Companies who receive the BBB seal are able to utilize the BBB trustmark seal which provides consumers assurance and confidence in businesses. Based upon the public’s trust of the Better Business Bureau, many consumers ultimately choose to shop only on websites that display the BBB seal. RepairClinic is proud to have received this accreditation, symbolizing trust and integrity, invaluable characteristics of a successful business.Businesses must apply and are pre-screened to be eligible for this accreditation.

There are strict criteria which must be met, areas where businesses must “pass the test” -- known as the “BBB Standards for Trust”— a portion of which are listed below. As you can see, the standards are very high, and RepairClinic.com is pleased to have fulfilled them. Customers may view the BBB Reliability Report for Repairclinic.com at www.bbb.org.

Build Trust Establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace.

Advertise Honestly Adhere to established standards of advertising and selling. Tell the Truth Honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.

Be Transparent Openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy.

Honor Promises Abide by all written agreements and verbal representations. Be Responsive Address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith.

Safeguard Privacy Protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of consumers regarding the use of their information.

Embody Integrity Approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.

About the Better Business Bureau
BBB is an unbiased organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Businesses that earn BBB accredited business status contractually agree and adhere to the organization’s high standards of ethical business behavior. BBB provides objective advice, free business Reliability Reports and charity Wise Giving Reports, and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. To further promote trust, BBB also offers complaint and dispute resolution support for consumers and businesses when there is a difference in viewpoints. The first BBB was founded in 1912. Today, 128 BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities.

About RepairClinic.com
Founded in Canton, Michigan, in 1999, RepairClinic.com® is the most comprehensive online resource for do-it-yourself home appliance repair help, including online appliance parts sales and detailed appliance repair information. The site features more than 80 appliance brands—including Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, Frigidaire, and LG—across 16 appliance types (e.g., washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, ovens, and dishwashers). Do-it-yourselfers use the helpful database, PartDetective®, to find the part they need or the leading-edge service, RepairGuru®, for free, customized repair help. Appliance parts are stocked in a 72,000 sq. ft. facility and shipped the same business day. Visit http://www.repairclinic.com for more information.

For media inquiries, contact:
Luanne Berk , Public Relations
RepairClinic.com
48600 Michigan Avenue
Canton, MI 48188-2240
734-495-3079
ext. 303
lberk@repairclinic.com

Labels: RepairClinic Coupons

Microwaves have average lifetime expectancies. Maintaining your microwave properly can extend it's lifetime indefinitely.

1. If you have to do any kind of repair or maintenance on the microwave, make sure to unplug it from the power supply.
   
2. Use a properly grounded outlet.
   
3. Use a surge protector to protect the microwave from power surges as a surge can damage sensitive internal equipment.
   
4. Some newer microwaves have built in surge protection, and you should take advantage of these appliances whenever you can.
   
5. Clean the interior often to help ensure good microwave oven performance. Those food particles left inside still absorb the microwave energy and can cause interior burns to your microwave. Mild soap and water works well. We also carry microwave specific cleaners in the cleaning section of our parts finder.
   
6. Wipe down the outside touch panels with a damp, soapy cloth. Rinse the cloth with fresh water and re-wipe to remove leftover soap.
   
7. Do not heat food with foil wrapping. You may use paper towels or microwave safe lids to cover foods.
   
8. Never use metal containers to heat foods in the microwave.
   
9. Never run the microwave empty. You run the risk of damaging the magnetron and other components from feedback.
   

Microwave ovens are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

They set and enforce rules of performance to assure radiation emissions do not pose a hazard to public health.

Proper use and maintenance, as recommended by the user manual, is an important part of microwave oven safety.

Labels: Microwave Parts

MOST COMMON OVEN PROBLEMS

INCORRECT OVEN TEMPERATURE
If your oven temperature is off, the most likely cause is a bad oven sensor. The sensor is mounted to the back wall inside the oven cavity and looks like a metal rod about 3-6 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. Replacing the sensor is easy. Two screws hold it to the back wall and there is a quick disconnect harness plug on the other side. Make sure not to lose the other end of the harness behind the wall. Another possible cause is the oven control board – a simple but somewhat more expensive repair.

BAKING TAKES TOO LONG (GAS OVENS)
This typically happens due to a weak oven igniter. The igniter comes on several times during the baking cycle to fire up the oven burner. If the igniter is too weak, it won’t start up every time. Replacing an oven igniter is simple and inexpensive. A new oven igniter typically costs around $40-$50 and usually takes about 15-30 minutes to replace.

UNEVEN COOKING
This is not so much a technical problem and usually occurs when people fail to properly preheat the oven prior to baking. Check your oven use and care manual for instructions on how to preheat your oven.

TIP: After your oven tells you it is done preheating, let it preheat for another 5 to 7 minutes. Here’s why: The oven sensor heats up and signals the oven to shut off the preheat cycle. The oven inner walls however are still not hot enough and will keep on absorbing the heat, thus lowering the temperature inside the oven. By preheating the oven for an extra 5 minutes you will help keep the heat inside the oven nice and even.

OVEN IS FLASHING AN ERROR CODE
Error codes help identify the problem, which of course makes the repair easier. The F3 code, for example, usually means the oven sensor is bad.

BRAND SPECIFIC PROBLEMS
Most Whirlpool and KitchenAid oven models made within the past ten years or so incorporate a thermal fuse, located on the back wall of the oven. When the fuse fails, the oven control board will continue to function and will even let you turn on the bake cycle. Of course, the oven itself won’t function at all. The fuse is inexpensive; however this repair usually requires removing the oven from the cabinet which is not a simple task.

TIP: Do not use the self cleaning cycle on or before a major holiday like Easter. The oven may overheat and damage a key component such as the fuse or the main control board.

If you have a GE oven displaying an F7 code, this usually indicates that the touch pad, also called membrane switch, is bad and needs to be replaced. Replacing the touch pad is pretty straight forward and normally takes about 30 minutes or less.

Labels: oven parts

Before we get started, the answer is yes - get your dryer vent cleaned!

Getting your dryer vent cleaned (or even cleaning it yourself is of the upmost important to possibly saving your own life) - or at the least .. extending the life of your clothes dryer.

Even a cleaned lint screen traps only 75% of the lint produced inside a dryer. The rest of the lint builds up over time inside the dryer vent, becoming a fire hazard. Dryer lint is highly flammable and has the potential to ignite at any time.

Cleaning your Dryer Vents serves a number of purposes:

• It protects your home & its contents from fires, smoke and pollutants
• Significantly reduces energy operating costs
• Dryers run more efficiently
• Dryers will last longer
• Clothes will dry faster

For DIY type people - here is a general step-by-step to clean your dryer vent:

• Unplug the clothes dryer (from both gas & electric). If you have a gas clothes dryer, shut off the gas.
• Pull the dryer out, just to the extension of your dryer vent, (usually about 2 feet).
• Using a screwdriver or nut driver, loosen the 4" clamp (dryer vent clamp) on the back of the dryer.
• Slide the vent off the dryer.
• Reach into the hole on the back of the dryer, and pull out any lint and buildup. A shop or house vacuum cleaner can help reach inside and usually does a good job of removing the lint.
• Reach into the dryer vent tubing you just took off and pull out lint from there, as well. The vacuum works well here also.
• Look at the ends. Most of the lint will build at the ends (within a foot), and not so much in the middle of the vents. If you do find a large buildup in the middle, you can use a plumbing snake to pull it out. Try the flexible hose on your vacuum cleaner to reach inside, whether it is running or not.
  Slide the dryer vent clamp back over the vent, reattach the dryer vent, tighten the clamp, and slide dryer back into place.
• Remove the dryer vent on the outside of the house as well. This one may have caulking around the cover, as well as screws. Use a razor knife to cut away the caulk. It may have a sleeve about a foot long. If this is the case, slide it straight out.
• Reach in and clean out the lint or insert your vacuum cleaner tubing into the dryer exhaust tubing. You can reach as far as your arm will go or use the vacuum tubing.
• Look into the vent to see if you missed anything. If it's out of reach use a plumber's snake or other tool (vacuum cleaner tubing).
• Turn on gas and plug unit back in.
• Run dryer on air fluff for 10 minutes. Debris you just loosened may fly out, so don't stand right outside.
• Recheck the outside vent for obstructions and reattach the outside vent.

Be safe - Clean your vent or have a professional do it for you.

Labels: Clothes Dryer Parts, dryer vent cleaning