FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have questions that aren't answered here, please call us at 888-966-1950, contact us online, or check out our service tips page.
Q: Are all your technicians licensed, bonded, and insured?
Q: Where are you located?
Q: Is your trip charge included if I authorize the repair?
Q: Is my appliance worth repairing?
Q: How much will it cost to recharge my refrigerator with Freon?
Q: How much will it cost to…?
Q: My washer (or dryer) shakes a lot and I'm worried it's going to shake away from the wall or cause damage to the floor. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
Q: My washer is giving off an unpleasant smell, what can I do about this?
Q. What are safety "Must Haves,” and are they that important?
Q. Are there any foods that I should not put in my disposal?
Q. A pen exploded in my dryer. How can I clean off the ink and make the dryer safe for future use?
Q. There is an unpleasant smell coming from my refrigerator, how can I get rid of that smell?
Q: Are all your technicians licensed, bonded, and insured?
A: Yes.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We have eight locations throughout the Chicagoland area. We have locations in Chicago, Park Ridge, Mundelein, Wheaton, Naperville, Downer's Grove, Schaumburg, and Winnetka, Our trip charge is the same regardless of distance with the rare exception of customers located outside of our service territory, or customers located in areas like the Chicago Loop where parking becomes a problem. Our Customer Assistance Center and parts counter is located at 416 Higgins Rd in Park Ridge, IL.
Q: Is your trip charge included if I authorize the repair?
A: Yes, it is part of the itemized labor total. Our technicians have a standardized labor guide that will show you exactly what we charge for the total repair, including the trip.
Many companies will say that they "waive" the trip charge if you continue with the repair, which really means that they've built that trip charge into their labor quote. In other words, you're still paying for the trip, they're just calling it "labor".
Q: Is my appliance worth repairing?
A: In general, it's far more economical to repair a unit than to replace it, particularly when you account for the cost of delivery and installation.
Some businesses use their service departments as a sales tool and often will try to sell you a new unit regardless. We are serious about repair and will give you an honest assessment of what we believe to be in your best interest. If we do find that it is in your best interest to replace the unit, you will be advised of this, and we will be happy to assist you in your purchase.
Some other things to consider before purchasing a new unit: First, older units tend to last much longer, even after a repair, than newer units. In the appliance business, they really don't make them like they used to. Second, repairing is much more eco-friendly than replacement. Not only does throwing away an appliance create a lot of waste, but materials used in appliances can be very harmful to the environment.
Q: How much will it cost to recharge my refrigerator with Freon?
A: A refrigerator does not use up refrigerant. There are many things that may cause your refrigerator to stop cooling properly, and a lack of refrigerant is probably not the issue.
However, if your refrigerator is low on refrigerant, you have a leak. Putting more refrigerant in it without fixing the leak will not solve your problem, but more importantly, it would be illegal. Leaking refrigerant is harmful to the environment and we cannot ethically or legally put more into a refrigerator without fixing the leak. Furthermore, if you have a leak, your system will become contaminated, and if left untreated, this contamination will eventually lock up your compressor, rendering your unit unusable and very expensive to repair.
Q: How much will it cost to…?
A: Unfortunately, we can only give a quote for a repair after we have inspected and diagnosed the product in person. We are happy to answer any questions we can before coming out, but the only thing we can be sure of before seeing the unit is the cost of the trip.
However, if you know what you want replaced before you recieve a diagnosis, we can tell you what the part will cost and make sure that the technician has it with him when he comes out. However, we cannot warranty work based on someone else's diagnosis, and if returned, these parts will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. Furthermore, labor quotes given over the phone are subject to adjustment on site should circumstances call for it. Electrical parts, if opened, are not returnable under any circumstances
Q: My washer (or dryer) shakes a lot and I'm worried it's going to shake away from the wall or cause damage to the floor. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
A: There are a number of things that could cause this problem, including overloading your washer/dryer. If the unit is problematic even with small loads, we recommend trying Kellet ShakeAway™ pads, which can be purchased in our online store.
Q: My washer is giving off an unpleasant smell, what can I do about this?
A: There could be a number of causes, but if you have a high efficiency washer, most likely you're experiencing a build-up of detergent and dirt. HE washers don't use as much water, and therefore can't wash out the tub as effectively. Bleach doesn't typically clear out this residue, so we recommend AFFRESH Washer cleaning tablets, which is specifically designed to break up that residue and clean out your washer. You can Affresh in our online store.
A: Yes, they are that important, safety is always first! A few must haves would be: fire extinguisher; shut-off valves for gas appliances; current or new gas connectors; smoke detectors; and carbon monoxide detectors.
* If you are in doubt about the gas connectors, have them professionally inspected, they could be extremely dangerous.
* A fire extinguisher should always be kept in the kitchen area at minimum.
* Each gas appliance should have its own, independent shut-off valve.
* Smoke detectors should be installed. Be sure to change the batteries in the spring and fall when you change the clocks.
* Monoxide detectors should also be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Nighthawktm brand with a digital LED display is a type of non-battery detector that re-samples the air in two-minute intervals to accurately log events which can prevent false alarms. Always locate in sleeping quarters, never around items such as stoves, water heaters, furnaces, etc.
A: Generally older appliances are more durable and long-lasting than the newer product being made today. Modern models have wonderful features, but do need more maintenance and repair than their older counterparts. It is wise to get an estimate for repair before replacing. The general rule of thumb is to not exceed 35% of the total replacement cost: = product, tax, delivery, extraction of old appliance, etc.
A: Don't ignore broken oven doors. Ovens are not furnaces, and are not connected to a chimney to vent dangerous combustion gases outside. A broken door will not allow the oven thermostat to acclimate or shut off, so monoxide continues to be produced from the continued combustion rather than stop. This broken door seems minor, but is actually potentially deadly.
A: Absolutely! Virtually all manufacturers recommend it be done once a year or more as noted in the owner's "Care and Use Manual." It saves electricity, minimizes bio concerns, and ultimately helps extend the life and productivity of the refrigerator. We have a regularly scheduled service program for our customers to enroll in….it is that important!
A: There could be a malfunction inside the dryer preventing the proper heat from being attained so the dryer should be inspected. Many times, however, the problem is as simple as having the dryer vent cleaned properly and professionally. As well as being inconvenient, this build-up of lint is a potential fire hazard, and should not be taken lightly.
A: No! There is a safety temperature control that governs when it is safe to open the door. Allow some time to pass. It should open up after it cools down. If, after several hours, it still won't open, call for service.
A: No. If gas burner valves start "grinding," turning hard, or breaking the knobs, we can often repair the valves before they require total replacement - if caught in time.
A: Yes, unfortunately it can. That is why it is important to understand the proper temperature activation and lifetime of the detergent you use. Check the soap manufacturer recommendations on the back of the box. Typically temperature activation is around 72 degrees F, and the lifetime of the soap while sudsing is 15-20 minutes. Temperature of the water is important and should not be ignored! Cold temperature refers to about 70 degrees F, not 40 degrees F! So in the winter in the Chicago area, the cold water supply out of Lake Michigan can fall below activation temperature resulting in no cleaning action at all! Medium temperature may be needed in the winter in your area. Also, after laundry is completed, many experts recommend that you run an empty bleach cycle to kill the remaining potential bacteria, and an extra rinse cycle to get rid of the bleach fully.
One other note about washers….NEVER overload a washer! This puts stress on its motor and transmission. One time is enough to do irreparable harm. Imagine towing a semi-tractor with your Ford Escort. The Escort might survive that single event, but the material stresses have killed the life of the vehicle. Blue jeans and cotton towels are the "semi-loads" of the laundry world.
A: Unplug the appliance or turn off the power source immediately at the fuse or circuit breaker. Then call for service. It is also possible that there was a spill, and that the components are wet. The clicking may stop when they dry out.
A: Yes, according to Linda Cobb, the Queen of Clean, place vanilla extract in a bowl, and microwave for 30 seconds. Leave the door closed for twelve hours. Remove the vanilla and wipe down the inside of microwave. The smell of popcorn should be gone.
A: Linda Cobb recommends that to remove rust from the inside of a dishwasher, fill both detergent cups with Tang™ Breakfast Drink and run through a normal cycle. When doing this, do not put detergent or dishes in the dishwasher. If rust is bad, several treatments may be required.
A: Yes, do not grind bones or celery in your disposal!