Most breakdowns we repair were preventable a year earlier — a $200 vent cleaning that becomes a $600 element job, a $15 hose that becomes a flooded laundry room. Work through this checklist once a year and you'll dodge the majority of appliance emergencies. Do the safe items yourself; leave the rest to us.
Refrigerator: coils, seals, water
- Vacuum the condenser coils (front grille or rear panel) — caked dust is the top cause of overworked compressors and warm fridges.
- Bill-test every door seal — close the door on a bill; replace seals that let it slide out.
- Swap the water filter on schedule and check the ice-maker line for kinks or corrosion.
Washer and dryer: hoses, vents, filters
- Replace rubber washer hoses older than five years with braided steel — burst hoses are the costliest floods we see.
- Clean the dryer vent path yearly and confirm strong outdoor airflow. Never skip this one.
- Wash the lint screen with soap and water — invisible dryer-sheet film chokes airflow even when it looks clean.
- Clear the washer filter and run a hot empty cycle with washer cleaner to kill odor and mold.
Dishwasher and cooking: filters, ignition, calibration
- Rinse the dishwasher filter monthly and check the spray arms spin freely.
- Test every cooktop burner — weak or clicking ignition gets worse, never better.
- Oven thermometer test: a $10 oven thermometer reveals sensor drift years before it ruins a holiday roast.
Safety rules that are never optional
Unplug an appliance before removing any panel. Never bypass a thermal fuse or safety thermostat — they trip for a reason. Smell gas? Ventilate, leave, call your utility first. See scorch marks, melted plugs, or breakers tripping? Stop and call a pro; those are the faults that start fires.
Want the whole list done for you? Our preventive maintenance visit covers all of it in 90 minutes — or call +1 (202) 555-0146 to book.
