Common Household Appliances that Break Down Way Too Often

It never seems to fail. You have guests coming for dinner in just a few hours and your refrigerator goes on the fritz. You call the repair company and when they arrive, they give you the good news. The refrigerator can be repaired in only about an hour.

But they also give you bad news. It’s going to cost you a lot more to repair and considering many of us live paycheck to paycheck (yes, even seemingly well-off people), this is going to be tough.

The truth of the matter is that even some of the best brand appliances break down eventually. Once their warranties go out of date, you are responsible for paying for the repairs or replacement. However, there are other options such as investing in an appliance warranty plan, which can be paid monthly and help give you peace of mind.

With that in mind, you will be relieved to know that it’s never too late to purchase a home warranty which will cover all your appliances.

According to a recent report by Uncle Harry’s Appliance Repair School, just about every household in the U.S. (around 122 million) contains at least one major appliance like a washing machine, a refrigerator, a garbage disposal, and more. Some households possess just a few of these items, and yet others contain more, including speciality appliances like wine coolers.

The average lifespan of these appliances is said to generally range from 10 to 15 years. However, within the first five years of their life, they will almost definitely encounter some sort of mechanical problem.

It’s reassuring to know that most of these problems can be repaired by a certified mechanic as opposed to being replaced which will save you some money. However, if you have a home warranty, it won’t cost you much.

That said, here’s a list of some common household appliances that seem to break down all too often.

The Refrigerator

Says Uncle Harry, about 40 percent of all refrigerators will face some kind of mechanical problem within the first five years of their first being plugged in. The most common problem? Nearly 25 percent of consumers report the fridge isn’t cooling as well as it should. Another five percent complain that the ice maker is broken. Still another 3 percent report leaks.

July, which is the hottest month of the year, is said to be the when the most refrigerator breakdowns will occur (along with the AC). This is because refrigerators are required to work that much harder to keep food and drinks cold during excessive heat. 

The Dishwasher

It’s said that approximately 30 percent of all dishwashers will experience a mechanical problem within their first five years of service. The most common problem reported by over ten percent of consumers is that they are not cleaning properly. Another seven percent will complain that it won’t dry properly or that the control panel isn’t working right.

In many cases, the problem with a broken dishwasher is that its drain pump requires repair. If the drain pump is out of order, dirty water will be regurgitated back into the system instead of draining.    

The Washing Machine

It’s believed that upwards of 30 percent of even the best brand-name washing machines will have a mechanical problem within their first five years of home service. One of the biggest consumer complaints is the presence of mould on the front-loaders, or so claims about 15 percent of consumers.

Others (around six percent), complain that the drum is not spinning right or spinning at all. Five percent of others find to their horror that the washing machine isn’t draining all that filthy water. Finally, about three percent complain that the appliance just won’t start.

Microwaves Over-The-Range

One-quarter of all over-the-range microwaves will break during the first five years of service. The most common complaint from five percent of consumers is that the control buttons are not functioning properly or are entirely broken.

Another 4 percent complain that the machine is making a lot of noise. Yet an equal percentage of consumers will complain that their food isn’t being heated properly. 4 percent will also complain that the door doesn’t shut right.

Another big complaint is that the microwave plate has ceased to turn.  

The Dryer

It’s said that about 20 percent of all dryers will have a mechanical problem within the first five years. 20 percent of consumers will complain that it no longer heats properly. 5 percent complain about a broken drum, and another five percent attest that the machine won’t start.

With all appliances almost guaranteed to break down during their first five years of service, why wouldn’t you invest in a home warranty?

This is a collaborative post.

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