Property owners purchase home warranties to protect vital systems, installations, and major appliances in their properties. However, clauses in the warranty define the responsibilities of the homeowner, and they are required to complete maintenance services for these home features. To maintain coverage under the warranty, the property owner must follow maintenance requirements as directed by the contract.
When reviewing home warranty plans, they have the option to add major appliances. Common appliances that are added to a home warranty include the washer and dryer. Homeowners must maintain these appliances by following vital tips.
The Importance of Cleaning the Lint Trap
When maintaining the dryer, it is vital for the homeowner to clean out the lint trap completely. It is necessary to remove the lint after each cycle to keep it cleaner and prevent lint from getting sucked further into the dryer.
There are products available to clean out the lint trap and prevent the lint from escaping further into the dryer and causing a fire. Property owners can find more helpful tips if they read this blog right now.
Professional Venting Duct Cleaning
As a standard maintenance task, the property owner must have the venting duct cleaned professionally. The dryer vents can get clogged up, which can lead to some complications. The worst thing that could happen is it may be a cause of a house fire. A certified technician will open up the venting duct and remove all lint and debris that has accumulated in the part. If lint and debris are not removed properly, the dryer could overheat and present a fire hazard.
A home warranty makes hiring a professional to clean the venting duct more affordable, and the property owner could avoid serious risks that could lead to a total loss of the property and personal injuries. Dryer fires could happen with little warning and place the homeowner and their family at risk.
Never Overload the Washer or the Dryer
By overloading either appliance, the property owner can cause damage that requires repairs, the property owner must stop at the fill line when loading the washing machine. The owner’s manual will present instructions on where the line is, and they should avoid piling clothes above the line. They should avoid filling the dryer up completely to prevent serious issues for the appliance.
Replace Water Hoses If They are Damaged
The water hoses are vital for filling the washer with water and draining it during each cycle, and the property owner must inspect the water hoses at least once a month. If the washer becomes unbalanced and moves around too much, this could damage the water hoses and cause a water leak.
It will also prevent the washer from filling up with or draining water without a water leak. By replacing damaged hoses, owners can maintain their washer and avoid property damage. A home warranty may cover a portion of the cost of replacing the hoses.
Clean Out the Washing Machine
Yes, property owners must use at least one cycle a week to clean the interior of the washing machine itself. If they do not, the washer will become coated in debris from their dirty laundry, and the debris will find its way back onto the clothes.
They will notice unpleasant smells over time, and the homeowner will end up wasting more water trying to get their laundry clean. It’s an easy process, and they can just add vinegar and baking soda to the delicate cycle to get the washer cleaner.
Use a Drip Pan for Second Floor Laundry Rooms
A common issue multi-story property owner have is a leak from the washing machine flowing to the floors beneath it. An easy fix for the dilemma is to install a drip pan underneath the washer, and they will need to clean out the drip pan after every five washes.
It will keep the property safer, and a home warranty decreases the cost of the installation. With the drip pan, the homeowner avoids excessive moisture in their floors, walls, and ceilings. They will also avoid mold developments that often spread throughout the property after a water leak.
Never Closes the Washer Lid If It Isn’t in Use
By keeping the washing machine’s lid open when it is not in use, the washer will remain dry and won’t develop mold or mildew. If they close the lid after they remove their clothes, the moisture will remain in the washtub and increase the risk of not just mold and mildew but provide the conditions that allow bacteria from the laundry to thrive.
It also eliminates the annoyance of having to open the washer when they need to use it. They can just walk into the laundry room with an arm full of clothes and load them into the washer immediately.
Never Add Too Much Detergent to the Washer
With easy-to-measure liquid and powder laundry detergents, the property owner should never add too much detergent to a load. Inexperienced property owners who are new to washing their own clothes will need to heed this advice or face a serious debacle.
When too much detergent is added, the washer will produce far too many soap suds, and these suds will flow all over the laundry room floor. It will take at least one more cycle to eliminate the soap inside the washing machine, and the property owner will have to clean up a major mess because of this mistake.
Use Smaller Load for Bulky Clothing and Linens
It is recommended that property owners add one or two bulky items to the washer or dryer at a time. This will prevent the dryer from overheating during each cycle. Bulky items may require more than one cycle to dry, and the property owner must avoid overloading these items to reduce wear and tear on the appliance.
Property owners purchase a home warranty to protect major appliances and give them discounts on repairs and replacement services. The home warranty is a great asset, and the homeowner could replace major appliances without facing major expenses. By following maintenance tasks, the property owner won’t have to worry about voiding the warranty or facing a denial in coverage.