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Techster's Tips
Have you ever called your computer help line only to be told that restarting your computer will fix that pesky e-mail problem? If so, you can probably appreciate how handy it is to have some tricks up your sleeve when your vital appliances go on the fritz. Here at Home-Tech, we specialize in knowing how to fix just about everything right and are always happy to get there fast when a customer in distress calls. But, for those of you who like to try to fix simple issues yourself first (or impress the ladies!), I'm here to offer up some of the simple tricks we've learned over the years.
What's the 911?
Bakers give their ovens a workout. But what do you do when your cookies won't, well, cook? If you can't get the heat you desire from your range, take a deep breath, chill and check the following:
1. The circuit breaker. A quick flip of the switch could have you back in business. 2. The plug. Has your plug come loose from the wall or fallen out? Pop it back in. 3. The owners' manual. Sometimes manufacturers build in special safety features to prevent units from running or have special tricks to try when things go wrong. 4. Check the other plug. If one of your burners isn't feeling the burn, make sure it is plugged in and seated properly.
And of course, the old restart method may work for your range, too, if blinking, buzzing or flashing is the problem. Still having problems? No worries, just give us a call.
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What's the 911? Part 2
I just love the bustle of activity around town as seasonal residents return and friends and family come to escape their icy climes. If you're the type with lots of loved ones who prefer palm trees to evergreens, you know what this season brings… laundry!
With your hamper piling up fast, you may be worried about what to do if your washer or dryer stops and the only clean thing you've got left is a left sock. Never fear – here are a few tips from our techs to get your load spinning:
• Plugs and breakers. Sometimes all that moving and shaking your machines do can loosen plugs or short a circuit. Making sure they are firmly plugged in, and try resetting the breaker by turning it off and then back on. • Close the lid. Some machines will not work if their lids or doors are not completely closed as a safety feature. • Are the clean machines clean? If your dryer is taking longer than normal to dry clothes, your lint vent may need cleaning. (Note: Home-Tech does not clean dryer vents, but recommends Amerovent.)
As always, if these fixes don't work, give us a ring and we'll be there fast!
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Stay cool!
Keeping cold food cold is important – especially in Florida . Next to air conditioners, a good refrigerator may be the second biggest necessity in your home. And, a malfunction can cause it to meltdown. But before you get too hot under the cauliflower, give these a try:
• Ice not dispensing? Make sure the arm is fully in the down position and check to make sure those Thanksgiving leftovers you forgot about aren't propping it up, preventing it from going down all the way. Also, check to make sure water is in the dispenser. If not, you may need to reconnect the water supply to the refrigerator. • Alternately, if the ice won't stop, make sure the door is closed all the way. If you're having problems with an in-door dispenser, make sure the flap is closing all the way and nothing is stuck in it. • Refrigerator making a ruckus? Check to see if something is stuck in the fan. • Sprung a leak? First, determine whether the problem is with your icemaker or refrigerator. If the icemaker is the culprit, shut it off under the sink or turn the valve on the back of your refrigerator to the right. • Refrigerator not well, refrigerating? Assuming your refrigerator has light (and therefore, has power); check the control to make sure it's turned down to a cool temperature. 38 – 40 degrees is recommended for fresh food; zero degrees for the freezer. You may need to give the refrigerator a bit of time to cool to this temperature if it's just been adjusted. You may also check or reset your circuit breaker.
As always, if one of these quick tips doesn't solve the problem, give us a call. Our techs are not only trained to service most makes and models, but understand and appreciate the noble service a refrigerator provides. And if you've got a service agreement, you're covered and cool as a cucumber.
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Bust a move!
Sometimes I really miss the 90s and those classic dances – the running man, the Roger Rabbit, the sprinkler. In fact, whenever I load my dishwasher, if no one is around, I still do a round of the sprinkler while I think about the spinning streams of hot water and soap powering my dishes clean. Reminiscing gets a little hard when my machine's on the outs, though. Luckily, Home-Tech's techs have given me a few tips…
• Overfill with soap? Run a cycle with a little vinegar and water to cut down the suds. • Been a while? Sometimes when washers aren't run for longer periods the motor freezes and a technician will need to free it. • Got a lake on your kitchen floor? If your machine is leaking when you aren't using it, try shutting off the appropriate valve under the sink. If it's leaking while you're using it…stop, and call Home-Tech. • Got a lake on the floor of the washer? A little water in the bottom of dishwashers is normal, but if it doesn't drain at all and you've had your disposal changed recently, you may check to be sure the knockout was removed during that installation.
Remember, Home-Tech's fast and trained technicians can also get your machine fixed and you back on memory lane if you need a little help. Let us know what kind of machine you have though, so we send the right tech for the job. ###
Hey, gang, this post is a two-fer!
As you may have guessed from my name, I am in awe of technology. I can't imagine my life without the small daily conveniences like garbage disposals and microwaves. Small conveniences we sometimes take for granted…until they don't work. What to do when you're suddenly down a small appliance you don't know how to live without? Call Home-Tech, of course! Or for an even faster fix, try these tips.
Garbage disposals: • Like that other household necessity that suctions our waste away, sometimes disposals get clogged and a little plunge is in order. Put a stopper in the other side of your sink, if you have one, to create more pressure and free the clog faster. • I'll admit it: I have put bits of chopped cooked broccoli down my disposal. I have also panicked when I flipped the on switch and got nothing but broccoli bits floating in water back. Luckily, I didn't break the disposal. I just needed to push the reset button located on the bottom of your disposal unit…and learn my lesson.
Can't get your microwave to see the light? First, check the plug to make sure it's firmly plugged in. Next, check and try resetting the breaker. If neither of those works, unplug the unit and check the bulb. If it needs to be changed, do so before plugging the microwave back in.
If these tips don't fix your problem, there's still light at the end of the tunnel. Just give Home-Tech a call and they'll send one of our techs-perts right over. And, if you're a service agreement customer, chances are good there won't be a charge.
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