ABC Blog
Choose a City

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? Causes, Fixes and How to Prevent It

. Posted by in • Austin
a washing machine

A washer is supposed to keep your clothes clean, so it’s frustrating when it smells bad. The good news is that a smelly washer is not a reflection of the cleanliness of your home. A musty, sour or mildew-like smell is common and can happen to any washer.

The real culprit behind your washer’s smell is moisture buildup, detergent and bacteria. Newer washers are especially susceptible to smelling because they have tighter seals that trap moisture and residue.

This guide explains why washing machines smell, what causes the odor, how to prevent it and when to use DIY fixes versus calling in a professional.

To get expert insight, we spoke with Richard Goertz, EPA-certified Service Manager of the Appliance Repair Department at ABC Home & Commercial Services.

What Does a Smelly Washing Machine Usually Smell Like?

Similar to when your dryer smells, if your washing machine smells, … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Garbage Disposal Humming but Not Spinning

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a garbage disposal

Is your garbage disposal acting up? A common issue homeowners notice is a humming sound when they turn this appliance on. While this is often a small problem, this sound can sometimes point to a larger problem.

Garbage Disposal Humming: Quick Fix Or Big Problem?

Do you hear a humming sound when you turn on your garbage disposal? The first thing to remember is that this doesn’t automatically mean there is a significant issue with your garbage disposal. Garbage disposals make humming sounds for several reasons. There are ways to troubleshoot the issue yourself before calling in a plumber.

Some common reasons a garbage disposal may hum include:

  • Jammed shredding plate
  • Motor overheating
  • Clogged drain

Let’s dive into each of these more.

Jammed Shredding Plate

If the shredding plate inside the garbage disposal is jammed with food scraps, utensils or other items, it can’t spin properly. When you turn the … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Why Is My Dryer Leaking Water?

. Posted by in • Austin
a dryer leaking water

Your dryer can leak water for many reasons. Most of the time, it’s due to a clogged ventilation system or another common issue that can be easily resolved.

A leaky dryer can be more than just an inconvenience. It can sometimes indicate a more serious issue with your appliance. From clogged vents to faulty seals, there are several common reasons moisture may be building up. Learn how to determine if this issue can be resolved on your own or if it’s time to call in an appliance repair specialist.

Five Reasons Why Your Dryer Is Leaking Water

There are typically five common reasons why your dryer could be leaking water, which include:

  • Blocked ventilation system
  • Condensation in the exhaust duct
  • Faulty lint filter
  • Overfilled dryer
  • Unleveled dryer

Let’s examine these a bit more. Before attempting any of these fixes, turn off your dryer and … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking: What Should I Do?

. Posted by in • Austin
Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking

You’re rushing to get dinner ready on a weeknight. You grab your favorite burner, turn the knob to “Light,” and… nothing. Just endless clicking from the gas stove igniter. 

My Gas Stove Igniter Keeps Clicking: What Should I Do?

If you’re like most homeowners, the last sound you want to hear coming from an object that uses gas and gets hot is ticking. What should you do?

This is a common problem, primarily with stoves with a spark ignition system. The most important thing to know is that a clicking stove isn’t dangerous, though you should deal with it promptly.

A normal igniter clicks up to three times before it sparks and lights your stove. However, the igniter will sometimes experience constant clicking, even after the stove is lit. The following are some of the possible causes:

  • Problems with the burner
  • Problems with the spark ignition switch

Let’s go over these … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Icemaker Is Not Working: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an icemaker

With an icemaker, drinking your favorite cold beverages just got easier. Gone are the days of manually refilling ice trays, waiting for the water to freeze and prying out the ice cubes with your fingers. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t run into trouble with an icemaker. Unfortunately, a malfunctioning icemaker is one of the common refrigerator problems homeowners experience.

Is your icemaker not working? Several refrigerator components can be responsible for the problem, including the water filter, water inlet valve and freezer compartment. Before you get too frustrated, here’s a rundown of the possible culprits and how to troubleshoot the issue. If you lack DIY experience, let an appliance repair specialist take over. They have the tools and expertise to get your icemaker up and running again. These pros can also resolve other issues, such as when you’re asking, why is my fridge making a loud noise?

Icemaker Not Working? How … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

How to Make a Garbage Disposal Smell Better

. Posted by in , • Corpus Christi
a garbage disposal

Garbage disposals are powerful tools in the kitchen, making it easier for homeowners to clean up after meals. But for all their usefulness, they have one major drawback—they can get smelly. Even if you’re diligent in cleaning your garbage disposal, food particles can still build up and cause an unpleasant odor in your kitchen.

Fortunately, you don’t have to put up with any nasty smells. There are several ways to freshen up your garbage disposal and have it smell squeaky clean. In addition, keeping certain foods away from your unit will prevent clogging and unwanted odors. If you’re dealing with a stubborn clog, a plumbing professional can help get things moving.

Dealing With a Smelly Sink? Here Is How to Make a Garbage Disposal Smell Better

Anything that handles waste is bound to get smelly. Garbage disposal odors usually start with a slight sour smell in the sink. If left unaddressed, the offensive … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

Oven Not Heating Up but Stove Works: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
an oven

Ovens are essential in the kitchen. You can get over a decade’s worth of delicious cakes, cookies and other baked goodies out of them. But as with any appliance, ovens can malfunction. One puzzling issue homeowners experience is that their oven isn’t heating up, but the stove works.

You don’t have to replace your oven just yet if you’re dealing with this problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to figure out why your oven’s acting up. If all else fails, call in a pro. An appliance repair specialist can identify the cause and perform the necessary repairs and replacements. Then, you’ll be baking again in no time.

What to Do If the Oven Is Not Heating Up But the Stove Works

If your stove’s working but your oven shows no signs of life, something could be broken or malfunctioning inside. The broiling and baking elements are likely working fine, but … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Garbage Disposal Is Leaking Water

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
a sink

Is your garbage disposal leaking water? This is a problematic experience for homeowners because it can lead to a big mess and disrupt your regular kitchen activities. The good news is that most garbage disposal leaks are easy to identify and fix.

My Garbage Disposal Is Leaking Water

A leaky garbage disposal can quickly turn into a messy and annoying interruption for homeowners, so it’s best to get down to the bottom of the problem right away. First, it’s important to understand the signs of leaky garbage disposals so that you can catch the problem as soon as it starts.

There are three common signs that indicate your garbage disposal is leaking water: wet cabinets, foul odors and mysterious puddles of water.

First, it’s normal to find moisture around your lower cabinets when you have a leaky garbage disposal. If the cabinets around your kitchen sink are consistently damp, it’s likely due to your … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed

My Dryer Smells: How To Eliminate Bad Odors

. Posted by in • Austin
My dryer smells

If you’ve ever been hit with a whiff of something nasty while doing laundry and thought “Wow, my dryer smells!”, you’re not alone. Having a dryer that smells musty, sour, mildewy or worse is certainly unfortunate, but it’s not uncommon. Still, opening your dryer after doing a load of clean laundry and finding that it stinks can be a shocking experience. What could have caused the smell? Are your clothes ruined—or your dryer? Is there anything you can do to get rid of that unpleasant smell?

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to eliminate bad odors from your dryer. The very first step is to figure out what’s causing the stench. These are the likely culprits:

  • Something stinky was in your clothes in the washer and transferred with them to the dryer.
  • Something in the dryer or exhaust vent shouldn’t be there, such as a rat, squirrel or another wild animal that … Read Full Post »
Comments Closed

My Dryer Won’t Start: What’s Wrong?

. Posted by in • San Antonio
a stackable washer and dryer

It’s laundry day. You gather up the dirty clothes, towels and linens and spend hours washing them, only to find the dryer won’t start. There could be a simple reason why your dryer has stopped working. Let’s go through the most common causes behind this issue and how you can troubleshoot them.

If you’ve tried everything and it’s still not working an appliance repair specialist can come to your rescue. The appliance technician will diagnose the issue and have your dryer turning out warm and fluffy clothes again.

Possible Reasons Your Dryer Will Not Start

There are various reasons why your dryer won’t start. Some are easy to diagnose, while others need more detective work. If you can’t get to the bottom of things, you can always let an appliance repair professional take over.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

The first thing you should check if your dryer isn’t running is the circuit breaker. It may have … Read Full Post »

Comments Closed