Appliance Repairs You Can DIY

Experts tell us which appliance repairs to do on your own—and which ones to leave to the pros

Some appliance repairs, like replacing the gaskets on fridge doors and dishwashers, may be simple enough to do on your own.

By Consumer Reports

When you’re faced with a leaky dishwasher or a broken cooktop control knob, finding and coordinating with a repair technician can feel time-consuming, and you might wonder if hiring a professional is even necessary.

We asked experts about which fixes are easy enough for most folks to do themselves, and we found that this do-it-yourself approach works well for replacing fridge and dishwasher gaskets, as well as unclogging range ignition ports. Repairs that involve tinkering with electronic connections, however, may best be left to the pros.

Appliance Fixes You Can DIY

Unclogging range ignition ports: Boil-overs can leave burners on a gas range with clogged ignition ports, resulting in a burner that doesn’t light properly—or a weak or uneven flame. Remove the burner heads, then clean the ports with a toothbrush.

Cleaning your dryer’s moisture sensor: Does your laundry still feel damp after the sensor-timed cycle wraps? Clean the clothes dryer’s internal moisture sensor, often located near the lint trap, with a soft cloth and a mixture of mild soap and water. Dry with a clean towel. (Check the lint trap and vent duct, too, to make sure there’s no lint buildup.)

Replacing a fridge door gasket: If your refrigerator door lets out a draft or even pops open on its own, it may be time for a new gasket. (This is the flexible strip of rubber or other material that runs around the perimeter of the door and helps form a tight seal.) First, check to make sure yours isn’t just dirty: Spills and food bits can build up and prevent the gasket from forming a good seal. If, on inspection, you notice cracks or damage, you’ll need to replace the gasket. Remove the old one and install a model-specific replacement. Consult your owner’s manual for details.

Replacing a dishwasher gasket: If you see water collecting on the floor in front of your dishwasher, check the door seal for any rips or other damage. To repair that damage, get a model-specific replacement gasket and install it around the cavity’s edge.

Repairs You Should (Probably) Never Try

Fixing a leak on your fridge’s sealed refrigerant system: It’s best to avoid contact with the potentially toxic gases in the circulating refrigerant. Making solid connections to fix the leak involves brazing, which is similar to welding.

Replacing the bearings on a front-load washer: They’re usually at the back of the drum, so you have to disassemble the outer cabinet and drum to reach them. The process requires keeping track of all the electrical connections as you go so that you can reassemble them later.

Tinkering with microwave electronics: A microwave capacitor can hold a high-voltage charge well after it’s unplugged. If you don’t correctly discharge the capacitor before you touch any metal parts or wires, you risk shock or even electrocution.

Working on an appliance under warranty: Do-it-yourself repairs might void the warranty, so read the fine print before you begin.

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