3 Tips for Longer-Lasting Appliances

When appliances malfunction or stop working altogether, it can be an expensive nuisance. However, an appliance problem is not necessarily indicative of something that is inherently wrong. Rather, it may point to an issue that may have been avoided through proper care and preventative action. Having appliances that function optimally and last for a long time begins with learning more about the common problems they face and how to take care of them beforehand. If you want your appliances to stay with you for years before you have to purchase new ones, here are three tips for longer-lasting appliances.

1. Keeping appliances clean is the cardinal rule of maintenance.

Appliances only have a long life if they are regularly cleaned and cared for. For example, your fridge's condenser coils can easily become clogged up, costing you money over time and causing the fridge to work overtime trying to keep your food cold. Making sure that you regularly clean out your fridge and target the coils at least three to four times per year can help it run more efficiently and lead a longer life. Of course, while this specific tip only works for one appliance, keeping things clean is a great rule to follow when it comes to other appliances like dryers, air conditioners, and even toasters. Put simply, the better you take care of them, the better they will take care of you.

2. Check your appliances to make sure that they are functioning as they should (and get help if they aren't).


Generally, our appliances will give us plenty of warning before they break completely. We just have to know where to look. Whether that means your fridge won't maintain temperature, your gas range has an orange flame rather than a blue one, or certain devices run far longer than they normally do— just keep an eye out for changes in your appliances. If you do see something that is concerning, make sure to reach out to a company that can help you like Honolulu Appliance Repair Pro. This way, an expert can help you solve the problem before your appliance becomes unresponsive or unusable. If they do end up having severe problems, turning to an expert like Honolulu Appliance Repair Pro will help you fix the problem and learn more about what you can do to prevent it in the future!

3. Avoid overloading your appliances.

Some people may think that higher-end appliances are designed to perform far better than their cheaper counterparts. While this is true to a certain extent, many appliances still have limits that need to be kept in mind when you are using them. For example, overloading your washer, your dryer, or your fridge can make it harder for them to do their job. If you've ever placed too many things in any of these devices, you may have noticed that they take longer to do things like dry your clothes or struggle to maintain a safe temperature for your food. Use your devices as intended and try not to ask too much of your appliances.

An appliance, like any other object you own, must be cleaned, maintained, and regularly evaluated in order to not only work properly but to last as long as physically possible. Appliances, however, can be especially tricky, even more so when you do not know exactly how to take care of them. If you want to make sure that your vital home devices don't break down before their time, use these three tips for longer-lasting appliances.

How to Avoid Outdoor Drainage Issues

Your outdoor space boosts the aesthetics of your home while playing other functions. Without the right drainage system, your outdoor space could be a total mess. Examples of damage that can be caused by poor drainage include soil erosion, plant damage, damage to your home’s foundation and a muddy lawn. It could also cause issues on the paved surfaces. Consider the following main causes and fixes for outdoor drainage issues.

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Causes of Poor Drainage

Most of the issues arise when drainage is not given a priority during the landscape design. For instance, if the paved surfaces are not at the right height and slope, drainage issues can happen. Gutter drain spouts that are not set up the right way, poor plant and flower bed layouts, and drain systems that are not designed properly are some of the major causes of drainage issues in homes. Some homeowners are able to identify these issues and fix them easily. However, for those without the expertise, it’s best to seek help from a qualified landscaping professional.

Getting the Right Drainage System Design

The key to avoiding issues in both the long and short term is investing in the right drainage system design for your home. Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, consider working with professionals who specialize in drainage systems. When you hire professionals, they can help in creating the best design, or redesigning what you already have to create the best drainage system that will enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space.

A professional can help you in choosing appropriate solutions such as French drains, rain gardens, rock beds, drain tube systems, dry creek beds, drainage swales, and retaining walls among others. However, note that you should not hire any professional you find. Check their experience and expertise, find out if they have fulfilled all the legal requirements for contractors in this class, and don’t forget to check if they have a good reputation.

Regular Maintenance

At some point, drainage systems can have blockages. Leaves and other substances can cause blockages, growing roots can affect drainage, and sunken spots in the yard can develop over time. It’s your responsibility to keep checking potential issues and having them fixed immediately. Other than your day to day check-up, you should also consider having a professional landscaping company come to your home every now and then for a thorough check-up and maintenance. The expert can diagnose issues that are developing slowly and fix them before they turn out to be huge problems. They can also advise you on some of the steps you can take to ensure you don’t face outdoor drainage issues.

With a proper and well maintained outdoor drainage system, you can prevent damage to your patio, keep away pests, keep your plants, trees and flowers healthy, and maintain your home’s foundation in a good condition. You have invested a lot to have a stunning outdoor space; don’t let poor drainage ruin your outdoor experience and the aesthetics of your home. And all this starts with a good plan and the right drainage system for the entire outdoor space.