Home Renovations? Don’t Forget About Your Appliances

Home renovations are exciting. Whether you’re upgrading a kitchen, installing new floors, or remodeling a laundry room, the focus is usually on cabinets, countertops, and paint colors. But one thing homeowners often overlook during renovations is how those changes can affect their appliances.

At Miller’s Appliance Repair, we regularly see appliances that stop working properly right after a remodel. Most of the time, the appliance itself isn’t the problem—the renovation work caused an issue with installation, leveling, power, or water connections.

Here are a few things to keep in mind during your next home project.

Flooring Changes Can Affect Appliance Leveling

New flooring is one of the most common upgrades during renovations. Hardwood, tile, or luxury vinyl plank can completely change the height of your floor.

That height difference can cause problems for appliances like:

• Refrigerators

• Dishwashers

• Washers

• Dryers

If an appliance isn’t level, it can lead to excessive vibration, poor washing performance, drainage issues, or even premature wear on internal components.

Dishwashers are especially vulnerable. If new flooring is installed around them instead of underneath them, the appliance can become trapped under the counter and extremely difficult to remove for future service.

Electrical Work Can Damage Control Boards

Modern appliances rely heavily on electronic control boards. During renovations, electricians may shut power on and off repeatedly, or appliances may be unplugged and reconnected several times.

Power interruptions or voltage spikes can damage sensitive electronics, especially in:

• Refrigerators

• Dishwashers

• Washers

• Ovens with digital controls

We often see control board failures shortly after major electrical work or power interruptions during remodeling projects.

Water Lines and Shutoff Valves Get Disturbed

Kitchen and laundry renovations frequently involve moving appliances or replacing cabinets. When that happens, water lines and shutoff valves get disconnected or moved.

If those connections aren’t reinstalled properly, it can lead to:

• Slow leaks behind appliances

• Low water pressure

• Fill errors in washers or dishwashers

• Refrigerator ice maker issues

Even a small kink in a water line can prevent an appliance from filling correctly.

Venting Problems with Dryers

Laundry room renovations sometimes involve moving the dryer or changing the vent routing.

Improper dryer vent installation can cause:

• Long drying times

• Overheating

• Lint buildup

• Premature failure of heating components

Dryer vents should always be as short and straight as possible to allow proper airflow.

Appliance Clearance and Cabinet Changes

New cabinets or countertops can sometimes reduce the clearance appliances need to operate properly.

Refrigerators in particular need airflow space around the cabinet and behind the unit. Without proper clearance, the compressor has to work harder and the appliance may struggle to maintain temperature.

The Bottom Line

Appliances are one of the most expensive components of a home, and renovations can unintentionally cause issues if they aren’t taken into account during the project.

Before starting a renovation, it’s worth making sure your contractor considers appliance clearances, flooring height, water lines, and electrical connections.

If you’ve recently completed a renovation and an appliance suddenly isn’t working correctly, it may not be a coincidence.

Miller’s Appliance Repair proudly serves homeowners across the Nashville area with fast, professional appliance diagnostics and repairs.