Troubleshooting reference
Start with symptoms, rule out homeowner-safe basics, and escalate conservatively when safety, structure, utility service, or water damage is involved.
Call soon
Refrigerator is warm or freezer temperature rises
Likely causes
- Dirty condenser coil
- Failed evaporator fan
- Sealed-system leak or compressor fault
Homeowner-safe check
Clean coils, confirm door gaskets seal, and move food to a safe cooler if temperatures exceed safe limits.
When to call
Call same day if the compressor is clicking, temperatures rise, or the unit is under sealed-system warranty.
Call soon
Washer will not drain or leaves clothes soaked
Likely causes
- Clogged pump filter
- Failed drain pump
- Kinked or blocked drain hose
Homeowner-safe check
Unplug the machine before checking an accessible pump filter and expect water spill.
When to call
Call if the pump hums, error returns, or water is trapped inside a stacked unit.
Call soon
Dryer runs but does not heat or takes multiple cycles
Likely causes
- Blocked vent
- Failed heating element or gas igniter
- Thermal fuse from overheating
Homeowner-safe check
Clean lint screen and exterior vent; stop use if the cabinet is hot or you smell gas.
When to call
Call soon for electric heat faults, gas dryers, or vent runs hidden in walls.
Call soon
Dishwasher leaks onto floor or under cabinet
Likely causes
- Door gasket failure
- Loose inlet/drain hose
- Overfill valve or float problem
Homeowner-safe check
Stop the cycle, shut off the water supply if accessible, and dry the cabinet base.
When to call
Call if leakage repeats, flooring swells, or wiring under the unit is wet.
Call soon
Oven temperature is far off or burners misfire
Likely causes
- Failed temperature sensor
- Weak igniter
- Control board or gas valve fault
Homeowner-safe check
Use an oven thermometer for screening; do not adjust gas valves or bypass igniters.
When to call
Call if gas ignition is delayed, you smell gas, or calibration does not hold.
Routine
Ice maker stops, leaks, or makes hollow cubes
Likely causes
- Frozen fill tube
- Low water pressure
- Failed inlet valve or ice maker module
Homeowner-safe check
Replace the water filter and inspect the shutoff valve for full open position.
When to call
Call routinely if the valve leaks, the line is copper/plastic brittle, or parts are discontinued.
Call soon
Appliance trips GFCI or breaker
Likely causes
- Ground fault inside appliance
- Wet wiring harness
- Overloaded shared circuit
Homeowner-safe check
Unplug it and do not keep resetting; water plus appliance wiring is a shock/fire risk.
When to call
Call an appliance tech and electrician if the circuit itself may be damaged.
Routine
Washer shakes violently or walks
Likely causes
- Unbalanced load
- Failed shock absorbers or suspension rods
- Machine not level or shipping bolts left in
Homeowner-safe check
Pause, rebalance load, and verify all feet contact the floor.
When to call
Call routinely if vibration persists empty or parts hit the cabinet.
Call soon
Microwave sparks, arcs, or smells burned
Likely causes
- Damaged waveguide cover
- Metal contamination
- Failing magnetron or high-voltage component
Homeowner-safe check
Stop using it; microwave capacitors can hold dangerous charge after unplugging.
When to call
Call only if it is a built-in or high-value unit; countertop units are often replace-not-repair.
Routine
Error code appears after reset
Likely causes
- Sensor fault
- Control board fault
- Mechanical fault detected by diagnostics
Homeowner-safe check
Photograph the code and model tag before unplugging; repeated hard resets can erase useful history.
When to call
Call with model/serial ready so the tech can pre-check parts availability.
Maintenance schedule
Seasonal tasks
Spring
- In spring, vacuum refrigerator condenser coils if accessible and confirm the toe-kick grille is not blocked by pet hair.
Summer
- During summer laundry loads, clean dryer lint paths you can reach and watch washer hoses for bulges or sweating.
Fall
- Before holiday cooking, run oven preheat, dishwasher fill/drain, ice-maker fill, and range burners so failures appear before guests arrive.
Winter
- In winter, keep appliance vents clear of snow and avoid pushing refrigerators or freezers tight against cold garage walls.
Interval tasks
Monthly
- Monthly, clean dishwasher filters, wipe door gaskets, and note recurring error codes with the exact cycle and load size.
Annual
- Yearly, pull model and serial photos for major appliances and review whether extended warranty or recall coverage still applies.
Every few years
- Every few years, replace suspect washer hoses, inspect dryer transition ducting, and budget for appliances with repeated control-board failures.
Cost components
Labor
The labor number starts with mostly diagnostic time, disassembly/reassembly, stacked or built-in access, brand complexity, and return visits when parts must be ordered; uncertainty mainly comes from diagnostic access, built-in removal, brand complexity, sealed-system handling, and whether the unit must be moved.
Materials
OEM boards, pumps, igniters, valves, gaskets, motors, fans, sensors, hoses, and appliance-specific kits deserve their own line; belts, pumps, valves, igniters, elements, boards, sensors, gaskets, fans, compressors, refrigerant parts, and installation kits belong in the standard allowance.
Permits and inspections
The compliance line is crossed fastest by gas appliance connections, built-in electrical changes, and warranty-authorized work. Put filing and correction time in writing.
Broad range discipline
The line between a service repair, a major sealed-system job, and replacement of an aging appliance explain why bids spread. Diagnostics and simple parts are lower-ticket; control boards and sealed-system refrigerator repairs are mid-to-high; replacement often wins when repair approaches half of new installed cost.
What moves price
Pushes price up
- Built-in or stacked access; added cost is usually tied to diagnostic access
- Premium/discontinued brand parts; added cost is usually tied to built-in removal
- Sealed-system refrigerant work; added cost is usually tied to brand complexity
- Repeat trip for special-order parts; added cost is usually tied to sealed-system handling
Can reduce price
- Model/serial and error code provided; lower pricing is likelier when OEM boards is clearly defined
- Accessible shutoffs and clear workspace; lower pricing is likelier when pumps is clearly defined
- Common in-stock parts; lower pricing is likelier when igniters is clearly defined
- Diagnostic credited to repair; lower pricing is likelier when valves is clearly defined
Hiring red flags
- sealed-system diagnosis quoted without temperature or amp readings is missing from the first written price, not merely from fine print.
- The crew cannot describe how model and serial numbers before ordering parts will be confirmed on site.
- The proposed shortcut drops dryer vent restrictions before replacing heating parts and leaves no inspection trail.
- The promised warranty never says how return labor on installed parts and diagnostic credit rules is handled.
- No diagnostic fee policy or no credit terms disclosed.
- Wants cash for parts without model/part number on invoice.
- Attempts sealed-system refrigerant work without EPA credentials.
- Recommends repair on very old low-value appliance without replacement comparison.
Contract checklist
- Appliance brand, model, serial, symptom history, error codes, and installation style with brands, sizes, locations, and exclusions.
- Diagnostic fee, trip charge, labor rate, part markup, and whether diagnosis credits toward repair before work starts, including who schedules inspections.
- OEM, rebuilt, or aftermarket part choice with availability and backorder handling for access, protection, cleanup, and disposal.
- Responsibilities for moving stacked, built-in, gas, or water-connected appliances as unit pricing or written allowances.
- Part warranty, labor warranty, return visit timing, and disposal of failed components; require final photos, manuals, product registrations, and waiver timing.
- Appliance model/serial, symptoms, error codes, and diagnostic fee credit policy.
- Part numbers, new vs rebuilt parts, expected arrival, and return-trip charges.
- Labor/parts warranty length and what voids it.
- Water/gas/electrical/venting connections included or excluded.
- Decision point for repair vs replacement before expensive parts are ordered.
Warranty norms
Appliance shops commonly warranty installed parts and labor for a limited window, often shorter on used or customer-supplied parts. Sealed-system, compressor, electronic board, and cosmetic claims depend heavily on brand policy, model age, and whether the appliance was installed and vented correctly.