Superior Appliance Service
570-769-7372
THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE
Check everything listed below. Move to the specific type of appliance you are having the problem.
GENERAL CHECK ON ALL
APPLIANCES
Make sure the unit is plugged in and turned on.
If it is not running at all, check the circuit breaker/fuse. Reset/replace and test the appliance again.
Make sure the water valve is turned on and the machine is getting water to it.
Make sure the door/lid is unobstructed from opening and closing properly.
Make sure you are following the recommended loading and operating procedures printed in your "use and care" book.
*DISHWASHERS * REFRIGERATORS * DRYERS *
FREEZERS * GARBAGE DISPOSALS * MICROWAVES * RANGES * WASHING MACHINES
Dishwashers
1) If the dishes are not getting clean:
a) Make sure the water is hot enough - it should be at least 140 degrees, which is hot enough to burn you (very hot!) - If it is not hot enough, turn the hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting.
b) Make sure the lower spray arm is unobstructed and is "free turning".
c) Make sure the bottom inside of the dishwasher is clean and free of debris.
d) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures. Use the proper amount of detergent and make sure the detergent is fresh (check expiration or "best if used by" date.).
2) If the door isn't closing:
a) Make sure the latch assembly is unrestricted and latching properly.
b) Make sure nothing is blocking
the door from opening and closing properly.
3) If the unit is leaking:
a) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures, including proper type and amounts of detergents (run unit through cycle empty, if it doesn't leak it is probably a loading problem).
b) Make sure the racks are positioned properly.
c) Make sure the door is
unrestricted around the opening.
Tech tip
- If the inside of your dishwasher is beginning to brown and form mineral
stains, put Limeaway (available at your grocery store) or Tang Citrus Drink
into the tank during the wash cycle. The citric acid from these products will
remove the mineral buildup and restore the finish.
Tech tip
- If your dishwasher is developing a film on the inside, put 6-7 drops of good
quality, name brand regular liquid detergent (for hand washing dishes) in the
bottom and put the machine through a regular cycle. This procedure will wash
away soap scum, mineral deposits, and grit. It will also allow the machine to
work better. Important note - do not use more than 6-7 drops of detergent. Be
proactive, prevent potential floods!
If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call to ask additional
questions or for fast, dependable service!
Refrigerators
1) If your refrigerator is not running or isn't cold enough
a) Turn the thermostat up to the
next highest setting...If it comes on, let it run for 24 hours and check
temperatures to confirm it is working ok.
b) Clear/remove anything blocking the air flow around the outside of the
refrigerator (on top, underneath, behind, beside, in front of, etc.). Allow
3" of clearance all the way around.
c) If there are condenser coils on the rear of the box, make sure the box is
several inches from the wall and nothing is on the top at the rear, blocking
the heat from coming off the coils.
d) If the condenser coils are underneath the refrigerator, clean the coils with
a vacuum cleaner thoroughly at least 2 times a year.
2) If the door is ticking or not closing properly, wipe off the face of the gasket with a wet rag and make sure the interior shelves, drawers and food are not preventing the door from closing from inside.
Tech tip - If you notice a
stale or foul odor in your refrigerator, there are a number of different odor
removers available. We sell two different products, commercial grade
"kleeair" and "fridge it" (the purple odor eater). They are
moderately price at around $6.00 and are extremely effective!
If these suggested tips do not solve the
problem, call for fast dependable service.
Dryer
* Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
* Never overload the dryer.
* Make sure your clean the dryer lint filter after every load.
1) If the clothes are not getting dry:
a) Make sure the dryer has not
pushed back against the rear exhaust duct causing an air flow restriction.
b) Make sure the clothes are coming out of the washer spun damp dry - if the
washer is not spinning the clothes damp dry, the dryer will not dry the clothes
in a normal amount of time.
Tech Tip - BAD ODORS! If you are painting,
refinishing wood products etc., in your house or one of your apartments, don't
be surprised if the clothes that come out of your dryer smell funny. In fact,
sometimes the odor will be in the air and people believe they have a chemical
problem coming from their dryer. Air out the house by opening some windows and
relaunder the clothes. The problem will go away in several days.
If these suggested tips do not solve the
problem, call for fast, dependable service.
Freezer /
Chest or Upright:
1) Follow all procedures outlined under refrigerator heading.
2) Do not pack the freezer.
3) If the unit is not self defrosting and the temperatures begin to rise, check
the frost build up on the inside of the freezer. If it is heavily frosted,
manually defrost the freezer by turning it off at the thermostat, unplug from
wall and allow 12 hours for the unit to defrost, with both doors open.
4) If the unit is not an automatic self defrosting model, defrost the unit once
a year or as often as needed. Follow proper defrosting methods (do not use a
knife, pick, hammer, chisel, screwdriver, etc. Or any sharp object).
If these suggested tips do not solve the
problem, call for fast, dependable service.
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Garbage
Disposal
Always run water in the sink when you operate the unit.
1) If the unit jams/hums:
a) Turn the unit off. After turning
off, remove anything that has fallen into the grinding chamber.
b) Turn the unit off. After turning off, insert the "unjamming" tool
into the bottom and turn clockwise. Once the tool turns freely, remove whatever
was causing the jam.
2) If the unit is dead, push in the red reset button located
on the bottom of the disposal - if the unit begins to hum and the reset trips
again, it is jammed, see above and then push the red reset.
Tech Tip
- NOISY! Garbage disposals can
become noisy from the swivels on the cutter blade becoming stuck of frozen in
place. You can loosen the swivels by dumping a tray of ice cubes into the
grinding chamber, the same way you would grind food.
Tech Tip
- ODORS! Ground orange peels will
remove stale odors and put off a fresh scent.
If these tips do not solve the problem,
call to ask additional questions or for fast, dependable service!
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Microwave
1) Always use microwave safe dishes.
2) Do not use aluminum foil or anything with metal on it (unless your microwave
specifically allows it. Check your owners manual).
3) Wipe the seal off with a wet rag and dry it thoroughly as often as needed.
4) Do not twist, bend, or slam the door in any way.
Tech Tip
- FLASHING NUMBERS! If your microwave begins flashing numbers, won't take
commands, or shows all 8's, unplug the unit and leave it off for several
(15-20) seconds and plug it back in. Sometime this simple trick can reset the
microprocessor and the unit will begin to work again!
If these suggested tips do not solve the
problem, call us for fast, dependable service!
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Range /
Electric:
1) If your burners are not heating make sure they are sitting straight and in
their proper position.
2) If your oven is not heating, make sure the clock is set on the manual cycle
and not the automatic time bake cycle.
Range /
Gas:
1) Raise up the top and keep the area clean and free of grease build up.
2) If the top burners are not lighting, wipe off the burner head with a hot,
damp rag and the dry completely.
3) If oven is not heating make sure the clock is set on the manual and not
automatic cycle.
If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call for fast, dependable
service!
Washing Machine:
* Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
* Never overload the machine.
1) If the machine is dead:
a) Make sure the lid is closing
properly.
b) Make sure the timer and all the controls are set properly.
c) Make sure both water faucets are turned on.
Tech Tip - WELL WATER! If you are on a well system or have high sediment
content in your water, insert screened hose washers in the end of both washing
machine fill hoses where they attach to the external supply faucets. These
screens will prevent the washing machine fill valve from collecting the debris
in its screens and clogging up causing slow fill times.
If these suggested tips do not solve the
problem, call for fast, dependable service.