Keep the Spark Alive: How to Spot & Prevent Electrical Issues in Your Appliances

From flickering lights to strange smells, electrical issues in your appliances can be serious. Here’s how to address them before they get worse.

Electricity is integral to our homes. From our food to our clothes to the large majority of our entertainment, all of it has something to do with electricity. Our appliances especially with a few notable exceptions, run on electricity. Which means keeping that spark working properly and safe is important. This week we're looking at the risks that can occur from an overloaded circuit or faulty wiring as well as how to spot and take preventative measures.

WHAT IS AN OVERLOAD? 

Before we go digging into your appliances and how your home is set up, you need to understand what an overload is and what causes them. 

An electrical circuit is the path that electricity flows along. It's made up of wires, conductors, switches, and a circuit breaker, which acts as a safety device. A circuit allows electricity to flow from the power source or outlet to all of the devices that are hooked to that outlet. 

Courtesy of Conger Design

If you think of a circuit like  A river, then a circuit is overloaded when the water passing through it is at more than what the appliances and devices connected to it need or when they are pulling too much through the circuit.  For example if  your outlet is pulling double what your refrigerator needs, it is as if the river has overflowed. The gauge of the wire, the rating of the circuit breaker, and the electrical panel all work together to establish the maximum load for a circuit. And this is why the other type of an overload can happen, when appliances are pulling more than what an outlet is rated for.

While it can be hard to wrap your head around at first, understanding this concept is crucial to your home. Every circuit in your home has a set amount that it can handle safely. Overloading these circuits can lead to overheating, tripped breakers, broken appliances, or electrical fires.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Being able to recognize the warning signs in your appliances all the potential overload not only keeps you safe but it keeps your appliances safe. Electrical problems can often start small but they will escalate and rapidly. 

Flickering and dimming lights are a sign to watch out for. This can indicate an overloaded circuit that's working to supply power. 

If your circuit breaker trips and then immediately trips again after you turn it back on this is another sign to watch out for. This means that it is detecting excessive current. 

The next step on the warning scale is if you have a smell of burning from your outlets or your appliances and you aren't cooking anything yet. This can mean that the wiring or the insulation are overheating. 

And then you need to keep an eye out , or maybe an ear out, for buzzing. Buzzing in either outlets or an appliance can and often does indicate that either wires are loose or that it is drawing too much power.

If your outlets start to become warm to the touch or worse discolored, this is not a sign this is a red flag. It is getting hot enough that you need to worry about a fire soon. 

If you notice any of these issues, take immediate action to prevent potential electrical damage or fire hazards.

Common Causes of Electrical Overloads

So we know what an overload is, and warning signs to look out for, the next step to keeping spark alive in your house is knowing the causes. What can you do today to keep that spark alive for years to come?

1. Don't Put Too Many Devices on One Circuit

Plugging in power hungry appliances, like your refrigerator, space heaters, and dryers on the same circuit can easily overload that circuit. Kitchen circuits are especially prone to this problem. So make sure that you know which outlets are rated for what in your home. If you're buying new you should be able to ask, or you can ask an electrician to come out and give you a hand. 

2. Old or Outdated Wiring

Older homes, like those that were built in Grapevine and Bedford, don't always have wiring that was designed for modern electrical loads. Unless the house was gutted and rewired, many of these homes are built to older codes, and can struggle with the number of electronics we use today. This can cause the wiring to overheat and fail which increases fire risks.

3. Faulty or Failing Appliances

If you have an appliance that you haven't gotten to take care of yet, or haven't noticed that there was a problem, it may draw excessive power. If it's damaged or defective it can easily draw so much that it causes circuit breakers to trip.

4. Extension Cord Overuse

Say it with us. Extension cords are like Band-Aids. They're a temporary fix not a permanent one. Using extension cords long-term or worse Daisy-chaining them together, creates dangerous situations. We love having flowers around the house but Daisy chains are not one of them.  

And in the event that you haven't heard of the term daisy chain, that is when you plug one extension cord into another extension cord and hope that everything turns out fine. It doesn't. Especially if you have a power hungry set of computers plugged in. That's a recipe for fire. 

5. Loose or Corroded Wiring 

Poor electrical connection, such as between a plug and an outlet that has corrosion, can increase the resistance within the circuit. This can cause overheating and circuit failure as the appliance tries to draw power and gas to work harder to get it. 

Courtesy of Shelton Keys Dunning

6. Multiple High-Wattage Devices Running Simultaneously 

Even if they're on completely separate outlets, they might not be on separate circuits. So having multiple large appliances running at the same time can push the limits of an older electrical system. An example of this is having to make sure you run only your microwave or your toaster oven and not both at the same time because it'll flip the breaker. This is an example of multiple things on one circuit, but plugged into separate outlets.

How to Prevent Electrical Overloads

Fortunately there are steps that you can take to protect your home under appliances. 

• Distribute your high wattage appliances across separate circuits. 

Don't plug them all into the same circuit and definitely not into the same outlet. The sole exception to this if your house was intentionally wired for it, would be the washer and dryer. And those are usually on a separate circuit of their own with a dedicated outlet. 

• Use power strips with surge protectors 

         A power strip is not the same thing as an extension cord. Yes it does act to let you plug multiple things into an outlet, but it also has a mini breaker of its own so that if it gets overheated it will shut off.

• Smart outlets are your friends 

Appliances and other electronics still draw power even when turned off. Previously it was necessary to just completely unplug them. Now with the Advent of smart plugs, you can shut them off either on a timer or from your phone much easier and it makes your electric bill easier to handle as well. 

•  Upgrade outdated wiring 

If you know that you're home is an older home, 50 years or more, it would not hurt to have an electrician out to inspect the wiring system. They may advise you to upgrade, they might not. As we are not electricians, this is important but outside of our ballpark. 

Electrical Hazards & Consequences

Ignoring electrical issues isn't any good for you or your appliances. Just like a relationship ignoring the problem will not make it go away, it just grows teeth and gets bigger. 

Ignoring electrical issues can lead to serious dangers, including:

Courtesy of Ulrike Mai

• Electrical Fires – Overheating wires can ignite surrounding materials, leading to devastating house fires.

• Damaged Appliances – Power surges and overloads can shorten the lifespan of expensive appliances.

• Electric Shocks – Faulty wiring or overloaded outlets can increase the risk of shocks, which can cause severe injuries.

• Burns, muscular spasms, heart collapse, and other potentially fatal consequences can ensue from receiving an electric shock. Overloading circuits, needing more insulation, and not getting expert advice from electricians are all things that can increase the danger of electric hazards.

• Arcing & Short Circuits – Overloaded circuits or damaged wiring can cause electrical arcing, which produces extreme heat and sparks, increasing fire risks.

• Structural Damage – Persistent overheating can degrade wiring insulation and even damage walls or electrical panels over time.

• Increased Energy Costs – Overloaded circuits force appliances to work harder, leading to inefficiency and higher electricity bills. 

• Frequent Power Outages – An overloaded electrical system may cause regular outages or failures.

When to Call a Professional

If you experience any of the following appliance-related electrical issues, Appliance Rescue Service is here to help: 

• An Appliance Is Tripping the Circuit Breaker Repeatedly – If resetting the breaker doesn’t solve the issue, the appliance may have an internal fault.

• An Appliance Overheats or Emits a Burning Smell – This could indicate wiring issues or motor failure inside the unit.

• A Major Appliance Suddenly Stops Working – Especially if there was no power surge or visible damage, it may need professional repair.

• A Faulty Appliance Shows Signs of Electrical Issues – Buzzing sounds, inconsistent performance, or visible sparks mean it needs servicing.

• A Fridge, Washer, or Dryer Loses Power Unexpectedly – If the issue isn't with the circuit itself, the appliance may have an electrical fault.

Don’t wait for sparks to fly—take action today to keep your home safe and your appliances running smoothly. If you notice persistent electrical problems—such as frequent breaker trips, buzzing outlets, or burning smells—it’s best to consult a licensed electrician. Regular inspections can prevent small problems from turning into major, costly repairs.  

Additional Reading
Common Appliance Issues That Could Ruin Your Holiday – And How to Prevent Them

The Risks of DIY Appliance Repairs and How to Avoid Them

Unlocking Your Dishwasher: A Troubleshooting Guide

Avoid the Break-Up: How Overloading Appliances Can Lead to Disaster

 Think cramming in that extra load will save time? Think again!

We all want our household chores to be as quick and efficient as possible. Tossing in an extra sweater, cramming in a few more dishes, or stuffing the dryer to the brim might seem like a great time-saver. But is it?

Overloading your appliances doesn’t just mean a subpar clean or an extra drying cycle. It causes real damage—broken parts, clogged drains, and costly repairs that could have been avoided. Worse, it shortens the lifespan of your machines, meaning you’ll be shopping for a replacement much sooner than expected.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the risks of overloading your dishwasher, washer, and dryer, along with some telltale signs that your appliances are crying out for a break.

Dishwasher

Let's start off with the one we’re all probably guilty of. Overloading the dishwasher. 

It's the end of a long week, and all you want is to go to sleep, and you just need to fit a few more dishes in. You don't want to wash them by hand, and surely you can find a way to make them fit. That is the type of thinking that we are all guilty of at least every now and then. But as you can tell, since you're here, that leads to many problems. 

The biggest one for that late-night version of you? Tomorrow-you is going to have to wash all of those dishes again. When there's not enough space in the dishwasher water and soap cannot flow easily and they struggle to clean everything fully. This means that you're going to be pulling out plates with food still stuck on them or silverware that is still oily from the day before. 

Putting in cookware and facing it downwards rather than to the side will act like a shield. That blocks the spray arm, which not only causes your other dishes to stay dirty but can also end up breaking your spray arm. 

If you pack things too tightly, you can end up having broken dishes from things being pushed during the wash cycle. 

Courtesy of jhenning

You can also end up dealing with clogged drainage which will then lead eventually to water leaking across your kitchen. It all starts with the food and oily residue that we mentioned before. When you're overloading the dishwasher, there's too much for it to handle and so not everything gets washed out. From there the drain's clog and not only does that cause issues with bacteria breeding, but it can also lead to water leaking out of the dishwasher because there's nowhere else for it to go.

Washer

Still dealing with water oriented appliances, let's take a look at the washer in your laundry room. Overloading your washing machine can come in one of two forms, either you are putting items that are two bulky and take up too much space, or you're putting an items that are too heavy. 

Both of these, however, will result in many problems, the least of which is having to rerun the load. 

Overloading your washing machine puts strain on the motor and faster wear and tear from that strain means the motor will die that much more quickly.

Like we mentioned, you'll have to rewash the load because the water is unable to reach everything during the first load. So you can either run it twice or deal with the clothes not being as clean as they should be. 

 Having your clothes packed tightly together is also likely to damage your clothing. Buttons, zippers, and other closures can catch on hems, stray strings, or even delicate fabrics and cause rips. This means your carefully curated wardrobe dies far more quickly than you would want.

Courtesy of RDNE Stock Project

You can also lose pieces. Have you ever wondered what happens to your  socks? When you know you put two pairs in and you only get one of each back? One of the reasons that can happen is that smaller items are easier to get sucked down the drainage of your washer. Which leads to its own problems, like clogged pipes or leaks depending on the size of the item. 

Dryer 

Your dryer has the easiest signs to spot if you're overloading it. If you dryer is producing lots of lint, and we do mean lots. If you are needing to dry a load more than once in order to get it completely dry. Or if you pull out excessively wrinkled clothing straight from the dryer. These are all signs that your dryer is overloaded. 

Courtesy of Planet Care

These are problems in and of themselves, but larger ones are the damage to the dryer itself. The belt, pulley assembly, and bearings, these are critical components. If these break, your dryer is non-functional. a

Overloading your appliances might seem like a non-issue or even a way to save time and money. But as we pointed out in each section, continual overloading means that you save neither. Overloading stops things from either getting cleaned or dried appropriately, as neither water nor air can flow easily. So you end up having to run a load twice maybe even three times, depending on what you were doing. Then, you end up with an even higher electric bill. With enough time and repeated overloading, you also wear down your appliance. This means that you then need to call in a technician to diagnose and fix the problem. Which, although we are here to fix your appliances, is not something we want for you. We’re always here to help with repairs, but preventing damage in the first place saves you time, money, and the frustration of an appliance breakdown.

Appliance Rescue Service is here for you—whether your appliances are brand new or have been with you for years. Our goal? To get them back in top shape so they serve you well for years to come.  You can reach out to us to via our website or by giving us a call and we’ll work with you to help you find a date and time that works for you.

Website
Call: (214) 599-0055

Additional Reading
Signs Your Appliances Are Overheating, and What to Do About It

DIY Repairs vs. Your Appliance Warranty: What’s the Real Cost?

Prepare Your Home for Fall: Essential Maintenance Tips

Quick Fix or Costly Mistake? Myths About Appliance Repairs

From resets to DIY parts swaps—debunking the most common myths.

If you’ve ever searched online for appliance repair tips, you’ve likely encountered countless “quick fixes” promising to solve your problems in minutes. While they might sound like an easy fix, and even make sense in the moment many of these so-called solutions can do more harm than good—and cost you more in the long run. Let’s break down some of the most common myths about appliance repairs and why trusting professionals is often the smarter choice.

The “Duct Tape Solution” Myth

Myth: Duct tape can fix almost anything, including your appliances!

Courtesy of WikimediaImages

Reality: While duct tape is a versatile household staple, it’s not a permanent solution for appliance issues. Using duct tape to seal a leaky hose can work temporarily. In the long run, it leads to more extensive damage when the tape inevitably fails or interferes with the appliance’s ability to work. It’s commonly misused on cracked refrigerator shelves, loose washing machine panels, and even air conditioner vents, which can worsen over time. It’s especially important to keep in mind that it’s not designed to withstand heat, moisture or pressure, and shouldn’t be used for a long term solution. Duct tape is meant to be a stop gap. 

The Better Fix: Replace damaged parts with manufacturer-approved components and have them installed by a professional to ensure safety and longevity.

The “Just Reset It” Myth

Myth: Turning an appliance off and on will fix any glitch.

Reality: While resetting is often the first step  a professional will try with a smart appliance, it’s not a cure-all. Many modern appliances do rely on advanced chips to control them, and a simple reset can fix minor glitches. However while chips can be reset, deeper issues like malfunctions in the code, or damaged chips or hardware issues, like faulty wiring, worn motors or failing sensors can’t be ‘reset.’ Ignoring these signs can lead to more than momentary frustration. 

Courtesy of Jules A.

The Better Fix: If the issue persists after resetting, it’s time to call in an expert. A professional can diagnose the root cause and prevent the problem from escalating.

The “It’s Cheaper if You Do It Yourself!” Myth

Myth: You can save money by replacing broken parts yourself.

Reality: While it might seem straightforward to swap out a damaged part, modern appliances often have complex systems that require precise installation. They can also be tricky to get to and require a full disassemble of the appliance, or tools made just for the appliance. A DIY attempt can lead to improperly fitted parts, voided warranties, or even safety hazards like electrical shocks or gas leaks.

courtesy of congerdesign.

The Better Fix: Always consult a professional for repairs involving electrical or gas components. This not only ensures safety but also maintains your appliance’s warranty coverage.

The “Overloading Isn’t a Big Deal” Myth

Myth: Appliances are built to handle more than their recommended capacity.

Reality: This one is as much a  time-saving trick that we try as well as an appliance trick. While it’s hard to overload your dishwasher, we all have overloaded our washers and dryers at least a time or two. With your dishwasher, it’s a problem of putting in too many heavy pots and pans or squishing in every single plate. This can present proper water circulation which leaves your dishes dirty, and overworks the dishwasher. With the washer and dryer there is a recommended amount that you can fill it to. When you overload it, that strains the motor, and throws off the balance within the machine. This causes damage to the drum and the bearings, and lands you a hefty bill. This “quick fix” for saving time often results in expensive repairs or even appliance replacement. 

The Better Fix: Stick to the manufacturer’s recommended load capacity. If you’re frequently running out of space, consider whether it might be time to upgrade to a larger machine instead. 

The “Tap It, and It Will Work” Myth

Myth: If your appliance stops working, give it a tap, and it’ll start again.

Reality: While this old-school “fix” might occasionally work for loose connections, it’s not a reliable or safe solution. Repeatedly jostling your appliance can damage internal components and worsen the issue. Besides, “percussive maintenance” may provide a moment of satisfaction, but it rarely provides a lasting fix.

Courtesy of Steve Buissinne

The Better Fix: Don’t rely on a temporary “tap” solution. If your appliance isn’t functioning properly, it’s time for a professional inspection.

When it comes to appliance repairs, quick fixes often lead to long-term headaches. Instead of risking further damage or voiding your warranty, let the professionals at Appliance Rescue Service handle the job. Our skilled technicians know how to address problems safely and effectively, ensuring your appliances keep running smoothly for years to come. Call us today to schedule a repair and give your home the care it deserves.

Website

Call (214) 599-0055

Additional Reading

The Risks of DIY Appliance Repairs and How to Avoid Them
Keep Your Dishwasher in Top Shape

The Hidden Costs of Delaying Appliance Repairs

Holiday Success Starts at Home: Essential Tips for Your Appliance, Kitchen, and Home

Everything you need to get your appliances and home in top shape for a joyful, organized holiday season.

The holidays are almost here, and it feels like all of our time is being spent in the kitchen. That can be a wonderful way to foster togetherness and celebration with friends and family. But, given it’s the heart of all of the festivities, your kitchen appliances are working SO much harder. Possibly even harder than they do during summer. That makes it crucial to ensure they’re ready to handle the demands of the season. 

To help you making the most of the season AND keep your home running smoothly we’ve compiled the best of our holiday appliance tips into one ultimate guide. We’re hitting cleaning, troubleshooting, and how to organize everything. This roundup has everything to keep your home ticking like clockwork so you can focus on enjoying the season. 

Essential Preparations for High-Use Appliances

Courtesy of koolshooters

Our holiday meals are almost always center stage for holiday events. Everyone tries to make the best new recipe or to make the family favorites. Which means that your oven, dishwasher and refrigerator are the unsung heroes of your kitchen at this time of year. A little prep work ahead of the holidays can ensure they’re up for the heavy lifting. 

Before your guests arrive, check your dishwasher for clogs and clean out the fridge to make sure you have plenty of room for food. 

Dishwasher Tips: Help Your Dishwasher Clean Better – Just in Time for the Holidays!

As the holiday season approaches, your dishwasher is likely to get plenty of use. To help ensure it runs smoothly, start by running hot water first, sanitize with vinegar, and clean the gaskets and trap. Avoid overcrowding to prevent dirty dishes—these simple steps will keep your dishwasher in top shape for all the holiday meals ahead!

Kitchen Hazards Unveiled 

Oven safety is crucial in the kitchen, where common hazards include range tipovers, cookware injuries, and cooking fires. By taking preventative steps like installing anti-tip brackets, using heat-safe cookware, and staying vigilant while cooking, you can minimize risks and keep your kitchen safe. Don't forget, regular maintenance can also ensure your oven is in top shape, so you can focus on cooking up those holiday meals with peace of mind!

Chill Hacks Unveiled: Mastering Your Fridge's Microzones for Fresher Foods

Maximize your refrigerator's efficiency and reduce food waste this holiday season by understanding its various temperature zones. From storing dairy in the stable middle shelves to keeping meats on the bottom, organizing your fridge properly can extend food freshness and minimize spoilage. 

4 Tips to Get your Garbage Disposal Ready for the Holidays!  

As the holiday season brings heavy kitchen use, don’t forget to prepare your garbage disposal with these simple tips: scour for grime with ice cubes, avoid certain foods, clean with fruit peels or baking soda, and use it regularly to prevent rust.

Avoiding Holiday Appliance Mishaps

Nothing is quite as bad as a malfunctioning appliance in the middle of Christmas dinner. Thankfully, a few simple steps can help you avoid common issues, so you can focus on what matters most to you and your family. 

Remember some of most oft-repeated advice: 

Courtesy of August de Richelieu

• Unless it’s steam cleaning, avoid the self-clean button on your oven! 

• Keep an eye on your electrical outlets. Tempting as it is, don’t overload them or bring power strips into the kitchen when you’re handling lots of small appliances. 

• Keep your dishwasher clean of build-up and clogs

• Check the seals on all of your appliances, and make sure that they’re clean, free of grime, cracks or breaks. 

For a Stress-Free Holiday – Skip the Self Clean Mode!

While the 'self-clean' button on your oven sounds tempting, it's best avoided, especially before the holidays. High temperatures can cause damage and release harmful fumes. Instead, clean your oven manually to avoid repair issues and keep your holidays stress-free. 

Common Appliance Issues That Could Ruin Your Holiday – And How to Prevent Them

Prepare your home appliances ahead of the holiday season with simple maintenance tasks to avoid stress. Deep clean your oven, stove, fridge, and washer, watch for common issues like clogged filters, and ensure your electrical system is ready for extra holiday use. A little preparation can keep everything running smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying time with your loved ones.

Pre-Holiday Cleaning and Organization

A sparkling kitchen not only impresses guests but also makes holiday cooking and entertaining easier. Plus, addressing potential hazards ahead of time ensures a safer and smoother experience.

Focus on often-overlooked areas, like the oven’s drip pans or the back of your fridge, and ensure everything has its place before the holiday chaos begins. These small steps make a big difference when you’re juggling a house full of guests. And it doesn’t hurt to make sure the guest rooms are set up as well.

Organizing Your Home Before the Holiday Daze

"Get ahead of the holiday chaos with these easy tips for decluttering, organizing, and storing your decorations and gifts. From using bins and baskets to setting up a wrapping station, these tricks will help you stay stress-free and make your home holiday-ready in no time.

5 Spots in the Kitchen to Clean Before the Holidays

The holidays are just around the corner, so it's the perfect time to get your kitchen ready for all the entertaining and baking. Don't forget the often-overlooked spots like your range hood, small appliances, trashcan, oven, and refrigerator. 

10 Kitchen Hazards to Avoid this Holiday Season

The kitchen is the heart of holiday celebrations, but it can also be filled with potential hazards. From burns and knife injuries to spills and grease buildup, there are several dangers to watch out for this season. Stay safe while cooking by taking simple precautions and ensuring your appliances are in good working order before the holiday rush!

19 Essentials to Setting up a Gorgeous Guest Room

Courtesy of RDNE

Turn your guest room into a cozy, luxurious retreat for the holidays with thoughtful touches like extra toiletries, a luggage rack, and a well-made bed. Make sure your space is fully stocked with essentials to ensure your guests feel relaxed and at home during their stay.

Pro Tips from Appliance Rescue Service 

Our team at Appliance Rescue Service recommends scheduling routine maintenance ahead of the holidays to ensure your appliances are in peak condition. Think of it as a little extra insurance against unexpected breakdowns, so you can focus on creating holiday memories.

By following these tips, you can make your holiday season as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether it’s prepping appliances, avoiding common pitfalls, or staying organized, you’ll be ready to enjoy every moment. And if an unexpected issue does arise, you can always count on Appliance Rescue Service to keep your home running smoothly.

Website

Call : (214) 599-0055

Signs Your Appliances Are Overheating—and How to Handle It

Simple steps to protect your home and appliances from overheating damage.

Appliances are the backbone of a modern home, working tirelessly to keep our lives running smoothly. But what happens when they start overheating? It might seem like a minor inconvenience at first—an extra-warm dryer load or food that browns too quickly in the oven. Yet, these small signs can indicate much larger problems brewing beneath the surface. Left unchecked, overheating can lead to serious malfunctions, costly repairs, and even potential safety hazards.

Understanding the early warning signs of overheating is crucial for maintaining the health of your appliances. By catching the problem early, you can avoid unexpected breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your household staples. In this guide, we’ll walk through common scenarios where overheating becomes a concern, showing you what might happen if you don’t address the issue—and how taking preventative steps can lead to a better outcome for your home.

Before: A Warm Back and Buzzing Noises

Picture a typical summer day in Texas. You reach for your fridge to get a cold drink and realize that the sides are feeling warmer than they should. You brush it off, thinking it's Texas. What else is new? However, you notice over the next few days that there are other things going on, and the heat hasn't diminished. Your milk is spoiling faster, and the food at the front of your fridge isn't as cold as it should be. You notice a persistent buzzing whenever you come into the kitchen. Then your energy bill arrives, and it's much higher than it should be, even though you're taking active steps to reduce your energy usage.

These are the classic signs of an overheating refrigerator. They all indicate that your fridge's compressor is working overtime and struggling to maintain temperature. If left unchecked, this can lead to a breakdown of the appliance.

After: Cool and Quiet

Now, let's see what that scenario can look like when you take action. Noticing the signs, you unplug your refrigerator and grab a broom to clean off the condenser coils. The coils being covered in dust prevented your fridge from cooling itself. While you're back there, you decide to check the fan and find that debris was obstructing it, also keeping it from cooling. Finally you check out the air filter and notice it was just as dusty and was choked because the refrigerator didn't have ventilation space.

After plugging your fridge back in, the buzzing noise vanished! Even better, the sides of the fridge are cool to the touch, and your next electric bill has gone back to normal. Congrats, you have successfully prevented a major appliance failure.

Before: Microwave Shuts Down Unexpectedly

Picture this: you're heating up some lunch in your microwave. Halfway through, the microwave suddenly shuts off. You try to press various buttons and power it back on, but it doesn't respond. You notice that the kitchen is warm but surely that's just because it's summer. You know that there had been a faint of buzzing before it shut off, but you thought that might have just been the tray getting stuck. It does that sometimes. It's annoying because all you want is to eat your lunch and go back about your day.

Having your microwave shut down suddenly like this suggests that the microwave has overheated. That shutdown is actually an automatic safety feature that kicks in when your microwave gets too hot. There are a lot of different reasons that can cause this, from faulty components to block ventilation to running the microwave for too long. And if you had your microwave for several years, wear and tear take a toll, making overheating much more likely.

After: Smooth
Operation and Safe Heating

What happens if you take steps to prevent this though? After the microwave cools down you check around the sides of the microwave and notice that it's partially blocked by other appliances on your counter. You clear the space around it to ensure it has proper air flow next to you grab the vinegar and clean the microwave thoroughly paying extra attention to the vents to get rid of all the dust. Then you make a mental note, or if you're like us a sticky note, to not run the microwave for extended periods of time without breaks.

Making these adjustments and having taken the time to let it cool down, your microwave starts working again. And you avoid further unexpected shutdowns because I can breathe better too. Plus you've extended the lifespan of your microwave by keeping up with a little maintenance.

Before: Dishwasher Overheats and Fails to Clean Properly

You start your wash cycle and continue going about your nightly routine. You hear strange sounds coming from your kitchen. You put it off until the next morning when you notice it's not cleaning the dishes as thoroughly as it should. In fact it hasn't been for a few weeks. It also seems to have been running very hot at times steam has been billowing out and when you open after it finishes some of the dishes have been scalding hot. Eventually a warning light or an error code pops up. And still your dishes are coming out dirty and you don't know why.

These are all signs that something has gone wrong with your dishwasher and it's overheating. The most common cause for this is a malfunctioning heating element which might have shorted out. This can raise the water temperatures beyond normal levels. Another possibility is that the thermostat that limits The heat is no longer working. Which means your dishwasher can't tell how hot the water has become. Alternately if the thermostat is malfunctioning or positioned wrong, it might not shut off the heating element which then causes the appliance to overheat.

After: Efficient Cleaning with Proper Temperature Regulation

What happens though when you work to address these issues? All three of those issues will typically require a professional to get involved. You can do it yourself, but it is fiddly work, and often difficult to get to. However you go about it, you've fixed your dishwasher. You noticed that the appliances running smoothly, the the steam has stopped billowing out, and the noises have stopped. You can now go back to loading your dishwasher without worrying about burning your hands or dishes not coming out clean.

Before: Clothes and Dryer Overheating

It's the start of your weekend and you are determined to get things done. You started drawing cycle for the laundry you're doing and keep on grooving. And then when it finishes you come over and yank your hand back because you realize that the exterior is too hot to touch. You wait a few minutes and open it up and find out your clothes are also unusually hot. This isn't right and you start to worry. Even more concerning there is a strange smell in the air. These are signs that your dryer is very probably overheating. It's frustrating and worrisome because you are on a roll and now you need to figure out what to do about this.

Several different issues can cause overheating. The most common culprit is a reduction of the airflow

through your dryer. Unfortunately, that can also be caused by several different sources. This can be due to a blockage in the internal duct or a kink in the transition hose that links your dryer to the wall. You could also have a blockage in that transition hose. Another problem that can cause overheating is excessive lint buildup either inside of the dryer or the exhaust outlet. Finally the exhaust outlet could also be not opening fully. And if it's not blocked airflow it could be a faulty heating element, a defective cycling thermostat a broken or missing felt seal, or an obstructed blower wheel. These are all mechanical elements that could be causing a problem.

After: Efficient and Safe Drying

What happens though when you've addressed those issues? You start by inspecting your vent system and find that there was a kink in the transition hose as well as a tiny sock. Is that what happens to all of them? Maybe. You also had excessive lint buildup in the vent. You clear that out and straighten the hose making sure that the air flow is now unrestricted. Next you check the exhaust outlet on your roof and that's fine it's opening completely without issue. You also check out the various mechanical parts, relying on our Good Friend YouTube to see what you're looking for. 

With these changes in place your dryer goes back to normal. The air flow moves smoothly through your dryer and it stops overheating the sides and your clothes. You can now get back on the roll and enjoy the rest of your weekend, without worrying about your clothes catching fire.

Before: Overheated Oven and Undercooked Meals

It's a Sunday and you are excitedly trying out a new recipe for cookies is that you've been looking forward to all week. The recipe calls for them to come out soft and golden brown. However when you open up your oven you find their a dark brown, dry and crumbly. You start wondering whether it is you and did you follow the recipe correctly? But then you think that it happened last night too with the chicken you made, it was tough but also cooked unevenly. You also noticed that the oven is unusually hot even for summer. This could be a sign that your oven is overheating, which leads to poorly cooked food and safety concerns.

There are several issues that could cause your oven to overheat. You might have a broken temperature sensor that's not accurately measuring the internal temperature. A faulty thermostat can also fail to regulate the temperature properly. Damaged heating elements or a loose thermostat knob can also contribute to the problem. Additionally a blocked vent, a faulty cooling fan, or a malfunctioning selector switch can all interfere with airflow and temperature regulation

After: Perfectly Baked and Well-Maintained Oven

Some of these issues you can fix on your own. Let's tackle those first. You start by cleaning your oven thoroughly, removing any food residue and grease that could block any of the vents. Be it on top on the sides or inside, you scrub everything. While you're at it you look at your ovens manual to find and clean the cooling fan. You also look over the heating elements by hand to see if you can find any obvious damage. 

 For the rest of it, though, you need a professional who knows what they're looking for. Especially if you're dealing with a gas oven. So you call them and they look at your broken temperature sensor and thermostat to ensure that it's working properly. If there was any damage to your heating elements they go and replace those. They also check out the loose thermostat knob making sure it's placed securely, and repairing the selector switch if it was needed.

With these fixes, your oven goes back to working properly for you. Your cookie recipe comes out perfectly golden, and your dinner that night is not a dry husk. Taking care of your oven and addressing any issues swiftly ensures safe and delicious cooking every time you turn it on.

Keeping your appliances in check can make all the difference in ensuring they run efficiently and safely for years to come. Whether it's preventing an overheated dryer or tackling a malfunctioning oven thermostat, the right steps can turn potential disasters into minor inconveniences. But sometimes, despite your best efforts, professional intervention is necessary. That’s where Appliance Rescue Service comes in.

Our team of expert technicians is ready to step in when things get complicated. From diagnosing tricky overheating issues to providing long-term maintenance solutions, we’re here to help you keep your home running smoothly. If any of your appliances show signs of overheating, don’t wait—give Appliance Rescue Service a call. We’ll make sure your appliances are back in top shape, so you can focus on the things that matter most.

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Additional Reading

Wondering How to Clean Your Appliances Sustainably? Eco-Friendly Methods Unveiled

Don't Let Your Dryer Become a Fire Hazard

The Labyrinth of Limescale