Blog — Page 3

Lint buildup is a leading cause of dryer fires. Work through ten checks in order, from the lint screen to the outside vent hood, and know when to stop using it.

Near the beach? Salt air corrodes condenser coils, hinges, fan motors and terminals. Here is what to clean, inspect and protect on each appliance and how often.

Inspect a used range before buying: burners, oven temperature, door, gas connector, anti-tip bracket and recalls, then what to check once it is installed.

Before buying a secondhand washer or dryer, check the drum, hoses, suspension, heat, venting and recall status, then run a short cycle to see how they behave.

Check a used fridge's age, recall status, seals, coils, compressor and temperature before you hand over cash, and know the deal-breakers that mean walk away.

Moving into a San Diego rental or new duty-station home? Test every appliance on day one, document what you find, and know what belongs to the landlord to fix.

Washer and dryer in the garage? Check hoses, the drain standpipe, outlet type, dryer venting, gas connections and floor level before the next load goes in.

Garage fridge or freezer losing ground in an inland heat wave? Check the ambient rating, coils, clearance and real temperatures before food starts to thaw.