Home Essentials: Your Quick Guide to Everyday Appliance Care

Got a leaky dishwasher, a noisy fridge, or a hob that just won’t heat? You’re not alone. Most households run into a hiccup with at least one major appliance every year. The good news is you don’t need to panic or break the bank. With a few simple checks and a clear idea of when to call in help, you can keep the lights on, the water hot, and the laundry spinning.

We’ve pulled together the most useful advice from our blog posts – everything from spotting a failing water heater to resetting an electric hob. Below you’ll find the top things to look for, easy DIY steps, and the signs that it’s time to let a professional take over.

Common Issues You’ll Face

Hot water heater won’t fire up – If you’re getting cold showers, check the thermostat, the pilot light (if it’s gas), and any reset button. A tripping reset often means the thermostat is overheating, which can be fixed with a quick reset or a new thermostat.

Dishwasher or washing machine leaks – Look for cracked hoses, loose clamps, or a blocked drain pump. Tightening a hose or cleaning out the pump filter usually stops the drip.

Electric hob element burns out – Turn off the power, remove the element, and test it with a multimeter. If it shows no continuity, replace it. Most hobs let you swap an element in under 15 minutes.

Oven won’t heat evenly – A faulty heating element or a bad control board can cause hot spots. Inspect the element for visible burns, then test the board for voltage. Replacing the element is cheap; a control board may need a pro.

Refrigerator makes weird noises – A rattling coil fan or a loose compressor mount is usually the culprit. Unplug, clean the coils, and tighten any loose screws.

When to Call a Pro

Some problems are just not worth the risk. If you see water around an electrical component, suspect a gas leak, or the appliance is more than a decade old and repairs keep adding up, it’s smarter to call a qualified technician.

Our team at Wells Appliance Repairs can handle everything from boiler servicing to oven control board swaps. We’ve helped hundreds of UK homes get back to normal without the guesswork.

In short, a quick visual check, a few basic tools, and the right know‑how can solve most everyday hiccups. Keep this page bookmarked, and when a new issue pops up, you’ll know exactly what to do first.

Ready to dive deeper? Browse our posts on hot water heater replacement, oven repair versus replace, and DIY hob resets. We’ve got step‑by‑step guides, handy checklists, and real‑world cost tips to help you decide fast.