10 Point Wellness Checks
for
Appliances
Dryers
Visually inspect belt, rollers and other internal dryer components
Visually inspect power cord and dryer side connections
Visually inspect water hose and connections on dryers with steam option
Vacuum inside of dryer cabinet and blower housing
Check/tighten all internal dryer hardware to prevent loose components from causing squeaks/rattles - * Note - some older dryers may have normal wear and tear which causes minor squeaks or rattles that cannot be resolved.
Check door latch, switch, hinges and door springs for proper alignment and operation
Check operating temperatures
Check for unusual noises indicating possible component wear/failure
Visually check vent hose and exhaust outlet for potential issues or obvious blockages and airflow restrictions - vent cleaning by a reputable Dryer Vent cleaning service may be recommended.
Check general operation and evaluate overall condition of unit.
Washers
Visually inspect fill and drain hoses for leaks or unusual wear/swelling
Check that unit is level
Check condition of wash tub suspension components
Check belt and pulleys when equipped, Check Rotor hardware on direct drive units
Check for stored error codes, perform any firmware updates on GE units that require updating
Visually check under Top Load washer for any signs of oil or water leakage from tub seal, transmission, etc.
Check door boot for rips/tears/mold on front load machines, check for mold buildup in front load dispensers, check condition of splash guard for burrs that could snag clothing and operation of dispensers on top loaders
Check for unusual noises indicating possible component wear/failure, specifically tub bearings.
Check door latch, switch, hinges and other door components for proper alignment and operation
Check general operation and evaluate overall condition of unit.
Dishwashers
Visually inspect tub for rust, melted spots or warping that could cause leaks on stainless and plastic tub units.
Visually inspect condition of door gasket and seals
Visually inspect under dishwasher - remove kick plate and check for leaks, check electrical connections, signs of critters, etc.
Check overall installation and mounting - dishwasher level, secure under cabinet, etc.
Check water connection for signs of leakage, check for location of emergency shutoff and communicate this to customer if unaware.
Check spray arms for blockages, melting, loose components
Check rack components and rollers for breakage and wear
Check fill and drain times, clean strainer basket if present.
Run calibration cycle or check unit for firmware updates where applicable.
Check general operation and evaluate overall condition of unit.
Range/Cooktop/Oven
Visually check condition of burners, glass top, drip pans, burner elements, etc.
Check operation of surface burners
Check condition of control panel and burner switches, check switch hardware and knobs for proper operation.
Check operation of bake and broil elements, check convection fan operation where applicable.
Check oven door for proper opening and closing, handle hardware secure, outer door glass hardware secure, check condition of door hinges.
Check condition of oven liner and door seal.
Check oven light operation, replace customer supplied bulb if needed.
Check power cord and electrical connection at range where applicable.
Check cooling fan operation on drop in ranges and wall ovens.
Check general operation and evaluate overall condition of unit.
FAQ
Why should I have my appliances checked? Won’t they just run until there is a problem?
It’s true that many appliance failures cannot be prevented and often an appliance will break down without giving any early signs of failure. However, having regular checks performed can catch other issues such as leaks, clogged vents or electrical issues that may result in damage to your home if not detected early.
What are some examples of appliance issues that can actually damage my home?
Dryer fires resulting from a clogged or insufficiently maintained vent, causing lint to build up inside dryer cabinet.
Electrical fires or shock hazards resulting from loose or overheated power cord connections
Water damage resulting from burst rubber hoses or leaking water supply connections behind or under appliances where leaks may be hard to notice. This is especially true of the area under your dishwasher where a tub or pump leak can cause extensive floor damage over time which is usually hidden by the dishwasher kick plate.
Overflowing washer drain pipe due to a blockage or slow drain, or an improperly secured drain hose which can come loose and not direct water into the drain.
A cracked or damaged overflow pan under a washer, this is especially important in second floor laundry areas. This is not an appliance issue per se, but it’s something that would be noticed and reported during a regular check of the washer.
What if there is a problem, but I am unable to get the issue repaired right away or it costs too much to fix?
You are NEVER under any obligation or pressure to have a suggested repair done. The results of the Wellness Check are only to provide a general indicator of your appliance health and to make you aware of any issues that may be present. If you do decide to have Appliance Yikes complete a suggested repair within 30 days of your evaluation, the cost of your Wellness Check is applied to the total for that repair.
Example 1 : You have a Wellness Check performed on your dishwasher and you have a leaking pump resulting in some water damage under the dishwasher. You decide to buy a new dishwasher and have the floor repaired under the dishwasher while the old one is out. At this point, you only owe for the Wellness Check which saved you from more extensive damage had the leak gone undiscovered.
Example 2: You have a Wellness Check performed on your dishwasher and you decide to have your missing rack rollers replaced. The cost of the Wellness Check is applied toward your total for the repair.
Example 3: After discovering a leaking pump in Example 1 and after shopping for a dishwasher and having someone look at the floor and determine that the damage isn’t major enough to warrant any sort of repair to the flooring, you decide after a couple of weeks to just have the pump replaced after all. If this is within 30 days of your Wellness Check, the cost of the Wellness Check will still be applied to the total for the repair.
I want to get a Wellness Check on more than one appliance during the scheduled visit, is it a separate charge for each appliance?
The 65$ Wellness Check applies to the first appliance, additional appliances can be added on for $40 each for that scheduled visit. If any recommended repairs are performed, only the initial $65 Wellness Check fee is applied to the cost of the repairs, but this applies regardless of which appliance is repaired.
Example: if you schedule a Wellness Check for your Washer, dryer and dishwasher the total for the visit with no repairs would be $145 - that’s $65 for the washer and $40 each for the dryer and dishwasher. If only the dryer needs some work done, the $65 would still apply to the dryer repair, even though it was the add on at $40. If multiple appliances need repairs and you decide to have all the repairs done, the add on fee for that appliance will be applied to the total.
Why wouldn’t I just call for an appointment when something breaks?
Appliances rarely break on your schedule. Wellness Checks allow you to take control of breakdowns. By choosing to have a Wellness Check, you can hopefully find out about issues before you have a total failure that has to be prioritized at the last minute. Wellness Checks can be scheduled in advance or even on a regular basis. Finding out you have a failure about to happen can also allow you to more conveniently arrange for repairs at a time when you have all your laundry caught up or have some work from home time scheduled. Also the cost of the Wellness Check is less than the cost of a regular service call, so in a situation where you just think you might have an issue, it could be cheaper to just schedule a Wellness Check on that appliance instead.
My appliance is covered by an extended warranty or home warranty, why would I need a Wellness Check?
Most warranties don’t cover preventative maintenance, so they don’t help until you have an actual failure. Having a Wellness Check could also reveal issues that may be covered by your warranty, such as a leaking dishwasher pump that you weren’t aware of or a melted wiring connection on your stove or dryer that may also be covered by your existing warranty. There is no obligation to have Appliance Yikes perform any suggested repairs, you would only pay the fee for the Wellness Check.