THE IMPORTANT DOS AND DON’TS OF APPLIANCE REPAIR

Calling out a repairer for your appliance issues costs an average of Ksh.20,000. Depending on the specific problem, you could end up paying as much as Ksh.38,000. If you’re not careful, these repair costs can add up throughout the year. So, it is tempting to try to save some cash with DIY appliance repairs. But, before you rush into trying to handle an issue yourself, you need to understand the dos and don’ts of DIY appliance repair. This will help you to appreciate whether it is worth it to attempt the repair yourself or if you need to call in the professionals.

Do Perform Maintenance to Minimize Repair Issues

Keeping up with your appliance maintenance will help to minimize repair issues. Ensuring your refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove, and other appliances are operating properly will help to avoid potentially costly repairs.

Regular checks will also help to maximize the lifespan of your appliances. So, create a proper cleaning and maintenance schedule for each of your appliances. Consult your owner’s manuals for the recommended DIY maintenance and keep your manuals on hand.

Don’t Overlook Simple Troubleshooting

While it may be tempting to tackle any appliance repair project, you could end up costing yourself more if you move outside your area of expertise. Generally, it is a good idea to keep the repairs simple. Look out for straightforward issues such as blockages or out of place temperature controls that are easy to deal with.

Even if you have superb DIY confidence, don’t overlook these simple issues before you start taking anything apart. This will help to avoid wasting time and effort, as you may find the cause of the issue more easily by ruling out the simple issues first.

Do Determine the Costs First

You need to make sure that any repair is worth the cost. You should assess if it is cost effective to attempt a repair yourself or even if it is worth fixing at all. Generally speaking, if the cost of an appliance repair is 50% or more of the cost of a new appliance, a repair is not worthwhile. You will also need to think about the cost of your time and any necessary tools. There is no point in taking days off work to tackle a serious repair issue when a professional repair specialist could have it done in a couple of hours.

Bear in mind that the cost of replacement parts for older appliances tends to be higher than the models currently available. So, don’t assume that you will be able to buy parts cheaply. Cost out the parts before you even attempt a repair to make sure it is financially viable.

Don’t Invalidate Your Warranty

Before you start any repair, it is crucial that you check your warranty. If your appliance still has coverage, you could invalidate your warranty simply by unscrewing the housing. If you find your warranty is still valid, you need to ensure that any repairs are performed by an authorized technician.

Do Be Realistic About the Age of Your Appliance

Even with the best care and attention, no appliance will last forever. The exact lifespan of your appliance will depend, typically dishwashers last 9 years, washers, 10 years, and refrigerators, dryers and stoves can last up to 13 years. While you can extend the life expectancy, once your appliance is reaching the end of this timespan, you will need to think carefully about whether a repair is economically viable.

Don’t Overestimate Your Abilities

While you may feel like you can tackle anything, you don’t want to get out of your depth and find yourself surrounded by appliance components with no idea of what to do next. So, don’t overestimate your abilities and be realistic about what you can and can’t do. If you’re not sure about how to proceed with a repair, you could actually make things worse, increasing the cost of the repair. While it is tempting to just have a go, don’t start a repair unless you are sure it is within your abilities to complete the job.

Do Consider Calling in a Pro

If you’re confident the issue is a simple repair, then you’re likely to be okay to take a DIY approach. But, if you’re not sure, do consider calling in a professional. Some repairs will require the skills, expertise, and tools that a professional technician can provide. An experienced pro can also quickly determine the best repair method to expedite the process and get your appliance up and running again.

Other Appliance Repair Considerations

Before you start a DIY appliance repair, you need to know what is required. Think about all the options before you begin. Even if you are confident that you can complete the work yourself, do you have access to replacement parts and have the money on hand to buy the necessary components?

It is also important to check that you have the necessary tools and equipment for the repair. If you don’t, you’ll need to think about whether it is worthwhile to purchase the tools or if it would be more cost effective to call in a professional technician. Some tools are highly specialized, so you may find that you use them once and won’t need them again for years. Whereas a professional technician will use these tools every week, so will always have them on hand.

It may be a good idea to get a repair quote, and then you can work out if you would prefer to do the work yourself or simply pay a technician. You may be surprised at how reasonable the repair bill will be, and you can save yourself some hassle.

Some DIY knowledge can be helpful for basic maintenance and repair of your home appliances. For other issues, you can rely on the knowledge and experience of a professional repair technician to provide an effective solution. If you are having issues with your home appliances, be sure to speak to an experienced home appliance repair specialist.