Complaint: The fridge isn't as cold as it used to be.
First, check for the obvious: Did the temperature adjustment controls get accidentally knocked and set too high?
Next, clean the gasket — if it's not sealing properly, cool air may be escaping. Use warm soapy water and rinse and dry well. You should also check the seal in several spots by placing a dollar bill in and shutting the door on it, says Mary Kay Liston, Vice President of Operations at Mr. Appliance, a nationwide repair service. "Do this check in three or four spots," she says. "If the bill slips out easily, use a hair dryer to warm and reform the gasket." If you notice the whole door is off kilter, the fridge may need leveling. Turn the feet under the front of the machine to get it to sit more evenly.
Finally, clean the coils. They're generally located below or behind the machine, and, when the coils are glutted with dust or pet hair, the fridge can't cool as well. Unplug the fridge, pop off the grate (if coils are below) and use your vacuum cleaner hose with crevice attachment or a long-handle coil brush (available at hardware stores). "This easy-to-do task should be done several times a year and even more often if you have dogs or cats that shed," says Sharon Franke, Good Housekeeping Research Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Technology Director. "You may even see a drop in your electric bill as your unit will operate more efficiently."
Complaint: The icemaker is inconsistent.
First off, it may not be the maker but your expectations, says Liston. "If you're having a party, and go through all the ice, remember it takes about 90 minutes to freeze a new batch." If that's not the problem, you may have to change the water filter, which is usually located inside the refrigerator compartment. Check your manual for the how-to.

CALL-A-PRO REPAIRS:

If your DIY fixes for the too-warm problem didn't work, and especially if the fridge is running over 40 degrees F, it's time to get a technician to check it out.
If it's not the filter in a faulty icemaker, you may have improper water flow, which also needs the expertise of a professional.
And finally, if the fridge is running constantly, or the problem seems to be mechanical or electrical, you'll need an expert to assess why.

TIME TO REPLACE:

Franke also recommends replacing refrigerators if they pre-date the 1997 advent of Energy Star — machines sold before then are a huge energy drain. "You may be paying $150 a year to run an old unit; a new one could cut that bill to $50." The typical life expectancy of a refrigerator is 10 to 18 years.
Electric or Gas Range

DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES:

Complaint: The oven is running too hot or too "cold."
If the temp seems off, Franke says you may be able to recalibrate the thermostat yourself. Check the manual for info on how to do it.

CALL-A-PRO REPAIRS:

With most range complaints, you'll need a repairperson to take care of them. There are too many sensitive components that require the knowledgeable touch of a trained professional.

TIME TO REPLACE:

Again, if the cost of the repair is going to exceed more than half the cost of a new one, the fix is probably not worth the investment. The typical life expectancy of a gas range is 15 to 23 years and of an electric range is 13 to 20 years.
Dishwasher

DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES:

Complaint: Water spots or food residue left on the dishes.
If you're noticing water spots all of a sudden, you may be out of rinse aid. This product, which goes in the other dispenser, alters the surface tension of the water, so it sheets off and plates dry better, says Carolyn Forte, Good Housekeeping Research Institute Cleaning Products Director. She also recommends adding a bit more detergent (especially if you know you have hard water), and and using a drying cycle rather than letting the dishes air-dry, both of which help reduce spotting. However, you should also check if the detergent you're using also include a rinse aid, says Liston. Too much of this product could lead to etching of glass.
Still-grimy plates could indicate a couple of issues. One, the filter (common in European models) that catches food debris may need replaced. The manual can tell you if your machine has one, and how to take care of it. It could also be that if you're using a gel detergent, and it's gumming up the filter — best to switch to another formulation, suggests Liston. Another issue could be that you're loading dishes that are too clean, Liston says. Some of the newer machines have sensors that determine the soil of each load — if you pre-rinse dishes, the machine might not run a full cycle!
Other simple fixes, courtesy of Forte: Add more detergent to the prewash and select a longer, more aggressive or heavy-duty cycle depending on what's in the load. Make sure the water is hot enough — at least 120 degrees going into the dishwasher — to get the best cleaning results. It helps to run the hot water at the sink faucet near the dishwasher before starting it to purge the line of any cold water.

CALL-A-PRO REPAIRS:

Common problems that require a service call: The dishwasher isn't heating, the spray arms aren't spinning, the machine's not draining properly, or the electronics aren't working.

TIME TO REPLACE:

"A dishwasher usually just dies or stops working on certain cycles," says Forte. The typical life expectancy of a dishwasher is nine to 16 years.
Washer

DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES:

Complaint: A musty smell in a front-loading washer.
One surprising reason for that stink is too much detergent, explains Liston. Be sure to use the high-efficiency kind and never more than two tablespoons of it, she says, and limit or eliminate your use of fabric softener, which tends to "stick" in the washing machine and contribute to the problem. (She suggests you use dryer sheets instead.)
Another culprit is residual moisture that gets trapped in the machine. Dry the gasket and door and sop up any excess water in the bottom of the tub after your washing session is done, and leave the door ajar if you can, so air can circulate.
To eliminate the odor, buy a special cleaner such as Affresh, which is designed to flush out residue, or run a cycle with just water and bleach — many new washers have a self-cleaning cycle just for this task.

CALL-A-PRO REPAIRS:

The most common appliance repair calls are for washers, says Liston. Between computerized control panels and mechanized parts, these complex machines need the know-how of a pro. If you do get an error code on the control panel, it may help to Google it first so you have an idea of what's wrong.

TIME TO REPLACE:

Major breakdowns like faulty transmissions or a leak may indicate that a machine is beyond help, but it all depends on the extent and cost of the repair and the machine's warranty, says Forte (and many major parts have extended warranties from the manufacturer). The typical life expectancy of a washing machine is eight to 16 years.
Dryer

DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES:

Complaint: Your clothes take longer to dry than you think they should.
It could be a lint problem. Unplug the machine, and clean out the vent and the back of the dryer. You can buy a special brush snake or use your vacuum cleaner hose to pull or suck out the lint debris. And, of course, clear the filter after every use.

CALL-A-PRO REPAIRS:

Liston recommends getting a professional to come out to do a full cleaning every year. Not only will it make drying more efficient, but this annual maintenance will reduce your risk of a dangerous dryer fire.
If something else is acting up — you're hearing thumping or clanging that might indicate a mechanical error, or the heat isn't working, or the control panel goes out — you should also call in an expert.
The typical life expectancy of a clothes dryer is 11 to 18 years.