Winter Weather and Appliances: What You Should Know

Our Team is Here to Help You Stay Comfortable

We’ve all been there: it’s a chilly night, you’re trying your best to cozy up, and suddenly – an appliance stops working. It’s no secret that winter weather and appliances don’t make the best combination. Fortunately, our qualified experts at Mr. Appliance of Memphis have the solutions you need when it comes to common winter appliance issues.

Whether the appliance issue is stemming from your kitchen or your laundry room, our experienced team of technicians is here to help you get back to living comfortably in your home this holiday season. For appliance care you can trust during these colder months, we can help.

Common Winter Appliance Issues to Keep Your Eye On

With the potential for frost, ice, or snow during the winter, pipes and pumps can become frozen, resulting in a non-functioning appliance. Some common issues that may afflict appliances during the winter months include the following.

Broken Water Inlet Valves

The water channel within the water inlet valve of your washing machine can freeze over if your washer is installed on an outside-facing wall. A broken inlet valve might look like a washer that doesn’t fill (or only partially fills) with water.

Ways to prevent broken water inlet valves are to:

• Insulate washing machine hoses to avoid water reaching freezing temperatures.
• Disconnect the hose of your washing machine between uses.

“Frozen” Refrigerators and Dishwashers

Much like washing machines, the pipes in your kitchen appliances are also susceptible to freezing temperatures during the winter months. You may have a freezing issue if you notice ice, mold, mildew, or water leaks surrounding the appliance in question.

Ways to prevent frozen refrigerators and dishwashers include:

• Using a space heater near appliances – Place a space heater close to appliances installed near outside-facing walls to avoid freezing. Remember, space heaters should never be left unattended or on overnight.
• Insulating the hoses – Hoses connected to your refrigerator or washing machine should be insulated to avoid water reaching freezing temperatures.

Un-Winterized Pipes

No matter the appliance, winterized pipes are crucial as it becomes colder. Getting your appliances ready for winter is vital, as freezing water that can result in burst pipes and hazardous leaks. However, if your appliances are giving you problems as you’re trying to prepare them for winter, contact our Memphis technicians for help!

Preventative Appliance Tips for Winter

You may be wondering, “what else can I do to keep my appliances safe this winter?” As stated by American Home Shield, it is important to prepare your home for “hibernation season.” Our technicians can provide information on certain appliance care tips that we recommend year-round, no matter the season.

In addition, some winter-specific preventative appliance tips to take into consideration include:

• Making sure your refrigerator seal is clean to filter air flow – Dust tends to build up on coils during the winter months with more time spent inside. Dusting your refrigerator coils can help with airflow and prevent the refrigerator from running too hard and potentially breaking.
• Frequently checking your refrigerator’s fan motor to make sure it’s functioning properly – Much like the dirty coils, clogs can occur inside the fan, resulting in the appliance overworking and operating inefficiently.
• Cleaning vents to allow a dryer to heat properly – Vents can also become overworked during the colder month. When you regularly clean dryer vents, you prevent issues and poor operation and allow the appliance to heat evenly.
• Checking the thermostat on your oven – A malfunctioning thermostat can cause undercooked or overcooked food, putting your family’s health at risk.
• Assessing dryer lines to ensure zero clogs – A visual assessment of dryer lines can mean energy efficiency and appliance longevity. If you are unsure how to do this, a Memphis technician can assist you.

What if I Still Have a Broken or Malfunctioning Appliance This Winter?

Sometimes you can take all the preventative measures and appliances still break – it happens! If you find yourself in this situation, Mr. Appliance of Memphis is here to help. We specialize in kitchen and laundry appliance repairs, with technology-focused techniques proven to enhance appliance functionality. We can repair almost any appliance from refrigerators and freezers to ice machines and wine coolers.