Difficulty Level
Time Required
2 hours once a yearTools Checklist
Why Should I Inspect my HVAC system?
If you want to keep your HVAC system running at its full potential, all it usually takes is a bit of annual maintenance to troubleshoot any problems. HVAC systems are often found in dark, dusty corners of the home, so preventing mold and dusty buildup is the main concern here. However, it’s also essential to keep an eye out for malfunctioning machinery or other issues while you inspect. This can help you to fix any issues before they lead to a full system (and astronomically expensive) breakdown.
What Happens If I Don’t Inspect my HVAC system?
Chances are, if you don’t inspect and maintain your HVAC system, you’ll eventually run into issues with inconsistent airflow in your home. This means some parts of your house will be overheated, some under heated, or vice versa with air conditioning. This system inefficiency can lead to unnecessarily high electric bills, and puts stress on the HVAC system overall, wearing it down way faster than necessary.
That’s the most likely scenario, but it can be more serious. HVAC systems are large electrical machines that play around with lots of water, dirty air particles, heat, and gas. This means there are constant opportunities for mold, leaks, rust, dust, and most importantly– gas leaks and fire. Keeping an eye on your system year-round is a good idea, but inspecting it annually is essential.
Panic level: 8
We also have helpful information on the real costs of home ownership as well as the top maintenance tasks for your home.
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Performing Annual Inspection of Your HVAC System:
Step-By-Step
- 1. Turn off the circuit breakers for the furnace and the air conditioning system. Leave them off until your inspection is complete.
First, before you do anything, it is important to make sure that your washing machine is off. Once you are sure that your washer is off, open the front-load door and make sure it is completely empty.
You can check the entire rubber gasket by turning it outward. By pressing down on the rubber gasket, you can remove any foreign objects you may find in the gasket. It is typical that items such as socks, hardened soap, or even leftover detergent may be found here. You may also find mold forming along the gasket. If this is the case, inspect it thoroughly to see if any areas may be stained or discolored.
If you find any area of the rubber gasket stained then proceed to the next steps on how to clean it properly.
Next Step
- 2. Combine cleaning solution.
Now that you have checked the rubber gasket, it is time to clean it. Since you will be working with bleach to clean the gasket, it is very important to put safety first!! Put on rubber gloves.
Once the gloves are on, carefully combine ¾ cups of liquid chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of warm water. Always check with the bleach bottle to make sure you are using it properly.
Next Step
- 3. Wipe area with dilute solution.
Now that the cleaning solution is ready, dip a washcloth in the solution and carefully wipe down the surface of the gasket. Then, pull the rubber gasket back and wipe down both the inside and the outside. Cleaning the whole area will help prevent and remove any mildew that has formed.
After the whole area has been fully wiped down, let the cleaning solution just sit on the gasket for 10 minutes.
Next Step
- 4. Let washing machine dry.
Use a clean washcloth to remove the cleaning solution from the gasket. Lastly, leave the washing machine door open to allow the inside to fully dry.
That’s it! Congratulations! You have successfully checked and cleaned the rubber gasket on your front-load washing machine.