Appliance Emergencies: When to Call Immediately vs. When to Wait

Most appliance problems can wait a day or two for a scheduled repair appointment. But a few are true emergencies that need immediate attention — either from us, from a 911 call, or from your home's gas company. After 12 years of taking emergency calls across DFW, here's our honest guide to what's urgent, what's not, and what to do in between.

True emergencies — call 911 or your gas company first

These situations are life-safety issues. Don't call us first — call 911 or your gas company.

• Gas smell from your stove, oven, or dryer that doesn't dissipate when the appliance is off. Leave the house and call Atmos Energy at 1-866-322-8667 (DFW's gas utility).
• Sparks or flames from any appliance. Unplug if safe to do so, evacuate, and call 911.
• Smoke coming from an appliance. Same protocol — unplug, evacuate, 911.
• Burning smell that persists after the appliance is unplugged. Evacuate and call 911.
• Electrical arcing — visible electricity jumping between components. Turn off the breaker and call an electrician.

Same-day emergencies — call us immediately

These issues need same-day attention but aren't life-safety emergencies. Call (214) 555-0142 — we keep same-day slots reserved for these.

• Refrigerator not cooling with food inside. You have 4–6 hours before food spoilage becomes significant. Same-day repair can save $200+ in groceries.
• Freezer not freezing. Same — food safety concern. Especially urgent in DFW summers.
• Water leak from refrigerator, washer, or dishwasher that you can't stop. Turn off the water supply valve first, then call us. Water damage escalates fast.
• Smoke or burning smell that dissipates when the appliance is unplugged. Don't use the appliance again until we inspect it.
• Sparks from an appliance that stop when it's unplugged. Same — don't reuse until inspected.
• Gas range burner that won't shut off. Turn off the gas supply valve behind the stove, then call.

Next-day issues — book within 24 hours

These need attention soon but can usually wait until tomorrow:

• Washer won't drain or spin. Inconvenient but not dangerous. Don't let it sit for more than 2 days — standing water in a washer grows mold fast.
• Dryer not heating. Inconvenient. Don't use a not-heating dryer repeatedly — it can damage the drum motor.
• Dishwasher not cleaning. Annoying but not urgent.
• Ice maker not making ice. Annoying but you can buy bagged ice.
• Oven not heating. Inconvenient but you have a microwave and stovetop.
• Microwave not heating. Inconvenient but rarely worth repairing if over 8 years old.

Can-wait issues — book within a week

These are quality-of-life issues that don't risk food safety, water damage, or fire:

• Refrigerator making a funny noise but still cooling fine.
• Dishwasher leaving spots on glasses.
• Washer slightly louder than usual but still cleaning.
• Dryer taking slightly longer than it used to.
• Refrigerator door seal slightly torn.

What to do while you wait for the technician

If you have a same-day appointment booked, here's what to do while you wait:

• Refrigerator not cooling: Keep the door closed. Every opening lets cold air out. Move milk and meat to a cooler with ice if the repair will be more than 4 hours out.
• Freezer not freezing: Same — keep it closed. A full freezer stays cold for 48 hours; a half-empty freezer only 24 hours.
• Water leak: Turn off the water supply valve. Mop up standing water to prevent floor damage.
• Gas smell (after gas company clears the house): Don't use the appliance until we inspect it.
• Sparks/burning: Leave the appliance unplugged. Take a photo of the affected area — it helps us diagnose.

Dallas-specific emergency notes

A few DFW-specific tips:

• Atmos Energy handles gas emergencies in most of DFW. Their emergency line is 1-866-322-8667, 24/7.
• Oncor handles electrical emergencies (downed lines, transformer issues). Call 1-888-313-4747.
• If your refrigerator fails during a DFW summer heat wave, prioritize same-day repair. 100°+ heat means food spoils in 2–3 hours, not 4–6.
• New construction in Frisco, Celina, and Prosper has a higher rate of warranty issues — check with the builder before paying us.