End-of-Summer Appliance Maintenance Checklist

Owner
Aug 25
3 min read

As summer winds down, it’s a good time to give the appliances you rely on every day a quick checkup. Refrigerators work harder during hot weather, washers and dryers handle plenty of summer laundry, and months of everyday use can allow small problems to develop without you noticing.

A little maintenance now can help prevent an unexpected breakdown heading into fall.

Refrigerator

Clean around the condenser coils. Dust and pet hair can restrict airflow and make your refrigerator work harder to stay cold.
Check refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Your refrigerator should generally stay around 37°F, while the freezer should be around 0°F.
Inspect the door gaskets. Look for torn, loose, or dirty seals that could allow cold air to escape.
Check for unusual noises. Buzzing, clicking, rattling, or a refrigerator that seems to run constantly can indicate a developing problem.
Check underneath and behind the refrigerator for water. Small leaks can go unnoticed until they damage flooring or cabinetry.
Replace the water filter if needed. Follow the manufacturer's recommended replacement interval.

Washer

Inspect the water supply hoses. Look for cracking, bulging, corrosion, or moisture around the connections.
Clean the detergent dispenser. Detergent and fabric-softener buildup can restrict proper dispensing.
Clean around the door gasket on front-load washers. Remove trapped debris and wipe away moisture or residue.
Run a washer-cleaning cycle. Use the cleaning procedure recommended by the manufacturer.
Pay attention during the spin cycle. Excessive shaking, banging, or repeated out-of-balance problems shouldn't be ignored.

Dryer

Clean the lint screen after every load.
Inspect the dryer vent hose. Make sure it isn't crushed, kinked, or excessively long.
Check the exterior dryer vent. Airflow should be strong while the dryer is operating.
Watch for longer drying times. Clothes consistently requiring more than one cycle can indicate restricted airflow or another dryer problem.
Have the dryer vent professionally cleaned when necessary. Excessive lint buildup can reduce dryer performance and create a fire hazard.

Dishwasher

Clean the dishwasher filter. Food and debris trapped in the filter can contribute to poor cleaning and odors.
Check the spray arms. Make sure the openings aren't clogged and that the arms rotate freely.
Inspect underneath the dishwasher for signs of leaking.
Pay attention to standing water. Water remaining after a cycle can indicate a drainage problem.
Check how dishes are coming out. Consistently dirty or wet dishes can be an early sign that something isn't working properly.

Range & Oven

Test all surface burners. Make sure they're heating properly and consistently.
Check your oven temperature. If food has been taking longer to cook or cooking unevenly, the oven may not be maintaining the correct temperature.
Inspect the oven door gasket. A damaged seal can allow heat to escape.
Listen for unusual noises from convection or cooling fans.
Don't wait until the holidays to address an oven problem. Fall and the holiday season typically mean much heavier oven use.

A Few Minutes Now Can Prevent a Bigger Problem Later

Most appliance problems don't start with a complete breakdown. Longer drying times, unusual noises, inconsistent temperatures, small leaks, and poor cleaning performance can all be early warning signs.

Taking a few minutes at the end of summer to inspect your appliances can help you catch those problems before they turn into a more expensive repair.

If something doesn't seem right, Miller's Appliance Repair provides professional appliance repair throughout Nashville and surrounding areas. We diagnose and repair refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, ovens, and other major household appliances.

Schedule appliance repair before a small problem becomes a bigger one.