Category: fridge

How to Fix 3 Common Refrigerator Problems

Posted on by info@techreach.io

The fridge is one of the most essentials appliances in a home, so you’ll benefit greatly from knowing how to fix 3 common refrigerator problems. 

Even after you get the right fridge you’ll need to learn how to fix minor issues on your own. 

No matter what kind of fridge you have there common problems with the same solution you can always use. 

For these fixes you’ll need some basic tools and very little extra materials: 

Fridge not cooling enough 

This is one of the most common refrigerator problems and a very significant one, here are something you can do to fix it:

  • Clean out your fridge, less stuff more cool air 
  • Increase the cooling level
  • Check air compressor and clear the dust for better airflow

Doors Not Closing 

This common refrigerator problem can cause the inside not to cool and food to go bad, so tend to it quickly to avoid those issues. 

For this problem you can:

  • Check if any time is in the way when closing the door
  • Clean door rubber or replace them 

Leaking Fridge 

This refrigerator problem can be annoying and even dangerous. 

To prevent further leaking try:

  • Cleaning out the drain pan and tube
  • Leveling the fridge 
  • Checking the water filter, and water hose 

All done 

There you go, easy fixes for 3 common refrigerator problems.

And for anything you cant do you have Maydone by your side!

How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint at Home

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Are you aware of the carbon footprint that comes from using your appliances at home? Here are some tips on how you can decrease your energy consumption in your household.

When we’re talking about climate change, we all have one question lined up: How can we contribute to saving the planet from a climate catastrophe?

As we all know, there are many ways of reducing our carbon footprint. For example, we can try to avoid traveling by plane and take the train as often as possible. Furthermore, we can eat less meat and try to buy regional and seasonal groceries. But how can we decrease our carbon footprint in the household?

As we are living in the 21st, we all have appliances at home that consume energy. As helpful as they are, these appliances leave a carbon footprint as well. But we have some tips for you on how you can decrease their energy usage easily.

1. Make Your Heater More Efficient

Did you know that the oil and gas industry is the biggest emitter in Canada when it comes to carbon emissions? Of course, you can blame big companies for that and ask them to adapt to more sustainable fuel options. But it might be easier to start at your home first as also small changes in your own household can make a change  We already have put together some tips for you on how you can make your heater more efficient.

If you are noticing that your heating system uses a lot of energy, you can always contact one of our technicians. You’ll find the contact details here.

2. Turn Your Appliances Off to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

To reduce the carbon footprint of your appliances, you should make sure that all your appliances are completely turned off when they are not in use. This goes for TVs, stereos, and computers. It’s also important to unplug your appliances, such as mobile phones or laptops, once they are fully charged as they will otherwise waste energy.

Need help with the installation of a new washing machine? Our technicians are happy to help!

3. Switch to A Renewable Energy Provider

Around 17 % of Canada’s total primary energy supply comes from renewable energy sources. You can support green electricity and natural gas companies by switching the provider in your home. As this might be a bit pricier for your home than it was before, you could start by doing one thing at a time, for example by only purchasing green electricity at first.

4. Replace Old Appliances for a Lower Carbon Footprint

If you are a proud owner of a vintage washing machine, your time to say goodbye to your appliance might have come. Old appliances use a lot of energy and should, therefore, be replaced if you want to reduce your carbon footprint. A new washing machine can use 25 percent less energy up to 75 percent less water compared to your 20-year-old washing machine. Furthermore, by increasing appliance efficiency standards, you’ll not only save energy but also money on your utility bill.

5. Install Smart Home Technology

If your devices and appliances can connect to the internet, they are called smart technology. On the one hand, it can be convenient for you to have such things. On the other hand, they can help you with saving energy at home by monitoring the usage. Click here if you want to know more about it.  

How Long is The Lifespan of Your Appliance?

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What’s the lifespan of each appliance in your household? This article tells you how long you can expect your washer, fridge or dryer should last.

Are you in the process of buying some new appliances for your home? Before spending a lot of money on an appliance, it can be interesting to know how long you can expect it to last. Or maybe you need to replace one of your appliances and you are wondering if it’s worth buying a used appliance such as a washing machine that is almost five years old?

That’s why we have decided to write this article on the lifespan of different appliances. You will find out how many years a dryer should last and after what time you might have to replace the range hood in your kitchen.

Anyhow, if one of your appliances stops working, we encourage you to have it checked up before giving up on it. Our experienced technicians might find a way to repair your stove or the beloved microwave that has never failed you before. You can contact us online or by calling +1 (888) 513-0052 or +1 (289) 801-7857 during our office hours (Mon – Sun from 8 am – 10 pm).

Furthermore, there is one reason why you shouldn’t be too disappointed if you need to replace your appliance. New appliances cost a lot in the beginning, but they have a much lower energy consumption compare to old appliances.

What Factors Influence the Lifespan of Appliances?

Many different factors influence the lifespan of your appliance, such as the brand and the quality or how often you use it. Furthermore, it is important to clean your appliance and maintain it regularly.

Lifespan of Dishwashers

The dishwasher in your kitchen can last up to 12 years. Newer dishwashers have the benefit of using less water and energy. They are also more efficient in the way they are designed.

Lifespan of Washing Machines

On average, a washing machine should be replaced after 11 and 15 years these days. Having that said, older washing machines that were manufactured a few centuries ago might still be working. But as mentioned before, they use a lot more energy than newer models.

Lifespan of Dryers

The average dryer lasts between 10 and 13 years. There are many things that you can do to extend its lifespan, for example by cleaning the lint trap regularly.

Lifespan of Fridges

Your fridge should last about 13 years before it needs to be replaced. Have a look at these tips on how you can expand the lifespan of a fridge as we have collected them in an earlier blog post.

Lifespan of HVAC Appliances

You can expect your heating, ventilation or air conditioning system in your household to last for a lifespan of 15 to 25 years. On average, air conditioning units will last a bit shorter, between 10 and 15 years. Nevertheless, all of these appliances require regular maintenance to keep working efficiently and to expand their lifespan.

Lifespan of Stoves / Ovens

The stove and oven in your kitchen should last around 10 to 15 years. After that time, you might experience problems with the bake element or the control board.

Lifespan of a Microwave

Nowadays, microwaves last for around seven years, depend on the usage. If used a lot without being cleaned and maintained properly, a microwave might need to be replaced after around five years already.

Our Tip: Save Up Before your Appliance Break

It is always good to be prepared if you know that your appliance comes towards the end of their lifespan. Therefore, you should make sure to have some money on the side so you can afford a new appliance immediately after the old one gave up!

How to Decorate Your Appliances for Halloween

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Everyone knows that the 31st of October is Halloween. If you are having a Halloween party at your house, you might have your costume sorted. But what about your appliances? Here are some ideas on how you can decorate them for the party.

What should be the main goal for a Halloween party? Correct, to get the guests frightened. To reach that goal, it helps to put on a costume and prepare scary food. But all of that will not lead to success if you forget the most important part which is to decorate your home accordingly. So, the question is: How can you transform your lovely home into a haunted house?

Get Your Appliances in Halloween Mood

During October, you can find spooky Halloween decoration in almost every shop. We have collected some ideas on how you can integrate your appliances in the spooky house. 

Before you get started, we advise you to unplug appliances such as the washing machine or the stove for security reasons. In that way, you can make sure that nothing happens to your appliance or the decoration if it accidentally gets turned on.

Spooky Halloween Washing Machine

If you have a washing machine in your apartment, you should include it in your decoration. Our spooky idea is to put dismembered plastic limbs (you can buy them in a costume shop) into the detergent drawer. It looks especially spooky if you decorate them with fake blood or if they are attached to the door of the washing machine.

Blood Stains on the Fridge 

Can you even call it a Halloween party if there is no fake blood involved?! Therefore, fake blood should be one of your essentials when it comes to decorating your apartment. For example, you can use it to give your fridge a frightening look by leaving bloody handprints all over the door. Furthermore, it can be powerful to write something scary on it, such as R.I.P. Not only will your guests be scared, but it will also keep them away from taking too many drinks out of the fridge!

Range Hood Full of Spiders

Do you have a range hood above your stove? Great! To make it part of your spooky Halloween party, you’ll need a few plastic spiders and realistic looking cobwebs. Simply put them on your range hood and make sure the spiders hang down from it.

Frightening Halloween Surprise in the Oven

Your oven is a great place to place a hollow pumpkin with a candle inside. Just make sure to leave the door open so the fire gets enough air. Guests that get curious, where the light comes from, they will never forget the surprise in the oven.

Last but not least: Remember to remove all of the Halloween decoration before you use them the next time.

We know that Halloween parties can be very intense. In case one of your appliances doesn’t make it through the night, Maydone offers quick and reliable repair services. You can get in touch with us at any time of the day or night through our contact form or via the phone (+1 888 513 0052 / +1 289 801 7857) during our extended working hours (8 am to 10 pm). 

How to Clean Your Kitchen Appliances

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Are you waiting for the perfect time to clean your kitchen appliances?! Not only do we have the best advice when you should clean them, but also some good tips on how to clean your appliances quickly and effectively.  

When was the last time you cleaned your kitchen appliances? As winter is approaching, you’ll probably spend more of your weekends inside than during the summer months. So, this makes it the perfect time to give your kitchen a good scrub. If you clean your appliances regularly, you can also expand their lifespan. And: It makes it more fun to use them and prevents them from needing repair.

Anyway, if you need to get a broken appliance repaired or need help with the installation of a new appliance, you can contact us online or give us a call: 1 (289) 801-7857 or +1 (888) 513-0052. Our technicians are available from 8 am to 10 pm in the Greater Toronto Area and we offer $30 off for first-time customers.

How to Remove Grease from Your Appliances

What do you need? One lemon, kitchen towel

How to do it: To remove grease stains from your appliances, you can simply use a lemon. Cut it in half and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Then you can start rubbing it on all kitchen appliances that have grease on them. Repeat this with the other half of the lemon if necessary. Finally, wipe the lemon away with a kitchen towel – you’ll see how easily you can clean the grease stains.   

How to Clean a Burnt Stove

What do you need? Salt / White vinegar, baking soda, newspaper

How to do it: If you’ve spilled some food on your stove while cooking, it works best to sprinkle salt on it before it cools down as that will make it easy to peel it off. In case you want to clean other stains on the cooktop, you should cover them with white vinegar and sprinkle some baking soda on it. Give it some time to set before you start scrubbing it away with a newspaper. Furthermore, you can use a dry towel to clean the stove from the vinegar and baking soda.

How to Remove Bad Smells from Your Fridge

What do you need? Baking soda, vinegar, vanilla

How to do it: Everyone knows that feeling: You’re opening the fridge and it just smells horrible. Honestly, that can ruin your appetite. So, if you want to get rid of these smells, you should make sure to throw all the old food away. Then, scrub the surfaces with baking soda and warm water. After cleaning it, mix some baking soda with a tablespoon of vanilla and put it in the fridge. From now on, your fridge will smell fresh and clean!

How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

What do you need? Vinegar, microfiber cloth, oil, paper towel

How to do it: Are there some fingerprints on your stainless steel appliances? Well, don’t worry. Nothing is easier than to wipe them away and make them look shiny and new. Firstly, spray vinegar on the appliances. Wipe it down in the direction of the grain by using paper towels. Finally, dip a microfiber cloth in a bit of oil and use that cloth to polish the appliance.

 

If you want to know how you can clean your dishwasher, you’ll find some good tips in this previous blog post. You can find more tips on our Facebook page and our Instagram account. Follow us so you’ll never miss a new tip!

 

Which Fridge Should You Buy for Your Home?

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If you want to buy a new fridge, there are many different types nowadays that you can choose from. Read this article to get an idea of what appliance would fit best in your kitchen.

Is a kitchen without a fridge even a proper kitchen? If you don’t want to store your dairy products, vegetables and meat in a hole in your garden, you’ll agree that you won’t come around buying a good refrigerator for your home. After all, your refrigerator should last for at least fourteen years and therefore, it’s worth thinking about what you want, before you start buying it.

When buying a new fridge, different factors might play a role when it comes to deciding on one appliance. Which size is right for me? How big do I want the freezer to be? Do you want an ice machine or a water dispenser?

It’s best to make a list that contains all the features you want on your new appliance as well as the size of the space in your kitchen. Having done that, you can start looking at the different types of refrigerators before you compare the prices for the different appliances.

Built-In Fridge

If you want to hide your fridge in an empty cabinetry, this is the ideal appliance for you as it results in a discreet appearance. As this appliance works just as well as others, it’s just a question of what style you want.

Top Freezer Refrigerator

This classic model has been around for decades. With the freezer on top and the fridge close to the ground, this type of fridge might not be ideal for tall people. Anyhow, this type of fridge is cheaper than most others and suits a tight budget. Furthermore, it comes in different sizes If you choose money over comfort, this might be the ideal appliance for your kitchen.

Bottom Freezer Fridge

As this fridge comes with the freezer on the bottom and the fridge on top, you might find it easier to take out or arrange your food. Furthermore, it offers enough space in the freezer and the refrigerator section to store all of your food.

Side by Side Refrigerator

This model is perfect for you if you are looking for a slim styled appliance with a vertical fridge and freezer right next to each other. The downside of this model is that it comes with limited space, due to the slim design. However, it is a budget-friendly option that often comes with an external water dispenser and an ice machine.

French Door Fridge

This appliance comes with a modern look as well as a large storage space for your groceries. Due to the two separate doors, you don’t have to open the whole fridge when accessing your foods. This means that the cool air stays inside the appliance which will save electricity. Most French Door Fridges come with a bottom freezer. If you’re planning on buying this type of fridge, make sure there’s enough space around it as the doors require space to swing.

Mini Fridge

This appliance is ideal if you don’t have enough space in your kitchen for a full-sized appliance. It offers the needed cooling power but fits everywhere, even in a small kitchen or underneath your office desk.

 

By the way: We repair all types of fridges mentioned above. In case your appliance doesn’t cool anymore or has any other problem that you can’t fix yourself, you can contact our experienced technicians.

How to Make Your Fridge Last Longer

Posted on by info@techreach.io

If you are curious about how to prolong the life of your fridge, this article might be helpful for you. We have put together four tips that will help to extend the lifespan of your appliance.

Having a fridge is essential for your kitchen. It makes sure that your food stays fresh and it provides cool drinks on a hot summer’s day. Therefore, it is for sure annoying if your fridge suddenly stops working or breaks completely. While we can help you to repair your fridge, there is nothing else to do than to buy a new one in case it’s irreparable.

According to a study of the National Association of Home Builders, the expected lifespan of a fridge is around 13 years. To make sure your fridge lasts that long or even longer, you’ll have to pay attention to it and keep it clean and fresh. Our tips will help you with that.

1. Keep the Fridge’s Gaskets Clean

The gaskets are the secret of why the air stays cool inside a fridge. It means the little plastic strip that forms a seal between the fridge and doors. And by keeping the cold air inside, it helps conserving energy. To make sure that the gaskets do their job properly, you should clean them regularly by wiping them to remove debris. Once they are clean, you can use Vaseline to keep them elastic.

2. Defrost the Freezer

To keep your freezer working properly, you should defrost it at least once a year. Another indicator that is time for defrosting it is when the ice inside has built up to a size bigger than one inch. To defrost it, you have to take out all the food and unplug so the ice can start melting. Don’t forget to cover the floor around the fridge with towels as it might get wet otherwise. If you want to speed up the process, you can even use a spatula or a hairdryer but not a knife as this could destroy the elements or the internal surface.

3. Clean the Compressor

The compressor is the heart of your fridge as it makes sure that your appliance keeps cool. To do that needs to get air easily, so it must be free of dust. And this also helps the compressor from overheating which expands its lifespan. Most compressors are located in the bottom of the appliance and can be cleaned by wiping the toe-kick. This should be done two or three times a year.

4. Use the Ice Maker Regularly.

If your fridge has an ice maker, you should use it regularly to keep it working properly. Therefore, you should look in the manual of your appliance to find out how much water should run through the system during a week and make sure to follow these instructions. Otherwise the water inside the fridge will turn into ice that will build up into a huge ice block. Once you start using it again the block can break the spinning bar that moves the ice to the front of the fridge.

 

Of course, every appliance needs to be replaced eventually but by following these tips you can at least make sure that you got the most out of it. Don’t be too annoyed if you have to get a new appliance as that could also mean that you will save energy in the future when buying a newer refrigerator. And if you need help with the installation: We got you covered.

How to Fix Three Problems with Your Fridge

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The fridge is probably the appliance that you use most in your household. It stores your food 24 hours a day and is only turned off during a power cut.

Your fridge is responsible for keeping your food safe and prevent you from diseases like Salmonella. When something is not working accordingly, you will want to fix it immediately. In this blog post we are explaining three issues and how you can easily fix them yourself.

Problem 1:  Frost Build-up in the fridge

It is not a good sign if you open your fridge and see lots of ice at the back. Anyhow, are two main reasons why there is an ice buildup in your fridge:

  •       Leaving the door of the refrigerator open for too long
  •       The seal doesn’t work properly

So, keeping the fridge open for too long will cause a high level of humidity. The simple way of fixing the issue is to always close the door quickly. If the doors of the fridge do not close automatically, you can adjust the front feet so that gravity closes it for you. To do that, you need the help of someone else who can lean the fridge back, so that you can reach the front feet and screw them out a few turns. This will ensure that the doors close on their own from now on.

If the seal is the problem, try cleaning it with warm water, soap and a washcloth. Dry the seal and the areas around it with a towel and close the fridge.

Problem 2: The Fridge is Leaking Water

It is a common problem to find water underneath the fridge. The problem might be a blocked defrost drain.

The drain might be blocked because of debris or food particles and needs to be cleaned. To do that, you can try to flush it from inside using warm water and a turkey baster or a small funnel. If this doesn’t fix the problem with your drain you should manually remove the debris that is clogging the check valve at the end of the drain hose.

Problem 3: The refrigerator is cycling too often

A fridge that is over-cycling is annoying because of the noise and it also costs a lot of money.

The reason that your appliance may run constantly could be a build-up of debris and dust around the condenser coils. Before cleaning these, you should unplug the refrigerator and find out where the coils are located (usually at the bottom of the refrigerator). You can clean them by using a vacuum cleaner and a brush to remove the remaining debris.

When should I replace my Fridge?

In case your refrigerator keeps on acting unusual, it might be time to replace it.

Here are some examples:

  •     If you see any cracks in the interior of the fridge
  •     Dairy products are going bad all the time, even though you checked the temperature
  •     The fan is running all the time
  •     The fridge is making funny noises or is constantly loud

For other issues with your appliance, we are happy to help you at an affordable price. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.