Knowing how to repair the appliances that you own will make you self-reliant. It will enable you to apply a quick fix to a broken household appliance, make a better assessment of the situation, or even diagnose the problem more accurately. Needless to say, this is something that a lot of parties (ranging from services all the way to individual handymen) don’t want you to know.
Why don’t they want you to know this? Well, because knowing makes you self-reliant and by being self-reliant you’re breaking their monopoly. This doesn’t mean that you’ll always repair everything on your own. It means that if they try to charge too much, or ask you to wait for too long before their arrival, you have the option of saying no and handling these things on your own.
1. Keep track of when you’ve bought them
Knowing the exact age of your appliances will help you take better care around them, as well as better strategize on matters regarding their maintenance and replacement. Now, certain devices have a warranty of 2-5 years. Keep in mind that a warranty isn’t an expiry date. Usually, the length of the warranty is one-half of the estimated working life of an appliance. Still, time is not everything. The number of working hours is far more important but this is something that you just won’t be able to keep track of accurately (at least until we fully switch to the IoT and smart devices).
2. The 50/50 rule
Whenever a repair costs 50% of what it would take to replace an appliance, it’s always better to just replace the appliance instead of repairing it. Reasons behind this are quite numerous but the primary one is the fact that a new appliance tends to be more energy-efficient and less costly for maintenance, to begin with. Also, you need to understand that an expensive repair indicates that there’s something big that’s wrong with the appliance. Needless to say, more expensive repairs await you in the future.
3. Buy your own parts
Even if you intend to get a handyman to make the repair in your stead, it’s always safer to order the parts on your own. Why? Well, because the way in which the majority of handymen overcharge is by not disclosing how much they actually spent on the part. So, some of them will refuse to show you the bill, while others (the worst of the bunch) will refuse to show you the old part. Therefore, having your own reliable supplier in the form of an appliance parts warehouse will help you navigate around this or, at the very least, check the cost online to see if you’re getting scammed.
4. Check the obvious (just in case)
Now, we’re not trying to be condescending or anything but it’s definitely worth your while to check if the outlet is getting power, if the cable is plugged into the socket, etc. By crossing off the obvious from the list, you’ll not only avoid getting embarrassed in front of the repairmen but also save yourself quite a bit of time. Sometimes, it’s just as simple, although a bit more obscure. For instance, some heaters and similar appliances will not work unless placed on an even surface. It’s a slight misalignment that may cause a significant problem.
5. Get yourself a multimeter
A multimeter is a simple and inexpensive device that will allow you to measure the voltage on wires and various parts. In other words, it’s a chief diagnostic tool for anyone determined to handle these things on their own. Moreover, a multimeter is a device that every household should have. The thing is that, aside from regular repairs, you can also use it to test batteries, check extension cords, and even sort your old light bulbs with greater accuracy.
6. Safety comes first
Naturally, before you make an attempt at repair, you should definitely make sure that everything is shut down, turned off, and preferably even plugged out. Wearing some safety gear is also a good idea. you would be shocked to find out how many people get electrocuted in their own homes, during what’s supposed to be a routine repair. You can never be extra careful, especially when, by being reckless you’re putting your own safety, as well as your property, at risk.
In conclusion
In the end, regardless if you end up conducting a repair on your own or not, the key thing is that you know the basics of what needs to be done. This will help you recognize if a serviceman is trying to scam you, allow you a more accurate assessment of how much the repair’s going to cost, and help you get ready for every eventuality. In other words, it’s worth it to develop and hone these skills even if you don’t intend to use them directly.
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