Homeowner Tips for Common Home Repairs
You can resolve many common household problems without calling HomeGuard HomeWarranty to bring in a professional. The following tips will help you to understand when to call HomeGuard HomeWarranty, and when you can avoid a service call fee by correcting the problem yourself.
- A/C problems
Problem: Water leaks into the walls or ceiling
Cause Solution Drain hose from the condenser pan is clogged (in attic installations) Make sure the hose is able to empty the water Problem: Unit constantly cycles on and off
Cause Solution Clog in evaporator unit or blocked fan Have a professional clean out the evaporator unit Problem: Air conditioner doesn't get cool enough
Cause Solution Condenser coil is dirty Clean any debris from the condenser unit so air can circulate around the fans Direct sun on the evaporator unit Create shade for the unit Insulation has fallen off the feed line Secure the insulation firmly to line and replace any worn-out insulation
- Furnace Problems
Problem: There is no heat at all
Cause Solution Power is out Check the fuse box/circuit breaker Blower belt is broken Replace the belt Blower belt is broken Call a qualified professional Problem: Your rooms aren't warm enough
Cause Solution Filter is dirty Replace the filter Registers are dirty Clean the registers Air leaks in the ducts Seal the ducts with duct tape Heat exchanger is dirty Call a qualified professional Problem: Soot collects in your house
Cause Solution Filter is dirty Replace the filter Heat exchanger is damaged Call a qualified professional Ducts are dirty Have a professional clean them Problem: The blower makes unusual noises - noticeable when the burner is off
Cause Solution Pulley is loose Tighten the setscrews Blower mounts are worn Put in new blower mounts Worn belt Replace the belt Belt tension is too tight Loosen the belt tension
- Washer/Dryer Problems
Washer problem: Washer will not run
Cause Solution No power is reaching the outlet Check the fuse outlet box/circuit breaker Safety switch is tripped Distribute the clothes evenly and make sure the lid is closed Inlet hose valve isn't open Open the inlet valve Washer Problem: Washer does not fill with water
Cause Solution Filters are clogged Check and clean the inlet hose filters A kink in one of the hoses Straighten the water supply hoses Timer is not set Turn the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly Washer Problem: Water does not stop running
Cause Solution Overflow switch hose is disconnected Replace the water hose Overflow switch is defective Check the switch and replace it Timer is defective Replace the timer or call a qualified professional Washer Problem: Tub fills with water but washer does not run
Cause Solution Lid safety switch is tripped Make sure the lid is closed. If it is, check the switch Too much laundry in the tub Take some things out and wait 15 minutes for the motor to reset Dryer Problem: Dryer will not turn on
Cause Solution No power is reaching the outlet Check the fuse box/circuit breaker Door switch is damaged Check the switch and replace it if necessary Defect in the centrifugal switch Check the switch and replace it if necessary Dryer Problem: Motor runs, but the drum doesn't turn
Cause Solution Drum is blocked Open the unit and look for any obstructions around the drum Drive belt is broken Replace the belt Idler wheel is broken Check the assembly and replace it if necessary Support wheel is worn Check the wheel and replace it if necessary Dryer Problem: Drum turns, but nothing gets dry
Cause Solution Clog in the lint trap Clean the trap and the exhaust vent Safety thermostat is defective Check the thermostat and replace it Defect in the heating element Check the element and replace it Timer is defective Check the timer and replace it Dryer Problem: It takes too long to dry a load
Cause Solution Clog in the lint trap or exhaust vent Clean the trap and exhaust vent Dryer is overloaded Reduce the load and try again Clothes are too wet Reduce the load
- Water Heater Problems
Gas Water Heater Problem: There is no hot water
Cause Solution Pilot light isn't lit Carefully relight the pilot Pilot light won't keep burning Make sure the gas controls are completely turned on. Then, check and be sure it is firmly connected to the gas control unit and positioned near the pilot flame Clog in the burner Call a qualified professional Defective thermocouple Replace the thermocouple Gas Water Heater Problem: There isn't enough hot water
Cause Solution Thermostat isn't correctly set Turn the thermostat higher Thermostat is defective Call a qualified professional Hot water pipes are exposed Insulate the hot water pipes Electric Water Heater Problem: There is no hot water
Cause Solution Water Heater has no power Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. If the heater repeatedly blows fuses, call an electrician Safety thermostat has quit working Push the reset button. Test the heating thermostats and elements Defect in the heating elements Test the elements and replace them if necessary Electric Water Heater Problem: The hot water supply is too low
Cause Solution Thermostat is set wrong Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature Tank is too small Have a qualified professional install a larger heater
- Oven/Range Problems
Gas Range Problem: A surface burner doesn't light
Cause Solution Pilot light is out or gas isn't on Follow the instructions for relighting the pilot on your particular range Gas Range Problem: Pilot light doesn't remain lit
Cause Solution Pilot port is clogged Use a small wire to clean the port Range is in a drafty place Try to prevent drafts near the range Gas Range Problem: A burner is burning erratically
Cause Solution Burner is clogged Clean the burner ports Incorrect mixture of gas and air Call the gas company Electric Range Problem: The range is not working at all
Cause Solution No power is reaching the range Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. If you don't find a problem, call an electrician Electric Range
Cause Solution Defective element, wiring, terminal block or switch Check each part for continuity and replace it if necessary Electric Range
Cause Solution Pan is the wrong size Use flat-bottomed pans that just cover the element Element is damaged Replace the element
- Refrigerator/Freezer Problems
Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, no sound can be heard and the light is out
Cause Solution No power at the outlet Check the fuse box/circuit breaker Power cord is damaged Replace the cord Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, the light is on and you hear occasional clicking
Cause Solution Condenser coils are dirty Clean the coils with vacuum only Condenser fan is defective Check the fan (frost-free type) Defect in the thermostat Test the thermostat and replace it if necessary Problem: Frost forms rapidly or the unit does not defrost at all
Cause Solution Door is open too much Open the door as little as possible Door sags Straighten the door Door gasket is damaged Test the gasket and replace it Problem: The refrigerator constantly cycles on and off
Cause Solution Defect in the compressor Call a qualified professional Refrigerant is leaking Call a qualified professional Condenser coils are dirty Clean the coils with vacuum only
- Garbage Disposal Problems
Problem: The motor does not turn on
Cause Solution No power Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. And if the disposal is plugged into a wall outlet, check the outlet On/off switch is defective On continuous-feed models, check the wall switch. On batch-feed models, check the stopper switch Overload protector switch is tripped If the flywheel is jammed, free it. Then push the reset button Problem: Motor hums but unit doesn't grind
Cause Solution Flywheel is jammed Free the flywheel Motor bearings have frozen Call a qualified professional. You'll probably have to buy a new unit Problem: The disposal grinds things too slowly
Cause Solution Not enough water Run more cold water when using the disposal Improper waste in the unit Only dispose of materials allowed by the manual Dull shredder ring or broken flyweights Replace defective parts Problem: The disposal is making an unusual amount of noise
Cause Solution Metallic object in the unit Inspect the unit and fish out the object with tongs or forceps Mounting screws are loose Tighten the mounting screws Flyweight is broken Replace the broken flywheel Motor is defective Call a qualified professional