Appliance Cowboys’ Safety Tips for Appliance Repair
Regarding DIY appliance repair, it’s crucial to prioritize safety. Ignoring strict safety guidelines can lead to potential dangers such as personal injury and property damage. To avoid these risks, make sure to follow these essential safety tips that will not only protect you but also ensure the well-being of your appliances. By taking the necessary precautions and being mindful of potential hazards, you can confidently tackle appliance repairs with peace of mind.
Unplug The Appliance
For your safety, it is of utmost importance to always, without exception, unplug the appliance before embarking on any DIY repair. When you begin the disassembly process, you expose yourself to potentially hazardous wires and components that have the potential to cause electric shock if the appliance remains plugged in.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that certain appliances are hard-wired to the electrical supply in your home through a junction box. To disconnect electrical power to these specific types of appliances, you must shut off the corresponding circuit breaker in your house. Taking these precautions ensures that you remain protected and significantly reduces the risk of electrical mishaps during your DIY repair endeavors.
Appliances that are often hard-wired to the electrical supply in your home include:
- Dishwashers.
- Wall ovens.
- Cooktops.
- Water heaters.
- HVAC systems.
If the house circuit breakers need to be marked, scheduling an Appliance Cowboys Technician to diagnose and repair your appliance is best. Only risk your safety if you’re confident that power is connected to an appliance before attempting to repair it yourself.
Some appliances, such as microwaves, have high-voltage capacitors that retain a lethal electrical charge even when the appliance is unplugged. Never attempt to disassemble and repair a microwave yourself.
Wear Gloves
Metal edges inside appliances are sharp. Even the smallest of cuts can get infected. Wear safety gloves to protect your hands whenever you disassemble an appliance for repair.
Appliance technicians wear electrical safety gloves when conducting live voltage checks on appliances. We never recommend DIY appliance repair enthusiasts conduct live voltage checks when diagnosing appliance failure. Although live voltage checks are sometimes more accurate in diagnosing an appliance failure, resistance checks through wiring can often accomplish the same goal of determining the cause of a failure. Sears Technicians have developed some DIY repair techniques that are safe for you to use a multimeter (with the appliance unplugged).
Of course, if you get to a point in appliance diagnosis or repair where you need more confidence that you can safely continue on your own, schedule an appointment with an Appliance Cowboys technician to visit your home and complete the repair.
Wear Safety Goggles
You may not think you need them, but you must wear safety goggles when repairing appliances. Please keep your eyes safe by making sure they stay covered. You may have already completed several DIY appliance repairs without wearing safety goggles, but not wearing eye protection poses an unnecessary safety risk. Flying debris or splashing chemicals can quickly get into your eyes during appliance repair.
Even though they may look goofy, wear goggles when working on appliances.
Reconnect All Wires Properly
Take digital pictures to document the wire connections before disconnecting the wires from the components. Reconnecting the wires incorrectly can be dangerous. A wire connected in the wrong place can cause a dangerous short circuit that will damage wiring, components and cause an electrocution hazard.
Also, don’t ignore ground wires when reconnecting appliance wires. Ground wires are typically green in color. They help prevent electrical shocks when a wire or component shortens out.
If you’re unsure how to reconnect wires, have a service technician reassemble the appliance so it’s safe.
Use the Right Tools
When you face appliance repair challenges, it is not uncommon to feel the temptation to improvise using whatever tools happen to be readily accessible. However, it is crucial to exercise caution as this approach can potentially result in injury. To ensure your safety, always carefully select the appropriate size and type of screwdriver, wrench, or any other necessary tool when disassembling and reassembling appliances. By taking these precautionary measures, you can confidently tackle appliance repairs while minimizing any potential risks. Stay safe and efficient in your repair endeavors!
If you lack the necessary tools for appliance repair, having a service technician handle the repair may be more prudent than purchasing a tool you seldom use. This way, you can save time and money while ensuring the repair is expertly executed.
When it comes to DIY appliance repair, it’s crucial to remember the age-old saying: “don’t bite off more than you can chew.” Instead of risking potential damage or further complications, it’s best to rely on the expertise of Appliance Cowboys technicians. Their comprehensive training and experience allow them to diagnose and efficiently repair any appliance failure accurately. Rest assured, your appliances are in safe hands!