Question 1

Dishwasher

Accepted Answer

Proper maintenance and care are essential in keeping your dishwasher running efficiently. By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your dishwasher and avoid costly repairs.

• Regularly use a cup of white distilled vinegar through a complete cleaning cycle of a fully loaded dishwasher. This will gently clean residues, odors, and debris from your dishwasher and keep your glassware clear.
 • If your dishwasher has a filter underneath the lower spray arm, remove all debris and rinse to protect the pump and motor seals. Replace if it has holes. A dirty filter may cause the dishwasher to not drain.
 • Keep the holes in the spray arms clear, use a toothbrush or soak in vinegar and warm water. Make sure to remove all debris and residues. Doing this regularly will remove the stress on the pumps and motor.
 • Do not overload your dishwasher. This will result in poor cleaning.
 • Check drain hoses are not impeded from draining. Remove kinks and other stoppages. Improper draining may cause the pump to overheat and burn out.
 • Do not add more than the recommended amount of detergent. Too much detergent can cause leaks and etching of glassware.

Attempting to repair a dishwasher without the proper training and safety standards is dangerous. Dishwashers should only be repaired by skilled professionals who have the knowledge and experience to safely bring them out of disrepair. Repairs performed by unqualified technicians risk serious injury or even death.

At California Major Appliance Repair, our technicians are standing by and ready to help you with any dishwasher repairs you may need. Please call (916) 715-0044 for fast, reliable professional service.

Please note that California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings on this website. All information is provided as-is. The user assumes all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

Question 2

Washer

Accepted Answer

Tips for Proper Washing Machine Use and Maintenance

To ensure that your washing machine is operating at its best, follow these simple tips:

• Use HE Detergent - Do not use regular detergents in your front-loading washing machine. These machines use less water than top-loading washers, so regular detergents can cause problems for the machine and your clothes. HE labeled detergents use a low-sudsing formula, preventing detergent from getting into areas it shouldn't, such as rear tub bearings. Use only the amount of detergent needed to clean your clothes.
 • Dilute Fabric Softener - Fabric softeners are waxy and can gum up in the washer if not diluted with water. Mix them with water before use. If your machine has a fabric softener dispenser, add the recommended amount and top it off with water. If you're pouring from a cup, use a 3-to-1 ratio of softener to water.
 • Avoid Overloading - Don't overload your washing machine. Add clothes until the unit is filled to just below the top of the agitator axle without packing down the clothes. Overloading can strain the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
 • Clean Intake Screens - Remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine once a month. Screens get clogged with sediment and mineral buildup. Replace them with flat screened washers available at hardware stores.
 • Replace Rubber Hoses - Replace rubber water-supply hoses if they're splitting, cracking, or losing flexibility every five years. Hoses that use a braided-jacket of stainless steel, although more expensive, last at least twice as long. Replace pinch-type hose clamps with more reliable worm-driven clamps.
 • Level Your Washing Machine - Level your washing machine to prevent strong vibrations during the spin cycle. Use the adjustable front and/or back leveling legs on the washer to adjust the machine to the proper height, then tighten the lock nut up against the body of the machine to keep the leg from rotating. Most machines have "self-adjusting" rear legs, but you may need to tilt the machine forward and rap on the rear legs with a hammer handle to loosen them.

Note that California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings in this web site. All information is provided as-is. The user assumes all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

Question 3

Dryer

Accepted Answer

Dryer Maintenance Tips

Regular maintenance of your dryer can help extend its lifespan and prevent safety hazards. Follow these tips to keep your dryer in good condition:

• Vent - Check the entire length of the vent pipe for lint buildup at least once a year, or more frequently if the dryer is used heavily. Remove the lint from the duct completely, and avoid pushing it back into the dryer or letting it clog any part of the vent. Make sure to use an aluminum vent pipe, as the white vinyl duct that was common several years ago may pose a fire risk.
 • Interior of dryer cabinet - Lint produced by clothes tumbling in a dryer is usually caught by the lint filter, but some lint may still accumulate on the inside of the dryer cabinet. Check the inside of the cabinet at least once a year, and clean it if necessary. Do this more frequently if the dryer is used heavily.
 • Lint filter and area under lint filter - Clean the lint filter after every drying cycle. If the lint filter has any rips or tears, replace it. If the filter is clogged by fabric softener or any other residue, you can easily clean it with a soft-bristle brush and a little detergent. Clean the chute, duct, or area where the lint filter fits into. If necessary, use a vacuum cleaner to reach into the duct and clean out any lint.
Additional tips:
 • Don't overload the dryer, as this can strain its components and cause it to wear out faster.
 • Avoid drying items that have been soaked in flammable substances, such as gasoline or cooking oil, as this can cause a fire.
 • If your dryer makes unusual noises or takes longer than usual to dry clothes, it may need repairs. Call a professional appliance repair company to diagnose and fix any issues.

Note: California Major Appliance assumes no responsibility for any risks associated with the use of this information. All information is provided as-is, and the user assumes all risk. If you do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

Question 4

Microwave

Accepted Answer

Tips for using and maintaining your microwave:

• To avoid unnecessary spatters, cover dishes with wax paper or paper towels. For foods like baked potatoes, you can also place a plate or paper towel under the food to keep the oven cleaner. Wipe up spills after cooking and wash regularly with mild detergent and water. Rinse and wipe dry with a paper towel or clean cloth. Pay special attention to the edge of the door and door opening to prevent soil buildup that could prevent the door from closing tightly. If you encounter spots that seem dried on, boil water in a glass cup for a few minutes; steam will help loosen the soil. Leave in the oven for 5 minutes, then wipe dry.
 • If odors are present, you can clean the interior with a solution of 1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 cup warm water, then rinse and dry. Alternatively, you can mix 1 part lemon juice to 3 parts water in a large glass cup and boil for 3-5 minutes. Let cool, then remove water and wipe dry. Never use abrasive pads or powders on the oven. Follow the manual directions for care. Microwave combination ovens (with convection or conventional heat) may have spills that cook on from heat present. Follow manual directions for cleaning.
 • Avoid using the microwave for deep-frying, canning, or heating baby bottles. These applications don't allow adequate temperature control for safe results. Stay near the oven when microwaving popcorn, as heat buildup can cause a fire. Time heating per instructions but lean toward the shorter time (some ovens can scorch popcorn in two minutes). If you're unsure of your wattage, check the manual.
 • Don't dry or disinfect clothing or other articles in the microwave because of the risk of fire. Use only microwave-safe utensils. Hot food melts some plastics, such as margarine tubs, causing migration of package constituents. It's a good idea to use glass for fatty foods, which get particularly hot, though not all glass and ceramics are microwave-safe. Here's a quick test for glass: Microwave the empty container for one minute. It's unsafe for the microwave if it's warm; it's okay for reheating if it's lukewarm and it's okay for actual cooking if it's cool.
 • To promote uniform cooking, recipes for microwave ovens usually include directions such as turning the food midway through cooking and covering and letting it stand after cooking. As a rule, it's not good to use metal pans made for conventional ovens or aluminum foil because reflected microwaves cause uneven cooking and could even damage the oven. However, some new metal cookware is specially configured for use in microwave ovens. These pans are safe, provided instructions for use are carefully followed. Some oven models have a protector on the magnetron tube to allow use of a small amount of metal, such as meat skewers or strips of foil over chicken wings and legs. The instructions that come with each microwave oven tell what kinds of containers to use and how to test for suitability for use.
 • Clean the door, oven cavity, and outer edge with water and mild detergent. Do not use abrasives such as scouring pads. Follow the manufacturer's instruction manual for recommended operating procedures and safety precautions. Be sure children who use the microwave know how to operate it safely. If you have an older model oven with a soft mesh door gasket, check for deterioration which would require servicing. If there are signs of rusting inside the oven, have the oven repaired.
 • Properly used, a microwave oven is extremely safe. Under the authority of the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act, FDA's-Center for Devices and Radiological Health ensures that microwave ovens made after 1971

California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings in this web site. All information is provided as-is. User assumes all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

Question 5

Garbage Disposal

Accepted Answer

Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips:

Understanding how a garbage disposal works can help you avoid problems in the future. The garbage disposal uses a spinning impeller blade to force debris into the blades along the side. As it spins, it grinds the debris through the blades into particles that can easily be flushed through the drain. The disposer relies on lots of water to turn the food bits into a slurry that can be easily flushed through the drain.

Before attempting any testing, maintenance, or repairs, please read our safety information. Make sure to unplug the disposal or shut off the power at the fuse box or circuit breaker panel to avoid unexpected operation or an electrical shock hazard.

The garbage disposal is not efficient at grinding fibrous foods like banana peels, celery, artichokes, and corn husks. Fibrous foods do not grind into particles so much as strings, which tend to jam the disposer and clog the drain.

If you have a double sink, the second sink's drain usually bypasses the garbage disposal and connects directly to the drain line just before the "P" trap.

If you have a dishwasher, typically the drain line from the appliance connects to an upside-down "Y" connector. The "Y" connector connects to an air gap above the sink. The air gap is vital to prevent a suction from occurring, which could draw sewage into the dishwasher. If siphoning occurs, air is pulled in through the air gap rather than water from the waste line.

Here are some garbage disposal tips that will help you keep your unit running smoothly:

Do:
 • Run cold water while grinding waste
 • Grind lemon or orange peels to eliminate odors
 • Let water and disposer run for several seconds after grinding is complete
 • Grind ice to clean the blades and impeller
Don't:
 • Reach into the disposer with your hand. Use tongs and only when the unit is unplugged
 • Grind fibrous foods like corn husks, artichokes, banana peels, or celery
 • Operate the disposer without running water
 • Use hot water for grinding, as it melts fats which later may clog the drain.
 • Grind coffee grounds, as they can build up in the pipes.

Please note that California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings on this website. All information is provided as-is. Users assume all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

California Major Appliance assumes no risk or responsibility in the provision of any and all information and warnings in this web site. All information is provided as-is. User assumes all risk. If you do not understand or do not accept these terms, please do not use this site or its services.

Question 6

Ice Maker

Accepted Answer

Ice Maker Tips:

If your ice maker is on the fritz, you've come to the right place. This page has all the information you need to fix your issue. If you get lost, feel free to call us.

The Whirlpool & Kitchen Aid in-door ice system is a very nice design because it frees up a large amount of space in the freezer compartment and makes the important job of dumping old ice much more convenient. Mechanically, this is a Whirlpool modular ice maker with a few extra trim pieces, a different fill tube location, and a set of control boards that have replaced the bail arm switch. Whirlpool redesigned the optics portion of this system around 2002, so there are two different diagnostic methods depending on which set of boards are installed in your refrigerator, pre or post-2002 ice maker models.

Common Issues with Whirlpool's Modular Ice Maker:
 • There is debris in my ice.
 • Frost build-up through ice dispenser chute.
 • The ice bin is a solid brick of ice.
 • Ice will not dispense through the door.
 • My ice maker is not making ice.

Ice Maker Not Making Ice:
Use the path of least resistance and check the easiest and most obvious things first. There is an optics control board with an on/off switch located in the freezer wall on the right-hand side of the freezer compartment. An infrared beam from an emitter control located on the left side of the freezer compartment is sent across the top of the ice bin to the receiver control. If this beam is obstructed by either ice or the on/off slide, the ice maker will stop making ice.

Additional Maintenance Tips:
 • Clean the ice maker regularly to prevent build-up of debris or mold.
 • Check and replace the water filter as recommended by the manufacturer.
 • Make sure the ice maker is level, as an uneven surface can affect its performance.
 • Use only fresh, clean water to make ice.
 • Do not store food or other items on top of the ice maker, as it can obstruct the ice-making process.

Free estimate with repair: (858) 353-9901

Repair Tips