Home Improvement Guidelines

Hosting parties and holiday events can fill your home with the laughter and fun of friends and family. But it’s no laughing matter when your trusty household appliances break down just before–or even during–the big event. To make sure your home is fully equipped with the appliances you’ll need to pull your party off without a hitch, here’s an easy checklist to predict appliance repair concerns before they crop up. So instead of letting an inoperative fridge ruin your annual Christmas party or a dishwasher that’s on the fritz disrupt your family reunion, check out your appliances ahead of time and have any operational problems fixed to keep the good times rolling without any commotion.

Refrigerator

From party platters to beverages and beyond, your fridge is a key player in any festive gathering. So make sure it’s up to the job by taking a minute to evaluate its condition prior to the big day. Is your fridge making odd noises? Is it cycling on and off frequently? Does the door gasket appear to be deteriorated? Don’t forget to check the door light switches as well to make sure the interior lights are shutting off properly when the doors are closed. If the answer to any of these questions raises a red flag, call for refrigerator repair so that your fridge will be ready for the upcoming demands of your party.

Dishwasher

Without a functional dishwasher, every pot and spoon used to prepare the party food, as well as every plate and glass used during the party, will have to be scrubbed by hand. That’s enough to put a damper on even the most celebratory mood. So check for common malfunctions that necessitate dishwasher repairs: damaged door switches, crumbling door seals, loose hoses and connections. If all of these parts look good, you should be in the clear to enjoy your party while the dishwasher handles all the messy cleanup.

Washer and Dryer

While your washing machine and dryer may not be truly crucial for the success of your party, they can make life a lot easier. From laundering table linens to cleaning hand towels for the powder room, you will need your washer and dryer running for finishing those last-minute preparations as well as to help with the cleanup. To evaluate whether you may soon need washing machine repair, start a medium-sized load of laundry. Listen for strange sounds, watch for ominous vibrations, and be sure to check around the appliance for any leaks. For dryer repair concerns, follow a similar procedure. Put a load of wet clothes into the dryer, and then check for odd noises or vibrations. You’ll also want to stop the dryer about halfway through the cycle to check its temperature: If the clothes seem too hot or not hot enough, you may also have a problem.

If you do discover something is amiss with your home appliances a day or two before the gathering, you can contact your local appliance repair service to fix the issue in plenty of time. And, if, despite your precautions, one of your appliances suddenly stops working the day of the party, never fear! Most appliance repair companies provide emergency services and can be at your doorstep promptly, ready to eliminate that malfunction ASAP.

Maria Allen is a home improvement hobbyist, a cheerful host, and an Internet marketer for Prospect Genius, bringing affordable search engine optimization to small businesses.

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