We don’t think about much we rely on the appliances in our home until something goes wrong and we need to think about oven repairs or dishwasher repairs. And sure, though we know that only a few decades ago, most of our ancestors made do just fine without these modern conveniences, we can’t help but feel a bit put out. In our busy lives, we have more to do than wash dishes by hand and the laundry is piling up! So what can we expect when we install a new appliance, in terms of its longevity, and how to keep it running for as long as possible? Sometimes oven repairs or washing machine repairs can be easy and other times it’s best to call in a professional to troubleshoot. And sometimes we just have to admit that it’s time to throw in the towel and invest in a new oven, dishwasher, washing machine, etc. Read on to find out more!
What Are the Lifespans of Most Common Household Appliances?
In theory, you should have about 15 years with a gas range oven before it’s time to think about purchasing a new one. Your refrigerator should have an average lifespan of around 13 years, as should your dryer (whether it’s electric or gas-powered). Your washing machine should have about 10 years before it’s time to start shopping around and your dishwasher ought to last at least nine years.
However, those numbers are in a perfect world and environment and it’s not likely that your appliances will last quite that long, especially if they get heavy and consistent use. Around 20% of dishwashers, for example, break in about three to four years. A quarter of washing machines that are front-loaders will also break in this timespan. Almost 40% of side-by-side refrigerator/freezers that come with an icemaker will break within three to four years and fridges with top or bottom freezers only fare just a little bit better — just under 30% of those break within three to four years.
How Can I Repair My Broken Appliances?
There are some easy fixes you can usually do yourself to your household appliances, although in most cases it’s better to leave it up to a professional oven repairs company or dryer repair company, for example. It may be as simple as ordering a new part, like a pump or fuse that will get your appliance working again. A professional will be able to troubleshoot for you, order the correct part, and install it for you once it comes in. In other cases, it may be that several components actually need repair — like in the case of leaks, for example. Although you could probably figure out the problem and order the right part yourself with the help of Internet DIY guides, you’ll save a lot of time and hassle if you let a technician come in and do it for you. (And no one wants their washing machine or refrigerator to be malfunctioning for an extended amount of time!)
Where Can I Find a Reliable Technician to Come Help Me?
There are plenty of resources online that can help you find a new oven repairs guy or someone to help with refrigerator repairs. You want a company that can give you quick, reliable, and friendly service that’s dependable. Many companies will have reviews up online (or a third party site will often review companies that provide services like these) that you can browse through to get a feel for what services they offer and how satisfied previous customers have been.
If you have friends or family in the area, they may also be a great source of information as to who you can call, having had previous experience with a company or particular technician before. Nothing like a personal referral to make you feel more at ease, after all!
If your dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine or dryer is on the fritz, consider hiring a repair serviceman to come troubleshoot and fix whatever’s gone wrong. It’ll be much easier than trying to do it yourself and your appliance will be fixed in no time!