Oven Repair in Meridian - Mouse in the house

Mouse in the House

Field mice can reach on appliances once they have entered a home.  I’ve seen a lot of damage over the years by these pesky critters.

Mice will chew a hole in the back access panel of a refrigerator and make themselves a nest.   Eventually some of them take a wrong turn and run right into a spinning fan blade. The mouse body gets wedged between the fan blade and the sheet-metal housing.  This will stop the fan completely and the refrigerator compressor overheats.  I had two of these repair calls in Meridian  Idaho in  one week.  Unbelievable!

In this picture it shows what a mouse can do when it gets into the insulation of a stove.  The mouse droppings will get warmed up when a homeowner turns on the stove and cause a very wretched smell.  The smell may be eliminated once the affected insulation can be removed and/or cleaned.  Many home-owners decide to buy new appliances.

Maytag Neptune Washing Machine Problem

This is a picture of a very reliable and top-end front-load Maytag Neptune washing machine.  This washer, once the cycle is started, will not lock the door when it is suppose to.  When the door is locked the front panel light should illuminate.  In this case it is not happening.  The first thing we want to look for on this board is the R11 resistor on the front of the main control board.  Remove the screws from the back panel and gently remove the access panel.  The main control board will be attached to the back panel.  You will have easy access.  Inspect the front of this board very carefully and look for any burn marks.  Sometimes the burned components will give off a bad smell.  If you find that the board is burned, the board will need to be replace.  Please note: the wax motor, which controls the door lock, will also need to be replaced at the same time.
Western Appliance Repair
208-599-1086

Damaged Dryer Drums

Bad bad bad.  This dryer drum has definitely seen better days.  What started out as a new LG dryer drum, shipped straight from the manufacturer, has turned into to a taco shaped mess.  UPS did a good job at destroying this however, it wasn't all their fault.  The box that it was shipped in was thin and did not have any support.  Considering how paper thin these new dryer drums are, you would think that the appliance-maker would provide decent packing and support.  I guess not!  This is what I get.

I may not provide replacement drums for my Meridian and Boise customers anymore.  The damage rate on these drums, as received, are about 70 percent.  That's right, seventy percent are damaged.  I usually have to go through paperwork and refunds to make sure everyone is happy and it leaves the customer without a repaired dryer.  It's become a big pain in the !@#ss.  Oh well!

Rich
Western Appliance Repair
208-599-1086

Washer lid switch problems

The first picture shows a lid actuator pin for a direct-drive washer.  The second picture shows where the pin makes contact with the washer switch.  When the lid is closed, a switch contact is enabled and the timer now sends a voltage signal to the washer' s drive motor to start the spin and drain cycles.

I find broken switches in many of these washers in the Meridian Idaho area.  

A common symptom is that the washer won't spin the clothes out and leaves them wet.

As with most other washer problems in Meridian, we can fix this too.  208-599-1086

New appliance repair tech for Western

We have a new appliance Guru here at Western.  Because of our extreme dedication to our customer needs, we found it necessary to expand without sacrificing quality.

Dryer Dead?

When your dryer appears to have died and there is no response from the controls, chances are that the thermal fuse has blown.  Most of the time it is located on the blower housing. 208-599-1086

Lg washer fix

If you look closely, you'll see a small hole where my thumb is.  This is a lg washer we just repaired.

Dryer Cleaning

Whenever a dryer is repaired and disassembled, always make take the extra effort to clean the lint from the interior.  This will prevent excessive heat around the motor.  This will greatly improve the lifetime of dryer.  In this instance we did just that, along with relaxing the rollers and idler pulley

Meridian Boise Appliance Repair - Refrigerator Defrost Operation

I am the owner of Western Boise Appliance Repair with two location in Boise and one in Meridian idaho.  I'd like to share some thoughts or actually, to give some advice and enlightenment on the defrost operation on most side by side, bottom-mount, top-mount refrigerators.  Many brands of refrigerators operate on the same principles whether they are GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, Sears, or Frigidaire. Here we go, to put in a nutshell, the refrigerator evaporator, which in most cases is located in the Freezer, absorbs heat from the inside of the Freezer.  Think of the refrigerant as tiny sponges that are flowing through the evaporator that will absorb the heat.  Thinking in layman's terms like this will make understanding this a lot easier.  Ok, the evaporator coils absorb the heat and has it does, it causes condensation on the evaporator coils.  This condensation quickly freezes on the refrigerator coils and turns into frost.  The more the freezer and refrigerator doors are opened and closed, the more air and moisture enters the refrigerator/freezer.  The more moisture, the more frost.  If there wasn't a way to get rid of that frost, your freezer evaporator area would turn into one big blog of frost or ice.  Now we'll talk about the defrost operation.
Engineers had to devise a way to defrost the evaporator coils and still allow cooling in the refrigerator.  Most early refrigerator models use a timer, heater, bi-metal combination.  I'll talk about each one of these separate:
Heater:  On most models, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, a heater bar is positioned on the bottom of the evaporator.  The compressor turns off and AC current flows through the heater to make it glow red hot and to radiate heat.  Since heat rises, it radiates upward to melt all the frost off the refrigerator appliance's evaporator coils.  Well, this heat can't go on forever otherwise we would cause the refrigerator/freezer to warm.  So, enter the appliance's timer mechanism.
Timer:  Approximately every 8 hours, the timer will switch off AC Power from the compressor and switch it to the heater.  The duration is controlled by the timer, usually 20-30 minutes.  When the 20-30 minute defrost has been completed, the timer switches AC Power from the heater, back to the appliance's compressor , evaporator and condenser fan motors.
Bi-Metal:  The refrigerator's bimetal acts as a "safety" to guarantee the evaporator does not get too warm.  It is usually located at the top of the evaporator.  To be plain, it is actually a switch/thermostat wired in series with the defrost heater and it is engineered to open and close at a predetermined temperature.  It closes when it is cold and it opens the circuit when it's warm, usually from 35-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hope this helps some of your appliance repair questions and you can always visit us for more topics and articles.

Dryer Taking Too Long to Dry Clothes | Appliance Repair Boise

Clothes Dryer is taking a long time to dry clothes?
The difference between gas and electric dryers is the way in which the heat is generated.  In an electric dryer, AC current flows through a low resistance coil network causing high current flow through the wire coils.  Because of the low resistance heater coil, current flow is high so it generates heat.  Air from the internal dryer ducting flows through these wire coils to heat the air and a blower wheel, usually attached to the drum motor, pulls the heated air through the dryer drum.

If you look closely in the dryer drum you will see an inlet and an outlet.  The intake is usually at the rear of the inside of the drum, commonly described as looking like a cheese grate.  This is where your heat comes from.  Well, if you have heat coming in, you have to have heat leaving the drum.  The heat duct outlet is located either on the inside next to the intake or on the front of the machine at the lint filter.  If the outlet is on the inside rear, you’ll see the lint filter located on top panel of the dryer.  If your outlet is on the inside front, you’ll see the lint filter in the same location
In a properly working dryer, electric or gas, you will have heated air coming into the drum and you will have one addition to the heated air that leaves the drum – MOISTURE.  The heated air from the heat source blends with your clothes and creates moisture in the air.  This moisture MUST escape the drum for your clothes to dry properly.   I can guess what you’re thinking at this point – “but I always clean the lint filter.”  Yes, most of my customers diligently clean their lint filter but ask yourself this – When was the last time you had a professional vent-cleaning company come in to clean your dryer vent?  I don’t mean that flexible venting behind your dryer.  I mean the vent that goes from the wall behind your dryer that extends to the outside wall or roof of your house.  These should be cleaned AT LEAST every 5 years. 
Here is some typical problems a clogged or obstructed vent will cause:  Blown heater element – coils overheat from low air-flow causing overheat condition which reduces the lifetime of the element.  Blown high-limit thermostat and thermal fuse – caused by an overheat condition.  If your dryer is still heating properly but not drying clothes than you are in luck, you still can prevent damage to your dryer and avoid a costly repair.  Most dryer repair calls I make are directly related to a restricted or clogged dryer vent.

Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho | Replacing Washer Hoses

Replace any hose that leaks from a crack or puncture.  If the leak seems to be at the connection, try moving the clamp to a lightly different position on the hose.  Be sure the clamp grips the hose and pipe end.  The best tool to use is hose-clamp pliers, because it's made for the job.  If you use regular pliers, watch your fingers.  This tool easily slips off the springy clamp.  To replace a worn-out gasket, just lift it off the tub rim and slip a duplicate on.

Rich
Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho
208-599-1086

Washer - Dryer Motor Windings Clean | Western Appliance Repair Meridian

Cleaning Washer and Dryer Motor Windings:

Most trouble with Washer and Dryer motor windings can be blamed on dirt, grease, and moisture which create such an undesirable conduction medium which may result in a breakdown of insulation.  Dirt and grease collected on the inner and outer surfaces of electrical units prevent proper circulation of air and conduction of heat to the outer surfaces and air.  This could cause the appliance motor to overheat and decrease the life of your appliance.  It is, therefore, very important that all accumulations of dirt, grease, and moisture be removed.  The best means of cleaning motors and generators are air pressure, vacuum suction, and grease solvents.

Air pressure, reversing a vacuum cleaner and blowing dust off the windings is the most satisfactory device.

Vacuum suction, use a vacuum cleaner or hose to remove grit, carbon, iron, and copper dust.  Be sure the hose is not made of metal.

Rich - Western Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho

Automatic Washing Machines - Western Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho

Automatic washers offer various cycles of operation.  Provisions for soaking, rates of agitation, lengths of washing time, rates of spinning, and kind and number of rinses differ among models such as whirlpool, kenmore, maytag, and ge.  Here, however, are the basic operations common to all automatic washers.

Soaking clothes in a washer:
In some washing machines, separate user settings are provided for a soak cycle.  The clothes are agitated about in warm or cold water in the same manner as for washing.  Water is extracted and drained at the end of the soak cycle.  The user setting may have to be reset to start the regular washing machine cycle.  If there is not a user control setting for soak, the wash setting can be used with warm water, and after the water has be drained, the setting will be reset for the regular wash cycle.

Western Appliance Repair Meridian
email
Meridian, Idaho 83642
208-599-1086
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Dishwasher Repair - Soft Water | Dishwasher Repair Meridian

Soft water, as used in dishwashers, is virtually mineral free.  Total dissolved solids are usually low, in the range of 100 to 200 ppm.  Water is considered soft when the grain hardness does not exceed 4 grains/gal.
In naturally soft water the temporary hardness, or bicarbonate content, is the important factor affecting the Ph.  Solutions of bicarbonate, when heated to a high temperature, undergo a chemical reaction to form a carbonate.  In the presence of hardness, the carbonate with the calcium and magnesium, precipitates out of solution as scale.  In soft water this precipitation does not take place, and the carbonate stays in the solution.  Carbonate is much more alkaline than bicarbonate, causing the alkalinity of the final rinse water in a dishwasher to increase.  The carbonate and bicarbonate content of water is part of the total dissolved solids.  Most naturally soft water will have some calcium and magnesium dissolved in it, even though the amount may be small.

Many appliance repairs in Boise, Meridian, and Eagle areas of Idaho have to do with white scaling found on glassware and dishes.  In the majority of these dishwasher calls the problem lies with the hard water that is being used to clean the dishes.  If you suspect you may have hard water the best cure would be to invest in a good water softener.  This will help your dishwasher clean better and it will minimize the white scale you see on your dishes.

Another Tip from Western Appliance Repair Meridian and Boise.  You can contact us at 208-599-1086 or Email Me .

Refrigerator Door Seals Replacement | http://www.western-appliance.com

Refrigerator Door Seals Diagnosis and Repair
Refrigerator door seals may be one of the most misunderstood parts of the refrigerator.  Ask a layman or do-it-yourselfer about why his refrigerator is not functioning or warming properly and the first thing he may say after “I don’t work on compressors” is “but let’s check the door seals."   The door seals rarely go bad or have a problem over the lifetime of the refrigerator.  The only door seals I’ve seen go bad are when dogs or cats chew or sharpen their claws on them, or kids that like to climb or hang on the refrigerator door.  A really bad door seal problem is most likely to show up as a defrost problem or frost buildup on the interior of the freezer.  This is due to humid air getting into the refrigerator.
Door seals are magnetically held to the door frame to keep the doors closed.  Unless the seal is shredded or you can physically see a gap between the seal and the door frame with the door closed, there is no reason to suspect a door seal problem.
To replace the refrigerator door seal, you should have a nut driver of the proper size.  A cordless drill-driver is better choice.  A magnetic tip will prevent you from going crazy trying to hold the driver, the screw and the seal at the same time and allow you to complete the job faster.  There are lots of screws holding the seal on so be prepared.  Remove the screws from no more than two sides at a time.  One side at a time is better.  The idea is to prevent the plastic inner door liner from drifting around.  If you have to re align it, it can be a long, frustrating process.  The new seal will fit in the same way as the old one came out.
You are much more likely to have a door alignment issue or warping.  There’s not much you can do with a badly warped refrigerator door except to try to warp it, or bend it, back into shape or replace it.
With the door closed, measure the gap around it, top and bottom, left and right.  Check if the door edges and the refrigerator edges are parallel.  If the measurements indicate that the door is badly out of alignment, re align it by loosening the hinges slightly and shifting the door around.  It may take a few tries to get it aligned properly.
Remove anything that might be obstructing the door seals.  Sometimes the kick plate or drawer will get in the way.  If it’s metal, you may be able to bend it slightly to solve your problem.
For more information on this appliance repair articles please visit our website.  For Appliance Repair needs in the Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Eagle, Kuna, Star areas please visit our homepage or call us at 208-599-1086.

Refrigerator Defrost System | Method of Operation

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Refrigerator Defrost System
When opening the refrigerator and freezer doors repeatedly to add and remove food you also let warm moist air enter the interior compartment.  The humidity from this warm air gets attracted the refrigerator evaporator coils and will freeze directly to the coils.  This will form a uniform frost layer to the outside of coils.  If too much frost builds up on these coils, airflow will be restricted and the evaporator cannot absorb heat from the interior compartment.  The result will be the freezer operating at a lower temperature and a partial or full restriction in cold air flow to the refrigerator.
To prevent too much frost from collecting on the evaporator coils, a self-defrosting refrigerator will actually stop itself for approx 20 minutes every six to twelve hours to melt off this frost.  This defrost cycle is switched off and on by an electric defrost timer or electronic ADC board.  The timer stops the compressor and switches current to an electric defrost heater located directly beneath most evaporator coils.  When the heater is energized the heat is radiated upwards to melt the frost.  The frost water drains into a pan located at the bottom of the evaporator and is diverted through a tube into little pan which is located on the bottom of most refrigerators.  Most Maytag, Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, and Frigidaire models will have this type of system. The condenser fan circulates warm air across the water filled pan and evaporates the drain water before the next defrost cycle.
If all the frost melts before the defrost timer finishes the defrost cycle, a terminating thermostat, or bimetal, will keep the defrost heater from overheating the evaporator compartment. When the freezer compartment reaches a fixed temperature, the terminating thermostat will open the circuit and shut off the electricity to the defrost heater.
Many of the later electronic refrigerators incorporate an electronic device called an adaptive defrost control board.  This electronic control board provides the same function of the defrost timer but adds a new element to save energy and to adjust the defrost cycles to “adapt” to customer usage.  The adaptive defrost board monitors how many times the door is opened and closed.  The more the refrigerator doors are opened and closed, the more humidity has entered the compartment.  The more humidity that has entered the refrigerator the more frost that has accumulated thus the “period” between each defrost cycle will be reduced.
For refrigerator repair boise needs, whether it be Whirlpool, Kenmore, GE, Maytag, or Frigidaire, please contact Western Appliance Repair. We offer the following services:
Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho
Appliance Repair Kuna Idaho
Appliance Repair Star Idaho
Appliance Repair Eagle Idaho
Appliance Repair Boise Idaho
208-599-1086

Appliance Repair Meridian | Washing Machine Washer Hoses

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When installing any washer or washing machine hose, be sure it is not twisted or kinked or positioned in such a manner that it might kink in the future and stop the proper flow of water. Most hoses used inside washers and washing machines are secured on each end by hose clamps, and easily removed and replaced by using a screwdriver, hex driver, or special hose clamp pliers.
Water Inlet Hoses
Extreme care should be taken when attaching the water inlet hoses to the washer inlet valves with nylon bodies. Cross threading of these hose couplings on the valve inlets can cause leaks and can damage the threads. Do not over tighten. A filter washer screen is provided for each hose and is to be installed cup side up in the shoes end that is to be attached to the faucet. A standard rubber washer is provided for use in the end that attaches to the valve. Two 3/8 inch inside diameter rubber molded or reinforced stainless hose is used to carry the water from the water supply valve to a water inlet valve of washing machine.
Fill Control Hose
The fill control hose and recirculation inlet hose are secured to the tub by special internal retaining rings that can be removed by use of regular or needle-nose pliers. The reducing connector that couples the fill control hose to the plastic tubing should be tightly secured to the inside of the fill control hose by use of rubber cement.
Recirculation Hoses
On many washers here are two hoses used to recirculation the water from the outer tub through the recirculation pump and through the filter at the top of the tub. The hose between the tub and the pump is attached to a plastic side outlet assembly which is secured to the tub side by a locking ring. The other hose runs from the outlet of the recirculation pump to the filter housing. Because the filter housing is secured to the top, the recirculation hose must be removed to raise the top for servicing.
Pump Outlet Hose
On machines that do not have a two-way valve, the hose runs from the pump outlet to a hole in the rear of the cabinet and is secured to a hose coupling by a hose clamp. On machines equipped with a two-way valve, the hose runs from the pump outlet to the inlet on the two-way valve.

For all your appliance repair needs choose Western Appliance Repair in Meridian Idaho. We provide the following services:
Appliance Repair Boise - We provide appliance repair throughout the treasure valley and includes garden city and hidden springs areas.
Appliance Repair Meridian - Our appliance repair in Meridian is second to none. As our home base, we can get to the job quickly and get your appliance running properly.
Maytag Repair Washer and Refrigerator Repair Experts.
208-599-1086

White Film on Dishes - Dishwasher Help

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White film may form on glassware and dishes when using phosphate-free dishwasher detergent.

Dishwasher detergent manufacturers are phasing in a new phosphate-free formula to comply with various EPA regulations that became effective July 1, 2010. This switch to the new formula has been gradually happening since late 2009 and is continuing to the present.

Phosphates are added to dishwasher detergents to remove minerals from the water and thus improve dishwasher performance. Many detergents that do not include phosphates in their formula tend to leave mineral deposits on glassware, plastic items, pots and pans. It also causes poor wash performance and many complaints.

The deposits are in the form of a white film on glassware and other items, even the interior of the dishwasher itself. The white film is often mistaken to be a problem with the dishwasher instead of the detergent. All phosphate-free dishwasher detergent formulas appear to have this issue. Some appear to have this problem more than others.

Testing has shown that packs and tablets perform better than some powder or gel detergents.

If a white film develops on glassware, then we can safely assume that phosphate-free detergent is the problem.

The easiest way to remove the white mineral film or build-up is to run the glassware and dishware through a dishwasher cycle using citric acid additive. There is a citric acid kit made by GE. The part no. is WD35X151. Pour the mixture in the detergent cup and close the cover and let it disperse normally in the dishwasher cycle.

Place the glassware and dishware in the dishwasher. Remove silverware and other metal items out of the dishwasher and run the cycle with the additive. Turn the dishwasher on and let it run through a cycle with the citric acid and without detergent. The dishes and glassware should come out sparkling.

Dishwasher manufacturers are working to resolve the phosphate-free filming issue but the problems are likely to be with us for a long while. Dishwasher owners may want to repeat the citric acid rinse several times a year to reduce the mineral buildup on dishes.

Some other important things to remember when you’re preparing the dishwasher for the wash cycle are:

1. Run your kitchen sink hot water faucet for at least 1 minute or until maximum temperature is achieved. This will help reduce any white film deposits on dishes or glassware. For the best cleaning performance dishwasher manufacturers recommend a water temperature of at least 140 degrees F as it enters the dishwasher tub.

2. Remove seeds, nuts and plastics from bowls and plates before loading the dishwasher. Seeds and nuts do not break down easily and tend to clog filters and strainers, eventually restricting the water circulation and water pressure to the spray arm jets.

3. Do not load any plates, pots, pans, or any other large objects or dishes directly in front of the dishwasher soap dispenser. The spray-arm water flow must be allowed to flow and spray freely to dissipate the detergent in the dispenser.

See more information at Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho website http://www.western-appliance.com We also do
Whirlpool Repair Meridian Idaho, Maytag Repair Meridian Idaho.
208-599-1086

Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho | Dishwasher Not Cleaning

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Dishwasher preventative and maintenance tips that can extend the life of your dishwasher and help prevent unnecessary repairs. Below you will find some of my best recommendations for proper dishwasher operation.

Make sure that the dishwasher's is installed level. This is very important and a reliable and experienced installer should know how to install this properly. For the homeowner however, please pay special attention during installation. A properly leveled dishwasher will prevent the racks from falling forward as you're loading dishes and will also allow proper drainage.

Make sure the drain hose is properly routed to the air-gap. If there is no "air gap" mounted on the sink then it must be routed and mounted to the top of the underside of countertop before routing to the garbage disposal drain port. This will prevent food particles from entering the drain hose which will eventually form a clog.

Add a cup of white vinegar through the dishwasher to remove residue and odors. Do this at least once per month. You can also add a dishwasher detergent additive to achieve the same results.

Always run hot water in the kitchen sink before starting the dishwasher. This will purge the hot water line and allow hot water to enter the dishwasher at first cycle. The water entering the dishwasher should be 140 F to properly clean the dishes and to prevent food buildup and soap scum. Most dishwashers have an interior heater element which is not of high enough wattage to heat cold water to the proper cleaning temperature.

Clean the door gaskets regularly with a soap solution to remove all food debris and hard water deposits. Rinse and dry. This area is especially important for cleaning since a proper seal is important to prevent leaks.

Clean and inspect the spray arm holes, lower and upper. Remove any food particles, plastics, or toothpicks that may have lodged there. Tweezers or needle-nose pliers may help to remove such items.
Make sure you do not overload your dishwasher. If the spray arm jets are obstructed by plates or other dishes then the dishes will not be cleaned properly. You may also get spray directed to the areas near the door seal and cause leakage.

Do not add more than the recommended amount of detergent. Excessive detergent will cause suds which will seep out door cracks and cause leakage. It may also cause unwanted damage to hardwood or vinyl flooring.

Add detergent additive such as LemonShine to remove unwanted hard water buildup and help cleaning. Phosphates are being phased out of all dishwasher detergent so additional cleaning power may be necessary.

Always use the "heated dry" option on the dishwasher. Most major brand dishwashers including Whirlpool, Kenmore, GE, Frigidaire, and Maytag will have this option. Wet dishes and a wet damp area such as the inside of tub, does not allow enough air flow to prevent mildew buildup. Eventually unwanted mildew and mold will build up on the inside of the sump components and also on the inside walls of the tub.

Article was written by Rich C. of Appliance Repair Meridian Idaho Western Appliance. We repair washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, ovens, ranges, washing machines, cooktops, and most major appliances. We repair the following appliance brands: Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, GE, Frigidaire, Sears, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Roper, Magic Chef, Amana, Hotpoint, and more. We provide appliance repair in Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Star, and Kuna Idaho. For immediate appliance repair help please visit http://www.western-appliance.com
208-599-1086

Appliance Repair Meridian by Western Appliance Repair - Dryer Repair

Worked one of the new Steam Dryers. The dryer steam valve was leaking a puddle on the floor. Replaced valve and all is good. Dryer Repair is complete.

Rich
Western Appliance Repair
208-599-1086