We're in the repair business, so you might wonder why we'd write a guide to help you avoid calling us. The honest answer: we'd rather see homeowners spend $20 in vinegar and an hour of their time than pay $250 for a repair that preventable maintenance would have avoided. Happy customers who take care of their appliances are customers who trust us when something genuinely goes wrong.
These 10 tips come directly from our technicians — the things they tell customers after completing a repair that could have been avoided.
Clean Fridge Condenser Coils
The condenser coils, located under or behind your refrigerator, dissipate heat from the cooling cycle. When they're coated in dust and pet hair, the compressor works harder to compensate — shortening its life. A vacuum attachment and a coil brush take 10 minutes and can noticeably lower your energy bill.
Check and Clean Fridge Door Gaskets
The rubber seal around your fridge door keeps cold air in. Cracks, tears, or a gasket coated in food residue allows warm air to enter — forcing the compressor to run more. Test it: close the door on a piece of paper; if it slides out easily, the seal is weak. Clean gaskets monthly with warm soapy water.
Wipe and Air-Dry Front-Load Washer Door Seal
The most common front-load washer issue we see in Toronto condos: mold on the door seal. After every wash, wipe the seal dry with a cloth and leave the door ajar. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with a proper washer cleaner tablet or two cups of white vinegar on a hot cycle. This prevents the musty smell and the seal deterioration that leads to leaks.
Check Washer Hoses Annually
Your washer connects to the water supply through rubber or braided hoses. Rubber hoses degrade and can burst — flooding your laundry room or the unit below in a condo. Inspect hoses for cracks, bulges, or corrosion at the connections. Replace rubber hoses every 5 years; stainless-braided hoses every 8–10 years. This is one of the most overlooked preventative steps for Toronto condo owners.
Clean the Dryer Lint Trap After Every Load
A clogged lint trap is the most preventable dryer problem — and one of the leading causes of dryer fires in Canadian homes. Clean it after every single load. Twice a year, wash the trap with warm soapy water (fabric softener residue blocks the mesh even when you can't see lint). A clean trap means shorter drying times and lower electricity bills.
Clean the Full Dryer Vent Duct Annually
Lint bypasses the trap and accumulates in the duct that exhausts to the outside. A blocked duct reduces efficiency, increases drying time, and creates a fire risk. If your dryer takes 2+ cycles to dry a load, the vent is likely partially blocked. You can clear shorter runs with a vent brush kit; longer runs in Toronto condos with complicated duct routes should be professionally cleaned.
Clean Dishwasher Filter Monthly
Modern dishwashers have a removable filter at the bottom of the tub. Food debris accumulates here and recirculates onto dishes if left uncleaned. Pull it out, rinse under running water, and use a soft brush to clear any residue. A clean filter means cleaner dishes, less odor, and reduced strain on the pump.
Run Hot Dishwasher Cleaning Cycle
Place a cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot cycle monthly. Follow with a baking soda sprinkle on the bottom and another short hot cycle. This removes mineral buildup from Toronto's hard water, which clogs spray arms and reduces dishwasher performance over time.
Calibrate Oven Temperature
Most ovens drift 15–25 degrees from their set temperature over time. An inexpensive oven thermometer (under $15) reveals the true temperature. Most digital ranges allow temperature offset calibration through the settings menu — check your manual. Accurate oven temperature improves baking results and prevents overcooking damage to elements from compensatory heat cycling.
Level Your Washer and Dryer
An unlevel washing machine vibrates excessively during the spin cycle, loosening connections, fatiguing drum bearings, and walking across the floor. Use a spirit level and adjust the leveling feet (turn clockwise to lower). This is one of the simplest fixes with the highest impact on washer longevity — yet most homeowners never check it.
Even with the best maintenance, appliances eventually need professional attention. Our refrigerator repair and washer repair services across Toronto and GTA are available same-day when something does go wrong.
Something Already Gone Wrong?
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