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. Here's our honest guide from emergency calls across DFW — 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 (847) 246-2536 — 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.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an appliance repair emergency?
Gas smells, sparks/burning smell, active flooding from an appliance, or a fridge failure during extreme heat with perishable food at risk.
Who do I call for a gas smell in DFW?
Leave the home and call Atmos Energy's emergency line (1-866-322-8667) or 911. Do not use the appliance until cleared.
Do you offer same-day emergency service?
Same-day appointments are available seven days a week across DFW when scheduling allows. Call (847) 246-2536 and we will triage urgency honestly.
Should I keep a failing fridge closed?
Yes — keep doors closed to preserve cold. Move perishables to a cooler if the unit has been warm for more than a couple of hours in summer.
