5 Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Essential Home Systems

Your home appliances work harder than you think. Every day, they quietly keep your food fresh, clothes clean, and spaces comfortable. But like anything that works hard, they need care to keep performing their best. 

The difference between appliances that last five years versus fifteen often comes down to simple maintenance habits. Most people wait until something breaks before paying attention to their appliances. That’s expensive thinking. A little attention now saves you from major headaches later. 

These five tips will help you squeeze every year of life from your most essential home systems.

Clean Those Refrigerator Coils

Your refrigerator has coils on the back or underneath that release heat. When dust builds up on these coils, your fridge works overtime to stay cool. This extra effort shortens its lifespan and drives up your energy bills.

Pull your refrigerator away from the wall every three months. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove dust and pet hair from the coils. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, clean them monthly. 

Get Dryer Repair for Your Dryer’s Moving Parts

Your dryer has belts and sensors that wear out over time. Listen for unusual noises like squealing or thumping. These sounds often mean the drum belt is wearing out. Replace worn belts before they break completely and leave you with a dryer full of wet clothes.

Temperature sensors keep your dryer from overheating. If your clothes are taking longer to dry or coming out too hot, the sensor might need professional dryer repair. Clean the sensor with a soft cloth and check that nothing is blocking the exhaust vent outside your home. If these issues persist, call professional services.

Keep Your Washing Machine Happy

Your washing machine filter catches lint, coins, and small items that could damage the pump. Most people forget this filter exists until their machine starts acting up. Check your owner’s manual to locate the filter, then clean it every month.

Look at the hoses behind your washing machine twice a year. Feel along their length for soft spots, cracks, or bulges. These are signs the hoses need replacing before they burst and flood your laundry room. Replace rubber hoses every five years, even if they look fine.

Home Gas Appliance Repair to Maintain Gas Appliances Safely

Gas appliances need special attention for both performance and safety. Check the flame color on your gas stove burners. Blue flames are good, while yellow or orange flames suggest the burners need cleaning, adjustment or home gas appliance repair.

• Keep burner ports clear of spills and debris
• Wipe up spills immediately to prevent clogging
• Have gas lines inspected annually for leaks
• Never ignore the smell of gas

Clean your gas range regularly to prevent grease buildup that can affect burner performance. Remove burner grates and drip pans for thorough cleaning.

Give Your Dishwasher Attention

Your dishwasher has a filter at the bottom that catches food particles. When this filter gets clogged, your dishes don’t get clean and your dishwasher has to work harder. Remove the bottom dish rack and unscrew the cylindrical filter. 

Rinse it under hot water and scrub away any stuck food with an old toothbrush. The type of detergent you use matters more than you might think. Powder detergents can leave residue that builds up over time. Liquid detergents rinse cleaner and cause fewer problems.