DIY appliance repair may save you money, but it could cost you your family’s health and safety. Learn how to know when it is time to call the professional for these types of household repairs.
Doing your appliance repair on your own may seem like a good idea. After all,
it will save you money, right? Before you break open your dryer and start taking things apart, make sure you are up for the job. Attempting these types of repairs on your own when you do not know what you are doing could prove to be hazardous.
The first step in any repair is to find the owner’s manual. All appliances come with one of these, but often they are misplaced. If you cannot find yours, go online and see if it is available. They often are, but you may have to pay a small amount to receive it from the manufacturer. Regardless, this is an essential piece for any repairs.
Once you have the manual, take a look at the wiring diagram and other drawings that show how the machine works. If you cannot understand these and the solution to the problem is not obvious, it is time to call in a professional. Do not even attempt the solution on your own, because you will probably just make things worse.
If, however, you have some understanding of following wiring diagrams, study them, and then look at your machine. Can you easily spot the problem? If you can, and the fix does not require you to make too many steps or tearing into the machine too deeply, then go ahead and attempt to fix it. If not, it may be time to call a professional.
However, if you have a little technical know how of your own, you should not call an appliance repair professional until you have thoroughly troubleshot the problem. You can find a variety of forums and websites online to help you work through potential “easy fixes” to your problem, if these troubleshooting steps are not in the manual. For instance, if your dryer is suddenly not blowing very warm, you may find that the solution is as simple as a changed fuse. Calling in a professional to do this is wasted money if you know how to do it yourself.
If you cannot troubleshoot the problem or easily spot it on your own without tearing into your machine, then it is time to call in the big guns. There is a reason that appliance repair professionals take classes and get certified. There really are a lot of things to know when it comes to fixing these important machines. Doing so incorrectly can bring very serious consequences. Some consequences can be simply expensive, while others, such as those that occur when you mess up the wiring on a machine, can be life threatening.
Is it really worth risking your family’s health and safety to save a buck? No, it is not, so be ready to call the appliance repair professional in your area when you need to. But take the time to make sure you do need to first, so you are not left holding a bill for something simple.
