Appliance Appointment Preparation
Before the start of your appointment, have all the necessary tools ready! If you ordered a replacement part, verify the correct part was sent.
Watch The Tools and Preparation Video Below
We highly recommend these tools for appliance repair.
Tools you will need:
- For all appliances: Multi-Meter ($10-20). A Clamp Meter can be used instead if on hand.
- For Refrigerators: Either Multi-Meter or preferably Clamp Meter ($15-25) (If you already have a multimeter, either works fine)
- A phillips head screwdriver #2 tip
- A socket set or nut drivers 1/4″ and 5/16″
- A flashlight
- Pliers
- Batteries for your meter
- A fully charged phone
- Our Visual Support app required to communicate with your technician (linked in your email)
*Meter advice – If you just purchased a meter and may plan to return it, leave it unopened until your tech directs you to use it.
A stable connection.
Ensure the internet connection you are using for your chat session has enough bandwidth. Others that are also using your internet service may interfere with the repair session if they are using online activities such as live gaming, live movie streaming, or downloading large files at the same time as your repair session.
Refrigerator & Freezer Appointment Preparation
Make sure the refrigerator/freezer is plugged in 24 hours before appointment!
For temperature issues, have a thermometer in the compartment that has the issue. (Fresh food section, freezer or both.)
For ice makers, use a thermometer to test the temperature in the ice maker housing.
Microwave Appointment Preparation
If your microwave is attached to the wall, please remove it and place it on a stable accessible surface.
Make sure you can plug in your microwave after you have removed it from the wall.
You may need security torx bits that fit your microwave screw heads. You can find torx bits at your local hardware store.
Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer Preparation
Before the start of your appointment:
Dishwasher – please remove all dishes.
Washing machine – if possible take out the clothes from the washer.
Stackable washer and dryer – please unstack the dryer from the washer if either one of these is the appliance that will be worked on.
Our Top Ten Tools For Appliance Repair
We recommend the tools listed below for your virtual appointment. Not all tools are required, but the ones listed under necessary tools are a must have! Having these tools makes your appointment with any technician go smoothly and as quickly as possible, giving you the confidence you need to repair your appliance! While some repairs demand specific tools, many just require basic tools you might already own. We’ve put together a list of the top 10 tools every do-it-yourselfer should have.
Screwdrivers
Make sure you at least have a flat-head and a Phillips screwdriver. Consider buying a screwdriver that has an interchangeable bit. They are inexpensive and prepares you for most jobs!
Adjustable open-end wrench
Just as its name suggests, the jaw on the wrench is adjustable to accommodate various sizes of nuts and bolts.
Multi (Voltage) Meter
A mulit meter safely checks for voltage and indicates the presence of electricity. You can buy one for under $10-20 at any Walmart or home improvement store. *Make sure you have batteries for your meter!
*Meter advice – If you just purchased a meter and may plan to return it, leave it unopened until your tech directs you to use it.
Clamp Meter
A clamp meter safely checks for current in an electrical system without disconnecting/deenergizing it. You can get one for $15-25 at any Walmart or home improvement store. *Make sure you have batteries for your meter!
*Meter advice – If you just purchased a meter and may plan to return it, leave it unopened until your tech directs you to use it.
Flash Light
You will want extra lighting when looking into certain parts of your appliance. We suggest an inexpensive LED flashlight with a magnet at one end. A magnetized flashlight is great to place anywhere on your appliance to help illuminate your workspace and allows you a free hand.
Work Gloves
Even the simplest repairs can expose you to sharp edges or hot surfaces, so wear work gloves to protect your hands.
Rags and towels
Rags and towels have many uses besides cleaning up any water spills and grease or dirt when working on an appliance. You can also use them to place small parts and screw on for visibility so you do not lose them.
Needle Nose Pliers
Needle-nose pliers are perfect for gripping small pieces; they also can bend or cut wires. Slip Joint Pliers can help you easily release hose clamps. Channel-lock pliers can help loosen water hose fittings on washers and dishwashers.
Masking tape and a pen or permanent marker
This is a “must have” when removing screws, disconnecting wires or hoses. The easiest way to correctly reassemble any item removed from your appliance is to label where it came from. We also recommend you take pictures with your phone each step of the way so you can see exactly how it looked before you removed any part from your appliance.
Safety goggles or glasses
Safety eye-wear is a necessity for protecting your eyes from particles or chemicals during repairs.
Thread-sealing tape
Use this thin, white tape on some threaded pipe fittings in appliances to prevent leaks.
Don't get electrocuted.
- Know the location of your home or apartment circuit breaker.
- Make sure you are able to unplug the appliance during the repair for safety.
- Keep small children and pets in a safe location away from the repair session.
Keep track of your steps and pieces!
Place small removed parts in plastic sandwich bags. Insert a labeled sticky note into the bags indicating where the parts came from.
A large (light-colored) towel may be helpful to place removed parts making them easier to see and identifying your work area.
Taking a picture of each step of the repair may assist you when putting back appliance parts.
Want more help preparing to repair an appliance?
Book an appointment with our Neli technicians and they will walk you through the diagnosis and prep you for the project using video screen sharing, texting and phone conversations!