Homeowner Tips for Common Home Repairs

You can resolve many common household problems without calling HomeGuard HomeWarranty to bring in a professional. The following tips will help you to understand when to call HomeGuard HomeWarranty, and when you can avoid a service call fee by correcting the problem yourself.

A/C problems

Problem: Water leaks into the walls or ceiling

Cause – Drain hose from the condenser pan is clogged (in attic installations)
Solution – Make sure the hose is able to empty the water

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Problem: Unit constantly cycles on and off

Cause – Clog in evaporator unit or blocked fan
Solution – Have a professional clean out the evaporator unit

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Problem: Air conditioner doesn’t get cool enough

Cause – Condenser coil is dirty
Solution – Clean any debris from the condenser unit so air can circulate around the fans

Cause – Direct sun on the evaporator unit
Solution – Create shade for the unit Insulation has fallen off the feed line

Cause – Insulation has fallen off the feed line
Solution – Secure the insulation firmly to line and replace any worn-out insulation

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Furnace Problems

Problem: There is no heat at all

Cause – Power is out
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker

Cause – Blower belt is broken
Solution – Replace the belt

Cause – Blower belt is broken
Solution – Call a qualified professional

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Problem: Your rooms aren’t warm enough

Cause – Filter is dirty
Solution – Replace the filter

Cause – Registers are dirty
Solution – Clean the registers

Cause – Air leaks in the ducts
Solution – Seal the ducts with duct tape

Cause – Heat exchanger is dirty
Solution – Call a qualified professionalProblem: Soot collects in your house

Cause – Filter is dirty
Solution – Replace the filter

Cause – Heat exchanger is damaged
Solution – Call a qualified professional

Cause – Ducts are dirty
Solution – Have a professional clean them

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Problem: The blower makes unusual noises – noticeable when the burner is off

Cause – Pulley is loose
Solution – Tighten the set screws

Cause – Blower mounts are worn
Solution – Put in new blower mounts

Cause – Worn belt
Solution – Replace the belt

Cause – Belt tension is too tight
Solution – Loosen the belt tension

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Washer/Dryer Problems

Washer problem: Washer will not run

Cause – No power is reaching the outlet
Solution – Check the fuse outlet box/circuit breaker

Cause – Safety switch is tripped
Solution – Distribute the clothes evenly and make sure the lid is closed

Cause – Inlet hose valve isn’t open
Solution – Open the inlet valve

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Washer Problem: Washer does not fill with water

Cause – Filters are clogged
Solution – Check and clean the inlet hose filters

Cause – A kink in one of the hoses
Solution – Straighten the water supply hoses

Cause – Timer is not set
Solution – Turn the timer slightly or press the buttons firmly

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Washer Problem: Water does not stop running

Cause – Overflow switch hose is disconnected
Solution – Replace the water hose

Cause – Overflow switch is defective
Solution – Check the switch and replace it

Cause – Timer is defective
Solution – Replace the timer or call a qualified professional

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Washer Problem: Tub fills with water but washer does not run

Cause – Lid safety switch is tripped
Solution – Make sure the lid is closed. If it is, check the switch

Cause – Too much laundry in the tub
Solution – Take some things out and wait 15 minutes for the motor to reset

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Dryer Problem: Dryer will not turn on

Cause – No power is reaching the outlet
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker

Cause – Door switch is damaged
Solution – Check the switch and replace it if necessary

Cause – Defect in the centrifugal switch
Solution – Check the switch and replace it if necessary

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Dryer Problem: Motor runs, but the drum doesn’t turn

Cause – Drum is blocked
Solution – Open the unit and look for any obstructions around the drum

Cause – Drive belt is broken
Solution – Replace the belt

Cause – Idler wheel is broken
Solution – Check the assembly and replace it if necessary

Cause – Support wheel is worn
Solution – Check the wheel and replace it if necessary

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Dryer Problem: Drum turns, but nothing gets dry

Cause – Clog in the lint trap
Solution – Clean the trap and the exhaust vent

Cause – Safety thermostat is defective
Solution – Check the thermostat and replace it

Cause – Defect in the heating element
Solution – Check the element and replace it

Cause – Timer is defective
Solution – Check the timer and replace it

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Dryer Problem: It takes too long to dry a load

Cause – Clog in the lint trap or exhaust vent
Solution – Clean the trap and exhaust vent

Cause – Dryer is overloaded
Solution – Reduce the load and try again

Cause – Clothes are too wet
Solution – Reduce the load

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Water Heater Problems

Gas Water Heater Problem: There is no hot water

Cause – Pilot light isn’t lit
Solution – Carefully relight the pilot

Cause – Pilot light won’t keep burning
Solution – Make sure the gas controls are completely turned on. Then, check and be sure it is firmly connected to the gas control unit and positioned near the pilot flame

Cause – Clog in the burner
Solution – Call a qualified professional

Cause – Defective thermocouple
Solution – Replace the thermocouple

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Gas Water Heater Problem: There isn’t enough hot water

Cause – Thermostat isn’t correctly set
Solution – Turn the thermostat higher

Cause – Thermostat is defective
Solution – Call a qualified professional

Cause – Hot water pipes are exposed
Solution – Insulate the hot water pipes

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Electric Water Heater Problem: There is no hot water

Cause – Water Heater has no power
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. If the heater repeatedly blows fuses, call an electrician

Cause – Safety thermostat has quit working
Solution – Push the reset button. Test the heating thermostats and elements

Cause – Defect in the heating elements
Solution – Test the elements and replace them if necessary

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Electric Water Heater Problem: The hot water supply is too low

Cause – Thermostat is set wrong
Solution – Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature

Cause – Tank is too small
Solution – Have a qualified professional install a larger heater

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Oven/Range Problems

Gas Range Problem: A surface burner doesn’t light

Cause – Pilot light is out or gas isn’t on
Solution – Follow the instructions for relighting the pilot on your particular range

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Gas Range Problem: Pilot light doesn’t remain lit

Cause – Pilot port is clogged
Solution – Use a small wire to clean the port

Cause – Range is in a drafty place
Solution – Try to prevent drafts near the range

Solution – Gas Range Problem: A burner is burning erratically

Cause – Burner is clogged
Solution – Clean the burner ports

Cause – Incorrect mixture of gas and air
Solution – Call the gas company

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 Electric Range Problem: The range is not working at all

Cause – No power is reaching the range
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. If you don’t find a problem, call an electrician

Cause – Defective element, wiring, terminal block or switch
Solution – Check each part for continuity and replace it if necessary

Cause – Pan is the wrong size
Solution – Use flat-bottomed pans that just cover the element

Cause – Element is damaged
Solution – Replace the element

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Refrigerator/Freezer Problems

Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, no sound can be heard and the light is out

Cause – No power at the outlet
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker

Cause – Power cord is damaged
Solution – Replace the cord

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Problem: The refrigerator has stopped running, the light is on and you hear occasional clicking

Cause – Condenser coils are dirty
Solution – Clean the coils with vacuum only

Cause – Condenser fan is defective
Solution – Check the fan (frost-free type)

Cause – Defect in the thermostat
Solution – Test the thermostat and replace it if necessary

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Problem: Frost forms rapidly or the unit does not defrost at all

Cause – Door is open too much
Open the door as little as possible

Cause – Door sags
Solution – Straighten the door

Cause – Door gasket is damaged
Solution – Test the gasket and replace it

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Problem: The refrigerator constantly cycles on and off

Cause – Defect in the compressor
Solution – Call a qualified professional

Cause – Refrigerant is leaking
Solution – Call a qualified professional

Cause – Condenser coils are dirty
Solution – Clean the coils with vacuum only

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Garbage Disposal Problems

Problem: The motor does not turn on

Cause – No power
Solution – Check the fuse box/circuit breaker. And if the disposal is plugged into a wall outlet, check the outlet

Cause – On/off switch is defective
Solution – On continuous-feed models, check the wall switch. On batch-feed models, check the stopper switch

Cause – Overload protector switch is tripped
Solution – If the flywheel is jammed, free it. Then push the reset buttonProblem: Motor hums but unit doesn’t grind

Cause – Flywheel is jammed
Solution – Free the flywheel

Cause – Motor bearings have frozen
Solution – Call a qualified professional. You’ll probably have to buy a new unit

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Problem: The disposal grinds things too slowly

Cause – Not enough water
Solution – Run more cold water when using the disposal

Cause – Improper waste in the unit
Solution – Only dispose of materials allowed by the manual

Cause – Dull shredder ring or broken flyweights
Solution – Replace defective parts

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Problem: The disposal is making an unusual amount of noise

Cause – Metallic object in the unit
Solution – Inspect the unit and fish out the object with tongs or forceps

Cause – Mounting screws are loose
Solution – Tighten the mounting screws

Cause – Flyweight is broken
Solution – Replace the broken flywheel

Cause – Motor is defective
Solution – Call a qualified professional