Prepare for Autumn

Now that summer has past, and the leaves are beginning to fall it is a reminder to homeowners to do some important maintenance items.
1. Check your dryer vent. Dryers get used more often in fall and winter so make certain you vent is not plugged up for safety and efficiency.
2. Clean your condenser. This is the coil or tubing on the back or under your refrigerator. Pet hair and dust can accumulate to make your sealed system run longer than needed.
3. Clean the condenser on your freezer for the same reason as the refrigerator.
4. Check, and replace if needed the supply hoses to the washing machine. Many hoses burst under water pressure. Tip: Turn the water supply off when not using the machine. Just ask someone who has had one burst if you are not sure why you should do this.
5. If your microwave or oven is vented to the outside be sure the vent is unobstructed with bird's nest or other debris.

These few tips should help keep your equipment running without needing simple repairs due to the neglect of these things.

Third time is a charm!

Today I visited the same refrigerator 3 times. From Rochester to Macedon back and forth, it seems I drove half the day. First I arrived to repair the stove, and was asked to look at the refrigerator, so I obliged. I replaced a defective part on the ice maker, was paid for the service, then continued my day. Hours later I was called by the customer claiming the water was leaking from behind the refrigerator. So I travelled back and discovered a leak on the water valve connection. The valve slolenoid was defective also, so I replaced it too. In order to expedite my visit, I tested the ice maker by switching the solenoid plugs. Well, I moved the refrigerator back to its' resting place, then left. Shortly thereafter I was called again. The complaint was that the dispenser was not working. As the kindly woman was describing her problem my mind wandered into my memory bank and I said, "I'll be right over, put the icemaker arm up and do not use the water dispenser." I had not put the connections back on the correct solenoid. The customer was happy that the problems were over, and so was I. I have such willing participants in my daily attempt of making the best of my time.