The cheapest repair is the one you never need. A little routine maintenance keeps your appliances running longer, trims your energy bills, and heads off the breakdowns that push people to replace a machine years too early. Here’s how to get the most life out of each one.

Wondering how long yours should last? See our repair-or-replace guide for typical lifespans by appliance.

Refrigerator

• Clean the condenser coils twice a year — dusty coils are the #1 reason a fridge runs hot or quits early.
• Check the door seals — if a dollar bill slides out easily when shut in the door, the gasket needs replacing.
• Keep it about three-quarters full for good airflow; set the fridge to ~37°F and the freezer to 0°F.
• Replace the water filter about every 6 months.

See also: repair or replace your refrigerator.

Washing machine

• Clean the drain filter every month or two (front-loaders) to prevent drainage problems and odor.
• Leave the door open between loads so the drum dries — this prevents mold and smells.
• Run a hot tub-clean cycle monthly, don’t overload, and keep the machine level to protect the bearings.
• Inspect the fill hoses yearly and replace cracked ones before they burst.

See also: repair or replace your washing machine.

Dryer

• Clean the lint screen every load, and the full vent duct at least once a year — this is the single most important dryer task, for both efficiency and fire safety.
• If clothes take more than one cycle to dry, check for a clogged vent first.
• Wipe the moisture-sensor bars inside the drum so auto-dry works correctly.

See also: repair or replace your dryer.

Dishwasher

• Clean the filter at the bottom monthly — a clogged filter is the top cause of poor cleaning and odor.
• Run an empty cycle with dishwasher cleaner monthly, and wipe down the door gasket.
• Scrape rather than pre-rinse, and use rinse aid for better drying.

See also: repair or replace your dishwasher.

Oven, range & cooktop

• Clean up spills promptly — baked-on grease can damage elements and igniters.
• Check and replace worn door seals so the oven holds temperature.
• For gas, keep the burner ports clear so they light cleanly; for glass cooktops, use flat-bottomed cookware.

See also: repair or replace your oven or range.

When maintenance isn’t enough

If something already isn’t working right, don’t wait — a small problem caught early is usually a small, inexpensive repair. Our technician will diagnose it and give you a straight repair-or-replace recommendation. And if a unit truly is beyond its life, we sell brand-new appliances (never used or refurbished) so you can replace it in one stop.

Want it handled for you? Our Maintenance Membership Plan includes regular tune-ups — and members are covered by a warranty for the life of the appliance as long as they stay enrolled.

Call (817) 900-8324 Schedule Online

Repair-or-replace guide · Appliance repair FAQ