It's that time of year where many people go out of town for vacation. While most know the importance of shutting your appliances off while you're away, how many know that turning them back on when you get home can be a process itself? In this weeks blog we'll go over some important steps to restarting your appliances after time away.
1. Refrigerator/Freezer
Our first appliance, your refrigerator or freezer, is one that you should leave running unless you plan to leave for more then a month. That said, if you do turn it off, when you return the first thing to do is to wipe out the inside with warm water and soap. Leaving a fridge alone for too long can cause bacterial growth and should be dealt with before anything else. The bottom rear panel should also be cleaned of any dirt or dust to ensure it doesn't get blown into the fan or coils when you turn it back on.
2. Washer
As we've mentioned on this blog before, washers are almost never completely empty of water. Because of this leaving them off and unplugged while on vacation can cause mold and mildew growth. Upon returning home its best to give your washer a thorough check. Inspect the inside for any smells or visible signs of molding or mildew. After inspecting the inside, check under and around the washer for any signs of leaking. Finally check the power cord and hoses for any sign of pest damage. Before using the machine it's best to run clean cycle to leave you with a fresh start.
3. Dryer
The dryer is more simple to check on. The biggest worry you need to be aware of is pests. Birds and mice like to nest in your vent so it's best to check the vent hole outside your house first. After checking for any evidence outside, follow up by pulling the dryer out, disconnecting the vent hose, and checking for any evidence in there.
4. Dishwasher
The dishwasher is much the same as the washer with one noticeable exception. The rubber seals inside the door of your dishwasher are relatively thin, because of this if they are left alone long enough they can become brittle. Checking the seals for any signs of cracking is a must before first using it.
5. If you suspect a problem call a professional
If, upon returning home, you do find an issue or suspect you may have one, we at Royal want to help. Please give us a call at (719) 546-0442 and we can schedule you as soon as possible for a service technician to come out and diagnose the issue.
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