General Home Appliance Maintenance – Winter 2025
January 10, 2025
Whether you rent or own property, regular maintenance is critical for extending the lifespan of your appliances, and avoiding the inconveniences and costly repairs associated with unexpected breakdowns and machine inefficiency.
Your foundational maintenance tasks should include:
Cleaning and replacing appliance filters when needed
Dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and fan coils have filters that can easily become clogged with debris over time. In addition to ensuring that the appliance is functioning at its maximum efficiency, replacing these filters as recommended by the manufacturer can help to prolong the lifespan of the machine.
Fan coil filters can be found at most major hardware stores. Be sure to check with the current filter found in your fan coil to ensure you are purchasing a filter with the correct dimensions. Oftentimes, the onsite management of condo buildings will be able to advise on the preferred brand, size, and thickness for replacement filters.
The location of your washing machine filter will vary, depending on the manufacturer and model. Some common places to look for the filter include:
- In the front of the unit behind a small hatch
- At the end of the drainage hose
- Along the top rim of the drum
Some newer, high-efficiency washers rely on a filter inside the pump, which self-cleans, meaning there is no maintenance needed on your end!
In condos, dryers have two traps for lint. One will be located in the drum of the dryer, the other in a ceiling hatch accessible by a small handle. Be sure to clean out both of these traps frequently. For more information on your ceiling lint traps, please review this post.
Cleaning out your dishwasher filter will help to keep your dishes clean, and dishwasher operating without any error codes. The filter traps loose particles of food and residue, preventing debris from being re-deposited onto the dishes. The filter is typically located below the bottom rack, on the floor of the dishwasher. Most are round, and will twist into and out of place. Some are one cylindrical piece, and others have a secondary flat filter. Typically twisting the filter counter-clockwise will remove it, but be sure to consult the owner’s manual beforehand. Soak, scrub, and rinse the filter before reinstalling it into the bottom of the dishwasher. This should be done every few months, or whenever you notice food residue being left behind on your dishes.
Monitoring and inspecting your appliances regularly
Make a point to routinely inspect any connections, hoses, seals, gaskets, overflow trays or drip pans on your major appliances to ensure that there is no damage, or wear and tear present. Inspecting hoses on dishwashers and washing machines is especially important, to avoid water leaks, that can lead to mold growth and further damage. Ensure to keep in mind the pipes below all faucets, as oftentimes wear and tear can cause trickle leaking, which is difficult to detect until the damage has become severe.
Check power cords for signs of wear or fraying. Damaged cords should be repaired or replaced immediately to avoid electrical hazards.
Inspect and clean any door seals or gaskets on refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, washing machines etc. to ensure proper sealing. Cleaning the gasket of the washing machine is especially important to prevent mold growth on the rubber.
Keep an eye out for any unusual noises or odours coming from your appliances. Ensure that appliances are kept level, to prevent movement due to vibrations. Be sure to troubleshoot any issues with the owner’s manual, found either online, or accompanying the appliance. Any severe performance issues that cannot be addressed by consulting the manual should be reported to your landlord promptly.
As always, if you are going to report an issue, be sure to provide the model number, brand name, serial number, and general photo of the issue so your landlord can assist you efficiently.
General treatment and use
It is important to remember that you should never have to use excessive force when operating your appliances. Doors for washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, and fridges should never need to be yanked or tugged on to open, nor do they need to be slammed closed. Interior parts such as motherboards, inverters, sensors, heating and cooling elements, etc, have delicate moving parts that can easily be damaged if mistreated, and very costly and time consuming to replace.
Preserving the lifespan of your appliances requires careful effort and regular cleaning and maintenance. The average lifespans for typical home appliances are as follows:
- Refrigerators: 10-20 years
- Stove/Oven: 10 – 15 years
- Dishwasher: 10 years
- Washer/Dryer: 10-13 years
- Range Hoods: 10 – 14 years
- Microwave: 7-9 years
These are just averages! Depending on the brand of your appliance, the quality of materials, and your attention to maintenance, they can easily last much longer.
Regards,
The Rental Lifestyle Group Inc. – Residential Leasing and Management – Toronto
Date: January 10th, 2025
