Home Appliance Repair in Lubbock Texas

Questions to Ask About Repairing or Replacing A Major Appliance!

From The River to The House – A Brief History Of Laundry!

Appliance Repair in Lubbock Texas

When the washer does not work and washer repair is necessary, it is easy to become frustrated as the laundry piles up. Depending on the problem, and the wait for washer repair services, some may end up taking laundry to a laundromat. This is surely an inconvenience, but it is still easier than how people used to do the laundry before the invention of the washing machine! Laundry washing was quite a process back then, and just thinking about it might help struggling washer owners get through until their appliance repair is complete. Thankfully, when used properly, most washers require little in the way of home appliance repair.

Earliest Laundry Washing Techniques

Ancient people began washing their clothing in rivers and other bodies of water a long, long time ago. Clothes were washed by submerging them in water, then rubbing and twisting fabric to get the dirt out. Garments were also laid on rocks and beat with boards and rubbed with stones to get stains and ground in dirt out.

The Washboard and Bat

The process of washing laundry eventually moved from the riverside to the home, where people began washing their clothing in tubs and basins, using washboards and bats. Washboards started out as plain, wooden boards, but they eventually developed into boards that had ridges for scrubbing clothing on. Washboard bats were flat wooden bats made in different widths and sizes for use on different types of fabrics. The bats were used to slap and bat the clothing on the washboard, forcing the dirt out.

The Invention of Lye and Soap

For a long time laundry was just washed in water, until the habit of soaking it in water and lye - which was found to brighten dingy fabrics - was developed. Before lye, laundry was washed on an as-needed basis, which was only every few weeks or so. When lye soaking was introduced, because the soaking took days at a time, laundry washing turned into a seasonal spring and fall event in many societies, with intermittent scrubbings in between. With the invention of actual soap, laundry was soaked and scrubbed with that.

Throughout Medieval times, only the wealthiest people could afford to wash their clothing with soap or use other new techniques like bleaching, bluing, and starching. By the 1700s, almost everyone used soap and many of these other methods.

Hand washing clothing with washboards, bats, and soaking in lye and soap went on for a long time, until the invention of various machines that could soak, scrub and wash automatically. Today’s washing machines are complete with their many wash features and are the culmination of all these washing methods, made into one machine that can do them all.

When the washer is not behaving its best and appliance repair is necessary, it is easy to focus on the inconvenience this causes many households. People depend on their washing machines. Waiting a few days for washer repair services is probably still not as inconvenient as having to hand wash clothing on a washboard, or scrub it on a stone. Even if a few trips to the laundromat are necessary while waiting for washer repair, washing machines can usually be up and running again within a few hours. To avoid these situations, and the need to go to the laundromat or even consider using a washtub, proper washer use and care is recommended to prevent the need for home appliance repair!

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What Might Cause A Need For Microwave Oven Repair?

Appliance Repair in Lubbock Texas

Microwave ovens are relatively simple appliances that usually experience very few problems. That said, they are still machines and sometimes a microwave does require microwave repair services if it is not functioning properly. There are only so many things that can go wrong with a microwave that need appliance repair. Many times appliance owners can figure out what the problem is on their own, without making a call for home appliance repair. Checking the simple things is easy. If, after troubleshooting an oven it still does not work, then it is best to call for microwave repair.

Microwave Will Not Run

There are only so many reasons why a microwave will not run, the main one being that it is not getting power. Make sure the oven is plugged in, and if so, check that power is actually being delivered to the outlet. Ensure that there is not a popped circuit breaker, at the outlet or the circuit box, and reset if any breakers have been tripped or replace blown fuses. If there is power getting to the outlet and to the oven, check to make sure the door switch and the fan motor are both working properly, since the oven will not run unless they are. Check the voltage to both of these components with a voltmeter. If they are faulty, they should be replaced.

Microwave Runs But Does Not Cook

If the oven runs but does not cook food, there is a problem with the magnetron. A number of problems, from defective thermal cutoffs to a faulty diode or capacitor could be the reason why. All of these parts work with the magnetron so it can produce the microwaves required to cook food. They can also be easily checked with a voltmeter and replaced if necessary. Otherwise, the problem is likely related to the magnetron itself, which requires professional home appliance repair.

Microwave Cooks Unevenly or Too Slow

Uneven cooking is usually due to a problem with the turntable motor, which rotates food while the oven is working. This can easily be checked by turning the appliance over onto its top, unscrewing the protective grill on the bottom, then testing the motor with a voltmeter. The turntable motor is also easily replaced. Another reason why food might cook unevenly is if the microwave is not receiving enough voltage. The outlet should be tested to ensure that it is delivering at least 115 volts, which is what is required for the microwave to run properly. If any less voltage is being served, this could mean a problem with the service to the outlet, or in the home.

Oven Keeps Blowing Fuses During Use

The two main reasons why a microwave would continue to blow fuses during use are a bad door switch or a bad diode. Both can be checked as described above, with a voltmeter, and replaced if necessary. The magnetron could also be shorting out; however, that is a repair best left for microwave repair services.

Although some of these concerns may require professional microwave repair, the good news is that these few problems are generally the only problems that microwaves experience. Appliance owners can carefully try to determine which parts of their appliance are not working, calling for home appliance repair if necessary. It is best recommended, though, that any problems other than these few basic ones undergo professional appliance repair. Microwave repair services can get any oven functioning correctly quite easily, or recommend when a replacement would be the better option!

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A Brief History of Cooling and Food Preservation!

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Refrigerator problems are household emergencies that require immediate attention and sometimes a call for refrigerator repair services. There is a lot to lose when this important appliance is not working well, so refrigerator repair becomes a priority. Despite the fact that sometimes homeowners end up calling for home appliance repair, modern refrigerators do a much better job at extending the life of food than the methods of the past.

The concept of cooling food to preserve it is actually very old, but true refrigeration did not come about until more recently. Considering the long development of refrigeration and refrigerators, anyone dealing with appliance repair can hopefully look on the bright side when getting their appliance repaired.

Early Food Preservation Techniques

Long before the invention of refrigeration, man was preserving food in the only ways possible, using the elements provided by nature. These included cold streams, snow, and ice, and the eventual realization that food could even be kept cooler when stored in caves and underground areas. Around 1,000 BC, the Chinese figured out how to cut ice into blocks or chunks and use it in enclosures to keep food cool longer. Around 500 BC, the Egyptians and many Indian tribes had discovered how to make ice by freezing water in pots, using that ice to keep food preserved. These two basic, yet important ideas were the main ways that cold food storage was done until the invention of mechanical refrigeration.

Progression to the Ice Box

Until the 1700's, people stored sheets of ice by packing them in salt, wrapping them in flannel, then burying them in underground ice houses so they stayed frozen until summer. By the 1800's, people had insulated ice boxes in their homes where they could store naturally made ice purchased from ice houses. During this time period, the first studies on evaporation and its cooling effect were going on as well, with the invention of refrigeration not far behind.

Process of Refrigeration Is Born

Research on the idea of cooling through evaporation continued, and would eventually result in the very first evaporation unit used for cooling, built by Englishman William Cullen in 1755. The idea, which used a vacuum pump and diethyl ether, successfully created a small amount of ice; however, Cullen’s idea did not seem viable at the time. It was modified a number of times by different individuals, until the eventual invention of a system that could create cool air, and even freeze water, through the processes of evaporation and condensation.

Using methods developed by Englishman Michael Faraday and American John Gorrie, mechanical refrigeration was invented. Development progressed even further in the mid-1800s due to ice shortages caused by warmer weather. Gorrie’s refrigeration box that could make its own ice and blow cool air provided the basic idea behind what quickly became the first real refrigerators.

Although today’s refrigerators are vastly different than the first appliances that appeared in the 1800s, the basic principle on how it all works is still the same. Fortunately, today’s appliances are much more powerful and convenient, and easier to use. Modern refrigerators and freezer units also enable people to preserve much greater quantities of food, for much longer periods of time.

It is also easy to know when there is a problem with a modern refrigerator that requires refrigerator repair. When refrigerators cannot cool efficiently, or food begins to spoil sooner than it should, there could be a problem that suggests appliance repair may be necessary. Appliance owners can usually troubleshoot their refrigerators at home first, and avoid unnecessary refrigerator repair services. Refrigerators are essential home appliances that need immediate home appliance repair at the first sign of trouble, to reduce unnecessary food loss!

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Do You Know How to Troubleshoot and Repair Freezer Problems?

The freezer is the part of a refrigerator-freezer appliance that is more likely to experience problems, prompting a large percentage of calls for home appliance repair. Yet freezers are not very complicated, and many handy homeowners can troubleshoot a freezer problem with a little time and some detective work. In some cases homeowners can even get their freezers working properly again without having to call appliance repair techs in. By taking the time to troubleshoot problems, an appliance owner will know whether a call for freezer repair is actually necessary or not.

Understanding How A Freezer Works

Freezers work through a chemical reaction that occurs with the coolant inside the cooling condenser system. Coolant is compressed, then passed through the freezer compartment where it expands again, absorbing heat inside the compartment as it does. Uncompressed, warmer coolant then leaves the freezer compartment to continue through the cooling system, to be compressed again and start the entire process over. This basic, continuous process is what continues to draw heat out of the freezer, keeping the temperature lower.

When Freezers Do Not Keep Food Frozen

The main problem appliance owners experience with their freezer is food not actually being kept frozen. This means that for some reason the interior freezer compartment is not maintaining a cool enough temperature. There are a number of reasons why this can happen, such as the following, many of which are easy for homeowners to troubleshoot on their own before calling an appliance repair company for a freezer repair:

Improperly Set Temperature - Home appliance repair experts suggest that the simplest, and most obvious place to check first when the freezer is not functioning properly is the temperature setting. If it accidentally got bumped or changed somehow, this could be, and frequently is the problem. Set the freezer temperature correctly, depending upon the appliance, close the door for a little while, then test the interior temperature with a thermometer. It should read between 5 degrees and 0. If this is not the problem, check for other issues.
The Freezer Door - The freezer door can be responsible for poor cooling in a number of different ways. Make sure the door is properly aligned so that it closes squarely, and that there are not items inside the freezer pushing against the door, preventing it from fully sealing. Clean and inspect freezer door seals. If they are dirty, torn, or hardened, this could be the problem in preventing a tight seal, and letting warm air in.
Poorly Packed Freezer - How the freezer is packed can also affect its function. Always make sure there is space in front of the freezer vents to allow for air circulation, and avoid packing a freezer so full that air cannot circulate within the compartment. If cool air cannot circulate, and warmer air cannot be cooled, the freezer will not be able to keep things frozen.
Dirty Coils and Compressor - Dust and dirt collected on the refrigerator coils, compressor and motor can prevent the cooling system from getting as cool as it should, reducing the ability to freeze food and keep it frozen. When the freezer is behaving inefficiently, pull the refrigerator out, clean under and behind it, and clean off the coils, the condenser, and the motor so they can function properly. Make sure there is room for air circulation around the appliance, too.

Freezers that do not freeze are a common problem, but thankfully the problem is usually a simple one. If things do not improve after trying these quick troubleshooting methods, a call for freezer repair may be necessary. If so, appliance owners can at least mention the things they have already tried, helping home appliance repair techs to get a better idea of what the problem could be, and whether an actual appliance repair may be necessary!

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Do I Need Refrigerator Repair If It Runs Too Much?

Do You Know the Different Types of Garbage Disposals?

What You Need to Know About Front-Loading Washers!

Front load washing machines have become a favorite of many homeowners, and for many good reasons. Not only do they prevent the problems of getting that last sock out of the drum on a top loading washer, but they are also much more energy efficient. Yet to get the most from any front loading washer, it requires knowing the right way t use this machine, or an appliance owner could find themselves in need of washer repair. To prevent problems with top loading washing machines, and avoid unnecessary home appliance repair, just follow the simple tips referenced below!

Set the Machine Level

Front load washing machines operate differently than top load machines, and can vibrate more because of this. To avoid vibration and shaking, make sure the appliance is level on the floor, using the adjustable feet on the bottom to do so. If the machine still shakes during use, check to make sure the shipping bolts are not still in the bottom. Normally these are removed when the machine is set up, but if there is a vibration issue it could mean these bolts are still in place.

If after leveling the machine vibrational problems persist, a call to an appliance repair shop, and a washer repair may be necessary to get things set up the way they should be, and prevent future damage to the appliance.

Use the Right Detergent

Not all detergents are equal, especially when it comes to front load washing machines. Because front loading machines function differently than top loaders, using less water and turning clothing over in the drum, they require detergent for high efficiency machines. Appliance repair experts explain that HE detergents create less foam, and clean better in a front loading machine than conventional detergent.

Prevent Mold and Mildew

Front loading washing machines have an extra part that top loading machines do not have, a door seal. This seal is known for growing mold and mildew if not properly cared for, and the entire drum can develop unpleasant odors as a result. Appliance repair experts say that to prevent these problems, front loading machine owners should wipe down their door seals after each use, and keep the washer door open when the unit is not in use so it can dry out completely.

The dispenser drawer, which is another area that can develop mold and mildew, should also be left out when the machine is not being used. Last of all, thoroughly inspect the inside the basket after every use, since a sock or something else that could be stuck to the top of the basket can cause unpleasant odors and the growth of mildew as well.

Periodically Run Washer Cleaning Cycles

Like many other washing machines, front loaders have programmed cleaning cycles that should be periodically run, especially if the machine is mostly used with cold water. A hot cleaning cycle, run at least once a month, will help flush out minerals and detergent build up, keeping the inside the washer and its water feed and drainage system clean as well. Regular cleaning cycles help in the prevention of home appliance repair due to clogged hoses, unpleasant odors and other issues caused by dirt and mineral build up.

A front loading washing machine is a great purchase, saving appliance owners money and making laundry day much easier than before. Still, these machines do require some special handling in order to obtain a full service life, and prevent the need for washer repair. By following the tips referenced above, those who own front loading washers should have few issues with their machines, and be able to avoid calls for home appliance repair!

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Do I Need Refrigerator Repair If It Runs Too Much?

Do You Know the Different Types of Garbage Disposals?

Prevent Septic Problems with Correct Garbage Disposal Use!

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Garbage disposals provide a great convenience, helping homeowners to more easily keep their kitchens clean. What many people may not realize is that these appliances can affect how a septic system works. There are pros and cons to all that food waste heading into the septic system, so it is important to always use the disposal correctly. This is especially important when a disposal is not working correctly and requires garbage disposal repair.

To prevent septic problems caused by improper grinding of food scraps, always arrange appliance repair for a garbage disposal that is not working the way that it should.

Basic Septic System Functions

Septic systems work through a process of decomposition, aided by the presence of different types of bacteria in the septic tank. The bacteria eats away at the waste that ends up in the septic tank, including paper and anything else flushed or washed into the unit. When the bacteria levels are off and there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria, septic function slows down. This results in more sludge in the tank and more frequent need for septic pumping. Maintaining septic system health requires ensuring there is always enough good bacteria in the tank to decompose organic matter before it can rot and cause other problems.

How Garbage Disposals Affect Septic Tank Health

When used correctly, a properly functioning garbage disposal will not have a negative affect on a septic system as long as steps are taken to keep bacteria levels where they should be. Problems can arise when a disposal does not grind food properly, and larger pieces of food waste end up in the septic system. The larger the pieces of organic matter, the harder they are to decompose and the longer they sit in the tank, many times going rancid. When this happens, the balance of good bacteria to bad bacteria can be negatively affected. For this reason, garbage disposal repair when the disposal is not working its best is especially important for homes with septic systems.

Prevent Septic Problems by Keeping Disposals Working Well

Fortunately, garbage disposals and home septic systems can co-exist as long as attention is paid to the disposal, its performance, and how it is used. Make sure disposals are functioning well and actually grinding food. Keep the blades clean and sharp so food is ground into small pieces. Follow the disposal manufacturer’s directions carefully with regard to what should be put into. Avoid damaging the disposal in such a way that it does not grind well, and ends up needing appliance repair. Always run the cold water when using the disposal as well, to help flush the unit out and prevent problems that could affect its function.

Protect Septic Systems with Good Disposal Use

The best tip of all, at least concerning the septic system, is to use the disposal as little as possible to reduce the amount of food ending up in the septic system. In homes where the disposal is used a lot, septic companies recommend adding special enzymes and bacteria into the tank to help decompose the additional food waste. These products are usually flushed down the toilet or washed down the sink drain and into the septic tank.

A properly functioning garbage disposal provides the most convenience in the kitchen, while also preventing septic problems. To reduce the chance that food waste will damage the delicate ecosystem in the septic tank, garbage disposal repair is essential whenever the appliance is not working as it should. With the right appliance repair services when necessary, homeowners can be sure their disposal is not contributing to septic problems!

Need A Freezer Repair in Lubbock TX?

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Call (806) 416-8642!

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Questions to Ask About Repairing or Replacing A Major Appliance!