are my element bowls and rings becoming discoloured?

Using oversized pots can deflect heat downward, causing the range top, element rings, or element bowls to overheat. You should always use pots that match the size of the element.

Why is my oven temperature incorrect?

Often times, incorrect oven temperature is due to old pans that are absorbing heat. If you suspect that it may be your oven’s thermostat, you can test it by using a purpose-made oven thermometer. The thermometer should be placed in the middle of the oven to avoid temperature variations near walls and heating coils.

My smoke detector goes off when I cook. Why is this?

Grease buildup and food particles underneath the elements can smoulder, creating smoke that triggers the smoke detector. When the elements are completely cooled, check underneath them for any signs of buildup.

Dishwasher

Why is my dishwasher not cleaning the dishes?

Commonly it isn’t a machine malfunction that is causing the dishes to not get clean, but improper loading practices. If your model has a filter or strainer, remove it, clean it, and restart your load. Also, check to make sure your water is hot enough to break up food particles and that your rinse additive dispenser is full.

My dishwasher isn’t cleaning as well as it did before. Why is this?

If this is a recent occurrence, first try a fresh box of detergent. Dishwasher detergents can go stale and may become ineffective. Only buy as much detergent as you will use in a three-month period.

How hot should the water in my dishwasher be?

To properly clean your dishes, the water temperature should be in the 50 to 60 degrees Celsius range (120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit). If the water temperature is less than this, you can expect less than shimmering results.

Some dishwashers will heat the water if the temperature is too low. While this may increase the cycle time, it will clean your dishes.

Why do I have grit or stains on my drinking glasses?

If your rinse additive container is empty or your dispenser is broken, this can cause your glasses to receive an incomplete rinse at the end of the cycle.

Why is my dishwasher sometimes noisy?

Sometimes, dishwasher water jets can cause plates, pots, pans, and glasses to bang together. This can be remedied by rearranging items in the dishwasher.

Why is the inside of my dishwasher turning pink?

Over time, dishes saturated in tomato-based foods can cause the inside of your dishwasher to become pinkish in colour. Don’t worry; the pink can be remedied using a stain removal product such as Glisten.

Clothes Washer

Why are my clothes covered in lint balls?

Technically known as “pilling,” lint balls may form on your clothes due to improper sorting. Clothes with natural fibres and synthetic fibres should never be put together in the wash.

What is that banging sound during my washer’s spin cycle?

While loose objects from pockets might make a pinging sound, heavy banging is usually the result of the load being out of balance, causing the tub to hit the sides of the cabinet.

My washer jumps during the spin. Why?

Jumps and skips are often caused by the washer being unlevel, uneven, overloaded, or the shipping material is still attached following delivery.

Why is the inside of my laundry washer turning gray?

Excessive cold water washing can cause buildup of old detergent inside the tub. This buildup can be removed by using a plastic cleaning pad or cleaning product such as Glisten

Clothes Dryer

Why is my dryer taking so long to dry?

Long drying times can result from dryer vents being too long (over 14 feet), or vents that have become blocked. We recommend using metal venting and to clean them out at least once a year. Residue from anti-static sheets can also block the filter and restrict airflow. This residue typically appears as a grayish film on the filter itself.

What does the automatic cycle setting do?

This setting accommodates for the size of the load and dries accordingly. This feature is a great way to reduce your operating costs and shorten the time between loads.

There is a hole in my lint screen. Can I still use it?

If a tear in your lint screen appears, it should be immediately replaced. A tear can cause your machine to operate erratically or cause damage that would be much more costly to repair.