Ten Minutes That Save an Hour
Before You Call: The Appliance Repair Checklist
What to gather and what you can safely check before booking a repair visit, plus the short list of things to never try yourself.
Serving Thompson's Station & Williamson County · Mon–Fri 7AM–7PM · Sat 8AM–4PM · 24/7 Emergency
The Before-You-Call Checklist
Ten minutes of preparation makes a repair visit faster and cheaper: find the model and serial tag, write down error codes before unplugging anything, note when the problem started and what changed, take a photo of the symptom, and run only the safe checks listed here. Never open sealed systems, gas lines, or microwave cabinets. When in doubt, stop, make it safe, and call (615) 583-1836.
Gather this
- Model and serial numbers. Tag locations by appliance are on our age decoder page. A phone photo of the tag is perfect.
- Error codes, exactly as shown. Photograph the display before unplugging; power cycles erase codes that would have saved twenty minutes of testing.
- The symptom story. When it started, whether it was sudden or gradual, any noise, smell, or weather event (storms matter here) that came with it.
- Photos or a short video. A leak's location, frost pattern, or a recording of the noise is genuinely useful diagnosis material.
Safe checks worth doing
- Fridge or freezer: confirm temperatures with a thermometer, check vents are not blocked by food, feel for fan airflow, and try the 24-hour defrost test (unit off, doors open) if frost is heavy. Note: food safety first; use coolers.
- Washer: check the pump filter if your model has a front access door and you are comfortable catching a cup of water; confirm the drain hose is not kinked.
- Dryer: clean the lint trap, then stand outside while it runs and feel the vent airflow. Weak flow is real diagnostic data.
- Dishwasher: clear the bottom filter, check spray arms spin freely by hand, confirm the sink's garbage disposal plug story if the disposal is new.
- Disposal: the hex-key flywheel free-up and red reset button described on our disposal page, power off, hands out.
Never do these
Do not open a microwave cabinet (the capacitor can hold a lethal charge), do not loosen gas connections, do not bypass safety switches, and do not keep resetting a breaker that trips. Water near electrics, gas smells, and sparking mean stop and read our emergency page.
All Makes & Models
Brands We Service
We service these brands and many more. Not sure about yours? Call (615) 583-1836 or see our full brands page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The model number, photographed off the tag. It identifies parts, manuals, and likely faults before we arrive, and on premium brands it tells us which production run we are dealing with.
For leaks, smells, sparking, or anything electrical, yes, and shut off water where relevant. For a fridge that still cools partially, leave it running and keep doors closed; a warm box tells us less than a struggling one, and your food lasts longer.
No judgment; tell us what was replaced and keep the old parts if you have them. Knowing a new fan did not fix a warm fridge is diagnostic gold: it points at frost or controls. Forums are full of that exact story, and it genuinely helps.
That is what the phone is for. Many calls end with a safe check that solves it or a clear decision that it needs a visit. Call (615) 583-1836 during business hours, or the same number any time for a true emergency.
Ready When You Are
An Appliance Down in Thompson's Station?
One call gets a technician on the way. We serve all of Thompson's Station and Williamson County, Mon–Fri 7AM–7PM, Sat 8AM–4PM, with 24/7 emergency service.
Mon–Fri: 7AM – 7PM · Sat: 8AM – 4PM · 24/7 Emergency