Start 2019 Off Right with These Great Cleveland-Area Events

Alex HCleveland

Whether you are new to the area or you have lived in Cleveland for years, as the weather gets colder, you are likely looking for some fun things to do, especially if you have young children who get a little restless being inside for most of the day. While there are so many great things to do in and around Cleveland here are just five activities that you are sure to enjoy in early 2019.

Twilight Indoor Triathlon 2019

January 5, 2019- 8 pm

Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium- Cuyahoga Falls

If you’re feeling a bit antsy to get active, you may want to sign-up for this. The first wave will start at 8 pm with additional waves following. It includes both triathlon and biathlon options. The triathlon will consist of a swim, bike, and run while the biathlon will only contain the bike and run. The swimming part of the competition takes place in the swimming pool as well as the lap pool. For the bicycling part, you can use one of the facility’s Cycleops bikes. The running portion takes place on the upstairs track.There are many bonuses to this event over a traditional triathlon or biathlon. For example, instead of having specific distances for each event, it consists of 20 minutes of each discipline. This means that if you tend to be a little slower at one of the events, you don’t have to worry about being way behind the rest of the competition. Since you don’t have to go a specific distance in a set amount of time, you also don’t have to worry about keeping a certain pace to remain in the race. You can simply enjoy the experience at your own pace. Along with that, since it’s inside, you don’t have to worry about bundling up for your run or bike ride. If running, biking, and swimming is not your style, you can still participate in the event by volunteering as a counter.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience

December 15, 2018- January 6, 2019 (times vary)

Market Square at Crocker Park- Westlake

It would take nearly 20 hours to watch all eight of the Harry Potter movies, and it would take far longer than that to read all seven books. Luckily, the seven books have been condensed down to a 70-minute performance in Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience.  This two-man show includes 360 Harry Potter characters, a fire-breathing dragon, and even a Quidditch match. If you’re a fan of the books or movies, it’s a must-see, and if you’re not yet a fan, you might be one after seeing this hilarious performance. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience is appropriate for Harry Potter fans, and future fans of all ages.

Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party

Friday, January 11 and 18, 2019- 7 pm

Saturday, January 12 and 19, 2019- 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm

Sunday, January 13, 2019- 1 pm and 5 pm

Thursday, January 17, 2019- 7 pm

Sunday, January 20, 2019- 11 am, 3 pm, and 7 pm

Quicken Loans Arena- Cleveland

Children and adults alike have fallen in love with Disney movies and the overall Disney culture, and this the perfect opportunity to see some of your children’s (or your own) favorite Disney characters. Disney On Ice: Mickey’s Search Party will be in Cleveland from January 11-20, 2019. With fourteen opportunities to see the show, some in the evening and others midday, you are sure to find the perfect one to fit your family’s schedule. The show is ideal for families with small children. Mickey Mouse and his friends follow a treasure map to try and find Tinker Bell. Along the way, they enjoy a great adventure. Many other Disney characters, including Belle, Moana, and Elsa, also join this ice skating adventure. Tickets range from $15-90 depending on your seat location as well as the specific show you have chosen.For an added adventure, Storytime with Belle can be added to your Mickey’s Search Partyadventure for an additional cost. Storytime with Belle takes place an hour before the show and provides photo opportunities, complimentary snacks and beverages, the opportunity to meet Belle and Mickey, and one printed photo in an autographed frame. Along with that, Belle retells the story of Beauty and the Beast. This is a fun opportunity to get out of the house and allow your young children to meet some of their favorite Disney characters.

Cinderella

January 15-18, 2019-7:30 pm daily

January 19, 2019- 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm

January 20, 2019- 1 pm and 6:30 pm

Conner Palace Playhouse Square- Cleveland

If you are looking for a fun musical that the whole family can enjoy, Cinderella is an excellent choice. With music by Rogers and Hammerstein, this will be a fun musical experience for the whole family. You can watch some of your favorite scenes from this beloved story. You can enjoy the pumpkin’s transformation into a beautiful carriage, Cinderella’s ballroom experience, and the moment that she loses her slipper. Because tickets start at $10, it can be a fun night out with the whole family or a wonderful way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with family and friends.

Harlem Globetrotters

January 31, 2019- 7 pm

Canton Civic Center- Canton

If you’ve never seen a Harlem Globetrotter’s game, you are in for a real treat. The Harlem Globetrotters are known for their fun mix of athletic skills, comedy, and crowd-pleasing tricks. This may include doing backflips, balancing the basketball on their heads, or otherwise making the crowd laugh. This a great experience for people of all ages. Whether you want to make it a date night, you want to go with a few friends, or you plan to take your whole family, including the kids, you are sure to have a great time watching the Harlem Globetrotters perform. You may even be able to get a few autographs and get a picture with your favorite player. Yes, Canton is a little outside of the Cleveland area, but it’s worth the drive for some great entertainment.At Fred’s Appliance Service, we are dedicated to helping you keep your appliances in good repair. If you’ve got an appliance that’s not working properly, contact us. We are dedicated to providing fast service, so you can get back to enjoying the great activities our area has to offer.

7 Fun Things to Do During The Winter Season in Cleveland, Ohio

Alex HCleveland

During the colder months, one of the best ways to combat the winter blues is by having a lively social calendar. If you are a resident of Cleveland, Ohio who is looking for some fun activities around the community whether it be with friends, family, a romantic partner, or even by yourself, you have come to the right place. In this post, we will go over just a few of the great things Cleveland has to offer and that you can take advantage of this winter. 

  1. Jazz it Up at The Local Clubs And Speakeasies: During the dead of winter when the weather is blustery and the stop won’t stop falling, all anyone wants to do is cozy up with a romantic partner, family member, or group of friends for something festive and warm. And what better way to do that than by visiting Cleveland’s hottest jazz scenes? Instead of trying to brave the weather for some kind of outdoor winter activity, plan a night to visit a jazz club (or several) around Cleveland. If you want to be transported to the roaring 20’s, you will want to check out the Velvet Tango Room for some live jazz and tasty cocktails. Another favorite is the suitably titled Speakeasy that serves up some classic prohibition era cocktails and riveting jazz tunes. And if you need a third venue for your evening of “jazz crawling”, you can finish the night up at the popular Society Lounge. 
  2. Take The Family Ice Skating at The Rink in Public Square: Pencil in an ice skating trip for one Saturday afternoon on your calendar and rally the whole family together for this classic winter activity. Not only will you get in a good work out and have loads of laughs with your family, you can enjoy the stunning scenery and atmosphere of the historic Public Square. For just $10 (which includes your skate rental), you have access to the rink all day and if you are bringing your own skates, it’s only $7 per person. Keep in mind, you will want to plan your trip before end of February when the rink officially closes.
  3. Spend The Holidays at The A Christmas Story House: Whether you are a permanent resident of Cleveland who is looking for something novel to do or you are visiting the city, a trip to the iconic house from the even more iconic holiday flick A Christmas Story is an absolute must. Although the house is open all year long for tours, it is even more fun to visit it during the holiday season. It’s a completely interactive experience that allows you to explore the rooms of the house and get to know the history of this 100 year old Cleveland structure. 
  4. Get Your Pierogi Fix Throughout The Neighborhood of Tremont: What better to conquer the brutal cold of winter than by indulging in some savory comfort food. And in Cleveland, one of the best, go-to comfort foods is the pierogi. If you want the best pierogis in town, you have to head to the neighborhood Tremont. If you are on the prowl for pierogis during the day, you need to head to Seven Roses Deli for some truly authentic Polish cuisine. If you are out and about in Cleveland during the evening, find some mouth-watering pierogis at Prosperity Social Club. And if you want to turn the evening into a proper pierogi crawl, make a second pierogi stop at the famous Sokolowski’s University Inn for some equally delicious pierogis.  
  5. Catch a Theater Performance During The Holiday Season: Sure, the theater is a place that you could frequent any time of the year, but it is even more magical during the holiday season. Whether you are just looking for a way to overcome a particularly dreary day or you are looking for something to add to your holiday festivities bucket list, a good, old-fashioned night (or day) at the theater is an experience everyone should have. Venture on over to Playhouse Square to immerse yourself in the theater season of Cleveland. You will find performances occurring all year long at the various theaters, but you will definitely want to check their winter schedule to see what special holiday performances the theaters have going on. If you are looking for performances that aren’t geared specifically for families and may be more suitable for a date night or lively evening with a group of friends, check out both the Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights as well as the Cleveland Public Theatre in Gordon Square. 
  6. Warm Up At The West Side Market: The best strategy for beating the cold during the long winter months is to stay indoors. But if you are going to be spending most of the winter season indoors, all of that time inside should be well worth it. At the West Side Market, it certainly is. Take an afternoon off to browse through the many aisles of spices, cheeses, and meats and bask in the inviting and aromatic atmosphere of the West Side Market. You will find an awe-inspiring array of exotic meats from various countries around the world as well as plenty of delectable cheeses for your next dinner party. 
  7. Feast On Savory Pastas in Little Italy: Little Italy goes strong all year round in Cleveland, but it is particularly inviting during the blustery, cold winter months. Instead of making dinner, why not plan a trip to Little Italy for some out-of-this-world Italian food and novel, cultural experiences. This Cleveland neighborhood is jam-packed with pizzerias, cafes, and bakeries. After a filling dinner comprised of authentic Italian pasta and pizza, you can head to the bakery for some word-class cannolis and a comforting cup of cappuccino. And don’t forget to splurge on a glass (or bottle) of Italian wine!

Are you looking for other fun things you can do during the winter season? Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn all about what is going on in your own backyard! We look forward to hearing from you!

How to Repair a GE Washer That Won’t Stop Leaking

Alex HWasher Repair

If your GE washer model WCSR2080BCC  recently sprung a leak and you’re scrambling to figure out where the water is coming from, don’t worry, we can help. While some malfunctions are more concerning than others, most of them can be easily fixed with a little guidance. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common maintenance mistakes and component failures which often lead to a leaky washer.

Maintenance Tips

  • Excessive vibrations brought on by an unbalanced washer can cause water to spill out of your appliance as the machine agitates your clothing. To determine whether or not your washer is balanced, place a leveler on the main top. If the appliance turns out to be unbalanced, simply correct the problem by adjusting its legs. Unfortunately, if you choose to ignore the issue, and your washer continues to vibrate uncontrollably, you risk damaging other components in your appliance.
  • Leaks located at the back of your washer can indicate a loose hose connection. Before inspecting the hoses, turn off your appliance’s water supply, and pull your machine away from the wall. Start investigating the leak by examining the drain hose, which runs from the drain port on your washer to the standpipe or laundry tub. If either side of the hose feels loose, correct the issue, or if they are both intact, move on to the inlet hoses. Your machine’s hot and cold inlet hoses run from the inlet valve on your washer to the hot and cold faucets on your laundry room wall. If you find one or more of the connections are loose, tighten them to stop the leak.
  • Your washer is designed to handle a certain amount of detergent. When you continuously surpass that amount, the soap residue leftover will end up clogging the overflow tube in your appliance, meaning that puddle on your floor is due to you exceeding your washer’s soap limit. Sticking to the detergent recommendations in your owner’s panel will resolve any type of soap overuse.

Appliance Repair Tips

Unplug your appliance and turn off its water supply before starting your repair. Safety goggles and gloves are needed to protect your hands and eyes from sharp objects as you remove and replace damaged components in your washer.

The Tub-to-Pump Hose

When your washer tub drains, the water travels through the tub-to-pump hose. As your appliance ages, the hose can crack, causing water to leak out. Replacing the damaged tub-to-pump hose is not complicated and should only take you a little over an hour.

How to Replace the Tub-to-Pump Hose in Your GE Washer

  1. To gain access to the tub-to-pump hose you’ll need to remove your washer’s front panel. At the left and right corners of your washer, insert a putty knife in between the main top and the front panel. Slide the putty knife toward the center of the appliance. When the knife makes contact with a locking tab, push down to release the mechanism. Once both tabs are disengaged, tip the front panel back, and take it off your washer.
  2. You’ll find the tub-to-pump hose in the washer’s lower right corner. Before disconnecting the hose, grab a towel and place it in the area underneath the component. Use a pair of pliers to loosen and slide the lower clamp up the hose. Then, pull the bottom half of the hose off the drain pump. A small amount of water is likely to come out of the hose, but don’t worry that’s what the towel is there for. Next, with your nut driver unthread the screw securing the upper hose clamp. Once the clamp is loose, disconnect the top end of the hose from the outer tub. Now you can remove the damaged tub-to-pump hose from your washing machine.
  3. Before you throw the old hose away, you’ll need to take the top and bottom clamps off the part so you can attach them to your new drain hose.
  4. Slide the old clamps onto your new tub-to-pump hose. With both clamps attached, head to your washer and install the top end of the hose to the outer tub. Secure the connection by tightening the clamp screw with your nut driver. Then, attach the lower end of the hose to the pump. Using your pliers, slide the clamp down the hose to secure the link between the drain pump and the hose.
  5. To finish off your repair, reinstall your washer’s front panel. After your appliance is back together, plug it in and turn on its water supply. Try the new tub-to-pump hose out by washing a load of laundry. If your washer doesn’t leak, the new component resolved the issue.

The Drain Pump

If your washer is leaking during the wash cycle or the drain cycle, there is a good chance your appliance has a faulty drain pump. Simply put, the drain pump pulls water from the washer tub and pushes it out of your appliance through the outlet hose. If the pump is cracked water will leak out of it and end up on your laundry room floor.

How to Replace the Drain Pump in Your GE Washer

  1. Start your repair by taking off your washer’s front panel. In between your appliance’s main top and front panel, there are two locking tabs, one is near the right corner and the other is near the left corner. To disengage the tabs slide a putty knife between the panels and press down. After both tabs are released, lift the front panel up and off your washer.
  2. Locate the drain pump and place a towel underneath it to catch any water that may come out during the repair. Next, disconnect the wire harnesses running to the drain pump. Then, use a pair of pliers to loosen the clamps securing the outlet and inlet drain hoses to the pump, and pull the hoses off the drain pump valves. With a socket wrench, unthread the screws holding the pump’s mounting plate to the bottom of the washer. Once you’ve removed the screws, pull the damaged drain pump out of your appliance.
  3. To install the new drain pump, attach its mounting plate to the bottom of your washer. After the drain pump is in place, reconnect the wire harnesses and the outlet and inlet drain hoses. Make sure the hoses are attached properly and the clamps are securely linking the hoses to the pump valves.
  4. With the new drain hose successfully connected, you can now reinstall the washer’s front panel. Once the panel is reattached, plug your appliance back in and turn on its water supply. To ensure the repair worked, test out your machine by running a wash cycle.
If the tips and repairs listed above don’t fix your washer’s leak, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our appliance repair technicians.

How to Fix a Leaky GE Refrigerator

troubleshootingRefrigerator Repair

Finding a puddle inside your GE refrigerator model GSS25GFXWW or on the ground near your appliance is definitely a panic-inducing sight. However, before you give up on your current fridge, it’s important to know most leaks are not caused by a major component failure. If you’re dealing with a leaky refrigerator, keep reading to learn some of the most common causes and how you can fix them yourself.

Refrigerator Repair Tips

To avoid electrocution, unplug your refrigerator and turn off the water supply valve before you start repairing your appliance. Wearing work gloves and safety goggles to protect your hands and eyes is also a necessity.

The Door Gasket

Your refrigerator’s door gasket creates a seal that keeps cold air in and warm air out of your appliance. When the gasket is dirty or the rubber is damaged, the outside air seeping into your refrigerator can lead to excessive moisture inside the freezer and fresh food compartments. The added moisture will eventually drip into your appliance’s drain pan, which will cause the pan to overflow and the water to end up in a puddle on your kitchen floor.

How to Replace the Door Gasket in Your GE Refrigerator

  1. Depending on which door gasket is damaged, open either your fresh food compartment door or your freezer door. Shimmy a flat head screwdriver underneath the gasket and pry the rubber seal off the door. Once a small section of the gasket is lifted up, use your hands to pull the rest of the seal off the freezer or fresh food compartment door.
  2. Before securing the new gasket, use warm soapy water and a rag to clean the refrigerator door. If you skip this step the newly installed rubber seal may not conform to the door properly.
  3. Start the installation process at the top of the refrigerator door. First insert the right and left corners, doing so makes installing the rubber seal much easier. Once both corners are secure, use your hands to push the sides of the gasket into the grooves along the refrigerator door.
  4. After the gasket is properly installed, close the appliance door, and inspect the seal it creates. If it looks good, open the door and add petroleum jelly to the gasket. Leave the jelly on for a few days before wiping it off. The petroleum jelly will help the gasket form an adequate seal.

The Ice Maker Assembly

A puddle of water on your freezer floor may indicate your ice maker is leaking. However, before you replace your old ice maker with a new one, inspect the water line fittings and defrost drain to ensure neither are the cause of the leak. If you’re sure your ice maker is the problem, you’ll need to replace it.

How to Replace the Ice Maker in Your GE Refrigerator

  1. Open your freezer door, and remove the ice bucket. If your freezer has a small shelf on top of the ice bucket, you’ll need to take it out before you can access the ice maker assembly.
  2. Once the shelf and the ice bucket are out of the way, unthread the screws holding the auger motor assembly to the back wall of your freezer. Remove the motor from the wall and disconnect the wire harness from the freezer.
  3. Now detach the ice maker wire harness from the freezer’s back wall. Once the wire is disconnected, loosen the screws securing the ice maker assembly to the freezer. Then, lift the ice maker up and off the mounting screws and remove it from the compartment.
  4. Before installing your new ice maker, take the fill cup off your old ice maker and place it on the new one. Next, line up the ice maker assembly with the mounting screws on the back wall of your freezer, and then secure the ice maker by tightening the screws. Finally, reconnect the ice maker wire harness.
  5. Plug the auger motor wire harness back into the freezer, and place the motor assembly on the mounting brackets. Secure the auger motor with the screws you took out earlier.
  6. Reinsert the ice bucket and the shelf, and shut the door. With your new ice maker installed there should no longer be a leak in your freezer.

The Water Inlet Valve

The water inlet valve in your refrigerator is usually found behind your appliance’s bottom, rear panel. Its main job is to control the water flow to the refrigerator’s ice and water dispenser. If the water valve is damaged in any way, you’ll end up with a puddle of water either behind your fridge or underneath it. Replacing the water inlet valve is the only way to fix the issue.

How to Replace the Water Inlet Valve in Your GE Refrigerator

  1. To reach the water inlet valve, you’ll need to remove your refrigerator’s bottom, rear panel. Once you’ve taken out the screws securing the panel to the appliance, simply lift it off the fridge and place it in a safe area.
  2. Using a wrench detach the water inlet line from the water inlet valve. When you pull the line off the valve, some water may drip out. If it does, wipe it up with a paper towel or rag.
  3. Unthread the mounting screw that holds the damaged water inlet valve to the refrigerator. Then, with your wrench, release the ice dispenser and water dispenser inlet tubes from the inlet valve. Clean up any water that comes out of the inlet tubes. Next, disconnect the solenoid wire harnesses from the back of the inlet valve. Now you can remove the faulty water inlet valve from the back of your refrigerator.
  4. To install the new water inlet valve, start by inserting the ice and water dispenser inlet tubes into the valve. Make sure the connection is secure; otherwise, you may end up with another leak. Once the tubes are in place, reconnect the solenoid wire harnesses, and then use the mounting screw you removed earlier to attach the new water inlet valve to your refrigerator.
  5. Finish up your repair by reinstalling the water inlet line and reattaching the bottom, rear panel. Once you’re done, keep a close eye on your refrigerator for the next couple of days to ensure the leak at the back of your appliance is fully resolved.
If you’re unable to locate the source of your refrigerator’s leak, please contact us today, and we’ll send one of our highly trained appliance repair technicians to your home to diagnose and fix the malfunction.