Your refrigerator went silent at midnight. Your washer is leaking water across the laundry room floor. Your oven smells like gas. Each scenario has a specific sequence of actions in the first 10 minutes that prevents the problem from getting worse and more expensive.
Refrigerator Stopped Working
Don't open the doors. A sealed fridge maintains safe temperature for 4 hours. A full freezer stays frozen for 24-48 hours. Opening the door cuts those times in half. Check the power: is the outlet working? Plug in a phone charger to test. Check the thermostat: did someone bump it? Check the circuit breaker. If power is fine and the fridge is running but not cooling, call for same-day service. If it's making no sound at all, the compressor, start relay, or overload protector may have failed.
Washer Flooding the Floor
Turn off the water supply valves behind the washer. Righty-tighty closes them. Unplug the washer. Start removing standing water with towels. If water reached hardwood or carpet, set up fans to prevent mold (Florida humidity makes mold growth start within 24-48 hours). Call a technician. The cause is usually a failed door boot seal ($150-$250), burst inlet hose ($75-$150), or cracked tub ($300-$500).
Gas Smell From Oven or Dryer
Turn off the gas supply valve. For the oven, it's behind the range or at the wall. For the dryer, it's on the gas line behind the unit. Open windows. Do not turn on lights, flip switches, or use your phone near the appliance. Leave the house. Call your gas utility company's emergency line first. They'll check for leaks at no charge. After they clear the area, call an appliance repair technician to diagnose the failed gas valve, igniter, or connection.
Dryer Burning Smell or Sparks
Unplug the dryer immediately. Do not run it again. A burning smell usually means lint has accumulated near the heating element or a felt drum seal has worn through. Both are fire hazards. Open the dryer door and remove clothes. Check for visible scorch marks on clothing or inside the drum. Call a technician before running the dryer again. Continuing to use it risks a lint fire inside the vent system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my refrigerator stops working?
Don't open the doors (food stays safe for 4 hours). Check the outlet, thermostat setting, and circuit breaker. If everything checks out and the fridge is still not cooling, call for same-day service.
My washer is flooding, what do I do first?
Turn off the water supply valves behind the washer (righty-tighty). Unplug the washer. Remove standing water with towels. Set up fans to prevent mold growth. Then call a technician.
Need Appliance Repair on the Treasure Coast?
Same-day service 7 days a week. Diagnostic fee applied toward repair. All brands.