Pinal & Maricopa County, Arizona
Appliance Problems & Repair Tips
Start with what your appliance is doing. Below that is the upkeep that heads off most of the calls we get. It comes from 17 years of fixing appliances in Arizona, where hard water and 115-degree summers change what breaks.
What is it doing?
The problems we get called about most, written as the steps you'd work through yourself, and where to stop.
- Microwave Microwave not heating Microwave not heating? A step-by-step check for one that runs but won't heat, the two things that are safe to check yourself, and exactly where to stop. See the fix
- Trash Compactor Trash compactor not compacting Trash compactor repair: not compacting, stuck mid-cycle or smelling? The problems we find most, what you can safely check, and when it's not worth it. See the fix
- Dishwasher Cove dishwasher faults Cove dishwasher repair: not draining, not cleaning or won't start? What usually fails on them in Arizona, the check worth doing first, and when to call. See the fix
- Garbage Disposal Garbage disposal not working Garbage disposal not working? Humming, leaking or not turning on, here are five checks in order, including the reset button and hex key most people miss. See the fix
- Oven Oven not heating properly Oven repair starts with the symptom: not heating, heating unevenly or running hot. The faults we find most, safe checks, and the gas smell that means stop. See the fix
- Freezer Freezer not freezing Freezer not freezing but the light is on? A step-by-step check covering the four things that are safe to test yourself, and the point where it stops. See the fix
- Dryer Dryer not drying A dryer not drying, taking three cycles, or running hot with damp clothes. The airflow checks that fix most of it, and the burning smell that means stop. See the fix
- Freezer Sub-Zero temperature swings Sub-Zero freezer temperature fluctuations, a warm freezer or an alarm? What causes the swings on a built-in unit, and which ones are worth repairing. See the fix
Don't see your problem? Try the troubleshooter, pick your appliance below, or browse every guide.
Pick an appliance
Each one has a two-minute check, a maintenance schedule worth following, and the point where it stops being a DIY job.
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Washing Machine
- Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Oven
- Stove
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Garbage Disposal
- Trash Compactor
- Wine Cooler
Guides and articles
The longer reads: Arizona heat, repair-or-replace math, and what's worth doing yourself.
- Guide Arizona Appliance Maintenance: The Survival Guide Arizona appliance maintenance comes down to hard water and extreme heat. What both do to your machines, and the schedule that keeps you ahead of them. Read the guide →
- Article · Refrigerator Garage Refrigerator in Arizona: How to Keep It Running A garage refrigerator dies early in Arizona, and it's not bad luck. What 115-degree heat does to the compressor, and the fixes that really help. Read the article →
- Guide · Washer Washer Repair Tools: What You Need and What You Don't The washer repair tools worth owning before attempting a fix, which jobs they cover, and the repairs where buying tools costs more than calling someone. Read the guide →
- Guide · Refrigerator Refrigerator Maintenance: What Matters in Arizona Refrigerator maintenance that's worth your time. The three jobs that add years to a fridge here, why the coils matter most, and what to skip. Read the guide →
- Repair or replace · Washer Washer Repair vs Replacement: How to Decide Washer repair vs replacement: when a washing machine is worth fixing. Two numbers decide it, how old the washer is and what the repair will cost. See the math →
Tried the check and still stuck?
Call and we'll give you a flat rate before anyone starts.
Call (480) 791-8858 Schedule ServiceQuestions about these tips
Are these tips specific to Arizona?
Yes. Hard water and extreme heat cause most appliance breakdowns here, so the advice is built around those two, not general tips.
Should I try to fix it myself first?
For a fair number of problems, yes, and each guide tells you when. Cleaning condenser coils, clearing a drain or checking a filter costs nothing and fixes a good share of the calls we get.
When should I stop and call someone?
Anything involving gas, refrigerant, or the sealed refrigerant system, which has to be opened with special tools and training. By law, handling refrigerant takes EPA 608 certification, and gas work isn't the place to experiment.
Will you still quote a flat rate if I have already tried to fix it?
Yes. We quote a flat rate before we start either way, and if you've already ruled a few things out, it usually helps us find the problem faster.