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Lutz Appliance

THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE CALLING FOR SERVICE
Check everything listed below. Move to the specific type of appliance you are having the problem.

GENERAL CHECK ON ALL APPLIANCES::

Dishwashers

1) If the dishes are not getting clean: a) Make sure the water is hot enough - it should be at least 140 degrees, which is hot enough to burn you (very hot!) - If it is not hot enough, turn the hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting. b) Make sure the lower spray arm is unobstructed and is "free turning". c) Make sure the bottom inside of the dishwasher is clean and free of debris. d) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures. Use the proper amount of detergent and make sure the detergent is fresh (check expiration or "best if used by" date.).

2) If the door isn't closing: a) Make sure the latch assembly is unrestricted and latching properly. b) Make sure nothing is blocking the door from opening and closing properly.

3) If the unit is leaking: a) Make sure you are following the proper loading procedures, including proper type and amounts of detergents (run unit through cycle empty, if it doesn't leak it is probably a loading problem). b) Make sure the racks are positioned properly. c) Make sure the door is unrestricted around the opening. d) Make sure it is sitting level in the opening. Look at the space along both sides and across the top. This is normally more of a problem if the dishwasher was recently installed.  

Tech tip - If the inside of your dishwasher is beginning to brown and form mineral stains, put Lime-away (available at your grocery store) or Tang Citrus Drink into the tank during the wash cycle. The citric acid from these products will remove the mineral buildup and restore the finish.

Tech tip - If your dishwasher is developing a film on the inside, put 6-7 drops of good quality, name brand regular liquid detergent (for hand washing dishes) in the bottom and put the machine through a regular cycle. This procedure will wash away soap scum, mineral deposits, and grit. It will also allow the machine to work better. Important note - do not use more than 6-7 drops of detergent. Be proactive, prevent potential floods!

You can also use citris crystals to remove grim and build up, including Tang Citrus drink. There are a veriety of citrus products available over the counter. Call our parts department (410 682-3232 ext 100) and we can send some out to you within one day!  

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call us at (410) 682-3232 to ask additional questions or for fast, dependable service!

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Refrigerators

Today's high effieciency refrigerators will run a lot more than older units. People typically think that because the new unit is running 90% of the time that it is costing them more money to operate. New refrigerators use a modulating compressor. Even though the refrigerator is still running it is doing so at a much lower power level than at start up. The compressor speed is regulated according to internal temperatures, which is based on the amount of times the door is opened, the room temperature, the amount of food stored inside, and other factors. New refrigerators cost roughly 25% of what a similar size box that is over 20 years old costs to operate!      

1) If your refrigerator is not running or isn't cold enough   A) Turn the thermostat up to the next highest setting...

2) If it comes on, let it run for 24 hours and check temperatures to confirm it is working ok.                       A) Clear/remove anything blocking the air flow around the outside of the refrigerator (on top, underneath, behind, beside, in front of, etc.). Allow 3" of clearance all the way around.    B) If there are condenser coils on the rear of the box, make sure the box is several inches from the wall and nothing is on the top at the rear, blocking the heat from coming off the coils.  C) If the condenser coils are underneath the refrigerator, clean the coils with a vacuum cleaner thoroughly at least 2 times a year.

3) If the door is ticking or not closing properly, wipe off the face of the gasket with a wet rag and make sure the interior shelves, drawers and food are not preventing the door from closing from inside.

Tech tip - If you notice a stale or foul odor in your refrigerator, there are a number of different odor removers available. After thoroughly cleaning out the inside of the refrigerator and freezer sections, you can also try wadding up newspapers and stick them in the empty but running refrigerator for a 24 hour period. Another method is to sit an open container of baking soda in both sections, without any food in either compartment. If these methods don't work, we sell two different products, commercial grade "kleen-air" and "fridge it" (the purple odor eater). They are moderately price at around $8.00 and are extremely effective!

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call Landers Appliances at (410) 682-3232 for fast dependable service.

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Dryers

Make sure your external venting material is compliant with your owners manual requirements. If you have the improper venting have it replaced as soon as possible to avoid any potential fire hazard from lint build up. If you are unsure, call or e-mail our office and we will help you determine if you are compliant or not. Many "Use and Care" manual's show pictures of the acceptable and unacceptable types of venting  

* Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
* Never overload the dryer.
* Make sure your clean the dryer lint filter after every load.

1) If the clothes are not getting dry:

a) Make sure the dryer has not pushed back against the rear exhaust duct causing an air flow restriction.
b) Make sure the clothes are coming out of the washer spun damp dry - if the washer is not spinning the clothes damp dry, the dryer will not dry the clothes in a normal amount of time.

Tech Tip - BAD ODORS! If you are painting, refinishing wood products etc., in your house or one of your apartments, don't be surprised if the clothes that come out of your dryer smell funny. In fact, sometimes the odor will be in the air and people believe they have a chemical problem coming from their dryer. Air out the house by opening some windows and re-launder the clothes. The problem will go away in several days.

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call Landers Appliance at (410) 682-3232 for fast, dependable service.

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Freezers / Chest & Upright

1) Follow all procedures outlined under refrigerator heading.

2) Do not pack the freezer.

3) If the unit is not self defrosting and the temperatures begin to rise, check the frost build up on the inside of the freezer. If it is heavily frosted, manually defrost the freezer by turning it off at the thermostat, unplug from wall and allow 12 hours for the unit to defrost, with both doors open.

4) If the unit is not an automatic self defrosting model, defrost the unit once a year or as often as needed. Follow proper defrosting methods (do not use a knife, pick, hammer, chisel, screwdriver, etc. Or any sharp object).

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call Landers Appliance at (410) 682-3232 for fast, dependable service.

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Garbage Disposals

Always run water in the sink when you operate the unit.

1) If the unit jams/hums:

a) Turn the unit off. After turning off, remove anything that has fallen into the grinding chamber.
b) Turn the unit off After turning off, insert the "un-jam" tool into the bottom and turn clockwise. Once the tool turns freely, remove whatever was causing the jam.

2) If the unit is dead, push in the red reset button located on the bottom of the disposal - if the unit begins to hum and the reset trips again, it is jammed, see above and then push the red reset.

Tech Tip - NOISY! Garbage disposals can become noisy from the swivels on the cutter blade becoming stuck of frozen in place. You can loosen the swivels by dumping a tray of ice cubes into the grinding chamber, the same way you would grind food.
Tech Tip - ODORS! Ground orange peels will remove stale odors and put off a fresh scent.

If these tips do not solve the problem, call us at (410) 682-3232 to ask additional questions or for fast, dependable service!

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Microwaves

1) Always use microwave safe dishes. Do not microwave your food using styrofoam or any freshness wrap products.  

2) Do not use aluminum foil or anything with metal on it (unless your microwave specifically allows it. Check your owners manual).

3) Wipe the seal off with a wet rag and dry it thoroughly as often as needed.

4) Do not twist, bend, or slam the door in any way.

Tech Tip - FLASHING NUMBERS! If your microwave begins flashing numbers, won't take commands, or shows all 8's, unplug the unit and leave it off for several (15-20) seconds and plug it back in. Sometime this simple trick can reset the microprocessor and the unit will begin to work again!

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call us at (410) 682-3232 for fast, dependable service!

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Electric Ranges

1) If your coil top burners are not heating make sure they are sitting straight and in their proper position.

2) If your oven is not heating, make sure the clock is set on the manual cycle and not the automatic time bake cycle.

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Gas Ranges

1) Raise up the top and keep the area clean and free of grease build up.

2) If the top burners are not lighting, wipe off the burner head with a hot, damp rag and the dry completely.

3) If oven is not heating make sure the clock is set on the manual and not automatic cycle.

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call us at (410) 682-3232 for fast, dependable service!

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Washing Machines

* Follow the proper loading procedure and machine operation.
* Never overload the machine.

If the machine is a front loader or a high efficiency model you should probably be using HE detergent to maximize the washers effectiveness. Read the owners manual to determine the type of detergent that is recommended for your machine.

Laundry detergents are designed for specific purposes. Liquid is better at removing household stains  including grease and powders are better at removing dirt stains. As a general rule farmers and gardeners should use powder and domestic engineers should use liquid!  

1) If the machine is dead:

a) Make sure the lid is closing properly.
b) Make sure the timer and all the controls are set properly.
c) Make sure both water faucets are turned on.

Tech Tip - WELL WATER! If you are on a well system or have high sediment content in your water, insert screened hose washers in the end of both washing machine fill hoses where they attach to the external supply faucets. These screens will prevent the washing machine fill valve from collecting the debris in its screens and clogging up causing slow fill times. You may have to replace these screens periodically. It is not recommended to try and clean the screens.

If these suggested tips do not solve the problem, call Landers Appliance at (410) 682-3232 for fast, dependable service.

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