Appliance Repair in Ambler, Fort Washington & Flourtown

Ambler, in 19002, is a borough built around its train station and Butler Avenue, with older twins, rowhouses and single homes on the streets nearby. The same ZIP covers Maple Glen in Upper Dublin Township, where most homes are mid-century and later single-family houses. Fort Washington, in 19034, combines residential neighborhoods with a large office park and Fort Washington State Park. Flourtown (19031) and Oreland (19075) are in Springfield Township, close to the Chestnut Hill side of Philadelphia, with stone colonials, brick twins and post-war singles.

The Wissahickon Creek winds through this area, and homes in low spots near the creek and its tributaries know how quickly water can rise after a strong storm. Sump pumps and basement laundry are common, and so are questions about what to do when the two meet.

If water reaches a washer, dryer or freezer, switch off the circuit or unplug from a dry location before stepping in. Don't run the machines until they've been inspected. Water in a washer's motor or a dryer's controls can short components, and a gas dryer's burner assembly needs a careful check before it is used again.

After the basement dries out, the technician looks at wiring connections, the motor and pump, the control board and any rust on the cabinet. Some machines come through fine after drying and testing; others have damage that makes replacement the better choice, and we'll tell you which.

A chest freezer in a flood-prone basement is best kept on blocks, so the compressor and wiring at the bottom stay out of shallow water.

Ambler's older twins and rowhouses have narrow front entries and steep stairs, much like city rowhouses. Kitchens are usually at the back, and the path from the front door may run through a hallway barely wider than a refrigerator. If a refrigerator needs to come out for a repair or a replacement, measure first; the technician may need to remove doors or handles.

Range hookups in these houses are often gas, and older shutoff valves behind the range can be stiff or hard to reach. We'll tell you if the valve looks like it needs a plumber's attention. A gas odor means everyone out of the house first; then call PECO or your gas utility, or 911, once you're outside.

Springfield Township homes usually have basements, one- or two-car garages, and kitchens that have been updated at least once. A common call is a refrigerator in the garage that struggles in summer heat or winter cold, or a dishwasher in a remodeled kitchen that drains slowly because the drain hose was routed without a high loop.

A dishwasher that leaves water at the bottom should have its filter cleaned first. If water still sits, the technician checks the drain pump, the check valve and the garbage disposal connection, which sometimes has its knockout plug still in place after a new disposal is installed.